question for people who have worked behind the counter

[Bartdog]

Is it rude for a customer to put the money on the counter instead of into your hand?

cool story bro:
We have this deli downstairs where I buy a large unsweet tea 2-3 times per day. They all know me and usually have it ready by the time I get to the register. Except for this one chick. She seems to be mad at the world most days but I try to be cheerful. Well today I got a clue as to why I might not be her favorite person. I fumble through my wallet trying get past all the hudies and get three singles. As I find them I put them on the counter. She says "can you put it in my hand next time?" I had to ask her to repeat herself because it was fairly quiet and I was a little shocked. I said "sure," smiled and went on my way.

tldr: I put the money on the counter and got called on it.

 

[FSU_UCLA]

It would never occur to me to put the money on the counter, rather than to hand it directly to the person. I am curious about how that habit began.

 

[FSUDoles]

Is it rude for a customer to put the money on the counter instead of into your hand?

cool story bro:
We have this deli downstairs where I buy a large unsweet tea 2-3 times per day. They all know me and usually have it ready by the time I get to the register. Except for this one chick. She seems to be mad at the world most days but I try to be cheerful. Well today I got a clue as to why I might not be her favorite person. I fumble through my wallet trying get past all the hudies and get three singles. As I find them I put them on the counter. She says "can you put it in my hand next time?" I had to ask her to repeat herself because it was fairly quiet and I was a little shocked. I said "sure," smiled and went on my way.

tldr: I put the money on the counter and got called on it.

“Can you put ‘it’ in my hand next time”? That’s what she said.... : )

Maybe she actually likes you....a lot!

 

[riseboi]

For the most part, I don't think its rude.

Back in college, I worked as a cashier at Old Navy. Occasionally, people would put cash on the counter instead of my hands. Never was offended by it.

Sometimes, I think it was their way of sort of laying out the cash to make sure they gave the right amount (sorta like when you withdraw cash from the bank teller and they count out the cash in front of you.) Other times, I may have still been busy ringing up and bagging their stuff that they preemptively sat the money down instead of waiting however long to put it my hand. Also, I think some people are germophobic and just don't want to risk touching other people. And finally, I think some people would just toss down money because I was some lowly cashier and I was beneath them; not that I think that was you with your encounter.

 

[Bartdog]

It would never occur to me to put the money on the counter, rather than to hand it directly to the person. I am curious about how that habit began.

Like I said, I fumble around a lot to find the money. Think of a person counting out nickels to buy a pack of smokes. I'm using both hands. I put each dollar bill down as soon as I find it. I think some of it is because I'm trying to not hold up the line (more than I already am).

 

[squiffynole]

Never let a customer divert your attention while freeing his hands.
- Survival Guide: Working Retail in Miami-

 

[SoddyNole]

That is a lot of tea you are drinking.

 

[MIKE_G]

I drop crumpled bills on the ground in front of them like I’m paying a hooker.

 

[Dr. Nole]

Usually I leave the $ on the nightstand

 

[Renegade 86]

Back when I was a young Seminole working part time behind a sporting goods counter, I preferred it if the customer put the money in my hand (98%), but if they laid it on the counter (2%) in a nice manner that was no biggie. Once had an old black lady reach into her bra and pull out a twenty to hand to me. I said you can put it on the counter.

 

[travnole]

I’m more concerned with someone’s sanity for paying $9 a day on tea.

 

[SoddyNole]

 

[amicusnole]

I assume the cashier is standing there with her hand outstretched waiting for the money when you instead slap it on the counter. Yes, rude.

 

[wbnolefan2]

Criminal that unsweetened tea costs that much !!

 

[goldmom]

I work part time at a car dealership, helping out where I'm needed. Lately I've been helping in the cafe, and I work the register. 90% of the time I'm handed the money, or they use plastic. It's never occurred to me to waste time being offended if they put money on the counter. I make change if needed, thank them, wish them a nice day and move on.
Literally not a big deal.

 

[Bartdog]

I assume the cashier is standing there with her hand outstretched waiting for the money when you instead slap it on the counter. Yes, rude.

No, she's not

 

[Bartdog]

The tea costs $2.10. The manager usually hands me back the third dollar instead of counting out $. 90 in change

 

[MagNoleA]

I work part time at a car dealership, helping out where I'm needed. Lately I've been helping in the cafe, and I work the register. 90% of the time I'm handed the money, or they use plastic. It's never occurred to me to waste time being offended if they put money on the counter. I make change if needed, thank them, wish them a nice day and move on.
Literally not a big deal.

Counters are great to work on or behind! Its the fabric of the all american enterprise and dream.

 

[FSU_UCLA]

Seems like the entire situation would be avoided by simply having three bucks in your hand before getting to the counter, especially since you know exactly how much you are going to spend each time.

 

[fsuguy1983]

Complete non-issue IMO. Soft society these days letting something this trivial work you up...

 

[F4Gary]

Ridiculous. She is being petty.

 

[amicusnole]

No, she's not

In that case, it's her issue. If she has her hand out, but the customer slaps the money on the counter, that's kind of rude. But if she doesn't have her hand out, that's her problem.

 

[MIKE_G]

Pay in pennies next time. And hand her each one individually.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I always put money on the counter, well I barely use cash, but when I do it’s on the counter.

I do not like touching other people and I want exactly what I paid to be on the security camera. Habit from Vegas.

No one has ever seemed to be taken aback. Your cashier just seems like a weirdo.

 

[JMGNole]

I don't ever recall being insulted by how someone gave me their money. The fact that you're trying to move things along should be appreciated. A roll of nickels, and ten pennies next time.

 

[Godzillaaa]

Oh yes, this happened to me at Marshalls near the Gov. Square Mall in Tallahassee. When checking out, the female cashier told me the same thing, after I had put the money on the counter. She was busy at the time, and NOT holding out her hand. I put the money on the counter so she could have it when she was ready and so I didn't have to stand there holding it. She got very upset and told me I can put it in her hand, and proceeded to argue and berate with the wife and I as we checked out. It angered me so much I got the manager afterwords and let them absolutely have it over the rude cashier. And if you are wondering, yes I believe there was a racial issue on the cashier's part against me. From now on I try to put it in the cashier's hand so they don't freak out.

 

[RealtyNole]

I’m really bad about not wanting to touch people’s hands when I exchange money. And I usually sanitize afterwards.

 

[ericram]

Usually I leave the $ on the nightstand

This deserved a like for effort.

 

[2noles1cup]

Feels rude whenever I do it unless I’m sitting at a bar or restaurant where I put it on the check, andthey May walk away to take care of other customers.

 

[MagNoleA]

Placement on counters is a vital thing for ultimate success.

 

[Bartdog]

Just realized something today. This chick has long nails, ridiculously long . Like over an inch. She actually has trouble picking things up off the counter.

 

[F4Gary]

Just realized something today. This chick has long nails, ridiculously long . Like over an inch. She actually has trouble picking things up off the counter.

Her problem, not yours.