98 Cents

Last Friday night I went to Wal-Mart with a couple friends (Kim and Lauren) to pick up some ingredients for Asian pudding (I mean, it could have had a better name, but was still delicious). On our escapade I decided to buy a Red Bull. It had been a long day and with our pending fort building, movie watching, and eventual sleepover in the cards, I knew I had to be on top of my game. The red bull was $1.83. I thought for sure I would be safely under $2. Nope. The cashier rung up the beverage and said the total was $2.02. I turned to my friends, pleading for change. My pleads turned into a blatantly obvious whining attempt for the attendant to just offer 2 cents to me. Kim had zero change and the cashier didn't take the bait. I quickly searched for the "Pennies for Everyone" bowl. No dice. I then directly asked her, "Do you have 2 cents I could use? I really don't want to get 98 cents back." Stone-faced,while acting like she was browsing her surroundings, she said "No I ain't got 2 cents." I thought to myself: No way is this happening. I forked over $3 and the cashier, while handing me my receipt, said "And 98 cents is your change." NO SHIT! I knew that. I didn't want 98 cents to be my change. I pleaded, whined, begged not to get 98 cents back and lost some dignity in doing so.

There is nothing more painful to me than getting 95+ cents back on the purchase of an item. One of the top three things I cannot stand. It makes me crazy. Absolutely crazy. American mandate should include a designated "Pennies for Everyone" bowl at EVERY place of business in America. I mean, this pain should be inflicted on the people. It can easily be avoided.