Always a Student
When my wife and I checked out of a restaurant yesterday, I handed my meal ticket and a $100 bill to the cashier, who happened to be about 8 years old. (Yes a parent was there watching over her).
The cashier entered the ticket amount into the cash register, the money drawer opened, she quickly checked the $100 bill to make sure it was not counterfeit. She then moistened her fingers on a damp cloth, counted out my change, closed the drawer and said "thank you". This all happened within about 10 seconds. The change amount was not showing on the cash register display yet she counted me back the exact change, including coins.
She handled the transaction as quickly and confidently as I have ever seen a cashier, much less a child. I had to find out how she did the math so quickly in her head, so I ask her. "How did you know the amount of change to give me without having the cash register calculate it for you?"
Her response, "A $100 bill has five 20's, so I first counted you back four of the 20's and took the amount you owed out of the fifth twenty. I then counted back up to the 20 starting at the amount you owed."
"Oh, I see", said I, then turned walked off, awe struck by this child's confidence and poise. I was given a math lesson by a child, one that will help me "make change" in the future.
The point of the story for me is that I always have to be willing to be a student, no matter the teacher. Always be willing to ask why, how, what, etc.
How does this apply to my WA experience? I have to be willing to ask the questions, because there is always another lesson to learn.
Recent Comments
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This 8yr-old girl is smart, thanks very much for a nice story. :)
I agree also that we must be willing to ask the questions, that's how we learn the steps to improve our websites and lives too, one-step at a time daily in order to achieve what we need in life. :)
I used to teach the children in this fashion. I understand that having registers set up to tell the cashier the change needed is faster and helps to prevent mistakes but I think it is appalling that so many cashiers today do not know how to make change for a sale without the aid of the cash register. I really enjoyed your post! A good story with a good point!
Very smart young lady, I love this article because not only did you learn something but she is being taught the importance of work and responsibility. Very impressive, thank you for sharing this story:)
When we 'dare' to take that step to 'ask'...for help, for guidance, for instruction....the rewards are multiple....we break down barriers between ourselves and others, we affirm that we are NOT the 'ends and means of all'....we open ourselves and expand personal horizons...even though asking a simple question may not seem like much....it IS!
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Right, if we are ever-learning, we will be ever-growing. Thanks for sharing!
Van