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.