Regardless of all of this and being the age of computers and the availability of calculators etc... I think it should still be installed in peoples minds how the calculator came up with the answers. Having a machine come up with the answers for you is still not good enough if a human errs and by mistake hits a wrong key. All people should be able to make change once they realize they have punched in the wrong numbers without having to go back and re do it all. The simple cost will still be the same and if they make the correct change in thier heads the cash register will not be short.
Are People Getting Dumber?
- Thread starter WhaWhaWha
- Start date
some days I'm convinced that there is a finite number that represents the total IQ of the planet... and that unfortunately the population keeps on increasing 
I`ve always had the same natural ability to do similar calculations quickly in my head. Unfortunately with calculators and computers, it`s pretty much a useless talent. It`s surprising how many people have little knowledge of basic math; very often people with university degrees in their field who would be lost if they had to multiply two numbers by hand.WhaWhaWha said:
The group who could benefit the most from math lessons are strippers. About 20% of them have trouble counting songs. You`d think it`s pretty simple: 5 songs -- 1+1+1+1+1= 5; but some will say it was 6 or the odd time 7. Of course that may have more to do with lying than a honest counting mistake. I`ve never had one add it up and come up with less than it actually was.
Oh I've played the "how many songs was that" game plenty of times. I usually go 3 dances before i decide if she stays or goes. I dont even ask how much I just pay. Then she doesnt have a chance to pad the bill. Most dancers pause at the fifth dance to remind me the bill just hit a hundred.
As for math skills, it's only the tip of the iceberg. I took an HTML course some years ago. The instructor was showing us how to insert backgrounds on web pages using HTML code. "Here's one I like", she said. "Authentic 1950s like on Laverne and Shirley". Wasn't that a retro show produced in the 80s about the 60s? If you're going to use dumb TV references, get it right.
I pass restaurants and stores that offer "Dinning Specials", "All item witihn a dollar", And the world suddenly got itself excited about "Buy one get one of equal or lesser value for half off". Would these same people get as excited about a "10 to 25% off" sale?" And so many educated people are watching "American idol", "fear factor", and "Joe Millionaire" which frankly makes the gong show look like McNeil - Lehrer".
And what about this outcome-based education where it doesn't matter if kids know HOW to spell their name as long as they know WHO they are. And it doesn't matter if they KNOW that two plus two was four as long as they have enough self-confidence to ASK how to get to the conclusion of the problem.
In the US we see how the best indicator of the continued mediocrity of children's performance was simply erased. Last year the administrators of the SAT pushed up the scoring standard so that scores just above 400 would now be pushed up to 500. In one fell swoop, the ability to compare today's student scores with those of their predecessors was destroyed. It's also now possible to get a perfect SAT score without getting all the answers correct.
I blame the whole "self-esteem" obsession. It'is not only a waste but probably detrimental. If having kids feel good is top priority, we will be afraid to ask too much of them. In the long run this is a fraud because kids eventually hit reality like a brick wall, in college or work.
As for math skills, it's only the tip of the iceberg. I took an HTML course some years ago. The instructor was showing us how to insert backgrounds on web pages using HTML code. "Here's one I like", she said. "Authentic 1950s like on Laverne and Shirley". Wasn't that a retro show produced in the 80s about the 60s? If you're going to use dumb TV references, get it right.
I pass restaurants and stores that offer "Dinning Specials", "All item witihn a dollar", And the world suddenly got itself excited about "Buy one get one of equal or lesser value for half off". Would these same people get as excited about a "10 to 25% off" sale?" And so many educated people are watching "American idol", "fear factor", and "Joe Millionaire" which frankly makes the gong show look like McNeil - Lehrer".
And what about this outcome-based education where it doesn't matter if kids know HOW to spell their name as long as they know WHO they are. And it doesn't matter if they KNOW that two plus two was four as long as they have enough self-confidence to ASK how to get to the conclusion of the problem.
In the US we see how the best indicator of the continued mediocrity of children's performance was simply erased. Last year the administrators of the SAT pushed up the scoring standard so that scores just above 400 would now be pushed up to 500. In one fell swoop, the ability to compare today's student scores with those of their predecessors was destroyed. It's also now possible to get a perfect SAT score without getting all the answers correct.
I blame the whole "self-esteem" obsession. It'is not only a waste but probably detrimental. If having kids feel good is top priority, we will be afraid to ask too much of them. In the long run this is a fraud because kids eventually hit reality like a brick wall, in college or work.
I agree. In our education system today the teaching of basic math & english skills have been pushed aside for more trendy courses. There hasn't been a demand for students to learn how to read & write. Even in today's technologically advanced society these basics are ignored. It is so sad when we get the resumes from students and recent high school grads and they have no clue how to spell. Even many community college grads can't spell. If I get a resume with spelling errors it gets tossed right away.
We are an American Idol, Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton loving society that basic communication and mathematical skills have been ignored. It isn't the fault of our youth, that is how they were taught and in many cases, how they were raised. Recently a woman in our office was pissed at me because I demanded that a report be grammatically and mathematically correct. She said to me that she didn't think that stuff was all that important, couldn't I understand what she meant? She went on to say that I was "lucky" to have the education I did, although she admitted that math and all that "stuff" didn't interest her, she never understood why they taught all that math & scuence and crap in school. She "didn't need to know it". Interesting comments coming from this woman, who we brought in through a temp agency and was being paid $12/hour. Oh, by the way she was 39 years old! She still doesn't get it! I guess we can blame 16 year olds, when the 39 years olds don't care.
By the way, I have several degrees and paid for all of them out of my own pocket.
We are an American Idol, Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton loving society that basic communication and mathematical skills have been ignored. It isn't the fault of our youth, that is how they were taught and in many cases, how they were raised. Recently a woman in our office was pissed at me because I demanded that a report be grammatically and mathematically correct. She said to me that she didn't think that stuff was all that important, couldn't I understand what she meant? She went on to say that I was "lucky" to have the education I did, although she admitted that math and all that "stuff" didn't interest her, she never understood why they taught all that math & scuence and crap in school. She "didn't need to know it". Interesting comments coming from this woman, who we brought in through a temp agency and was being paid $12/hour. Oh, by the way she was 39 years old! She still doesn't get it! I guess we can blame 16 year olds, when the 39 years olds don't care.
By the way, I have several degrees and paid for all of them out of my own pocket.
The public school system - Usually a twelve year sentence of mind control. Crushing creativity, smashing individulism, encouraging collectivism and compromise, destroying the exercise of intellectual inquiry, twisting it instead into meek subservience to athourity.
Watler Karp
The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
Albert Einstein
Watler Karp
The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
Albert Einstein
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proof!
was in line at Tim Horton's and this 60'ish guy approaches the counter,and asks the cashier if Timmies had a second cup policy,then mumbles something about telling his wife or her telling him,blah blah blah,wtf! what rock did these two crawl out from under,there is no coffee shop in this area that has a second cup free,where have these people been,dah!
was in line at Tim Horton's and this 60'ish guy approaches the counter,and asks the cashier if Timmies had a second cup policy,then mumbles something about telling his wife or her telling him,blah blah blah,wtf! what rock did these two crawl out from under,there is no coffee shop in this area that has a second cup free,where have these people been,dah!
I am afraid for the "now" generation. Let me explain.
I happen to go to Home Depot for a few things(ha ha...anybody who gets out of this store without a second mortgage does well). Anyway I wander around this mecca for the home handiman(snicker...I am regularly missing fingernails from my trusty hammer) and purchase more then I originally came for. My bill came to two hundred and change...so I give the girl $250 in fifties. Now my change should have been 23 or 24 something. She gives me back $123 and change as well as my receipt. I am standing there looking at my hand and ask her...are you sure this change is correct??? She says to me in the most sarcastic tone....yes sir I am sure, my register gives me the exact amount when I punch in your purchase. There has never been any problems before sir. Well I look at my bill and she did punch in the correct amount on everything but the register totalled up the change wrong...to the tune of another 100 dollars. By this time the manager came around and asks what the problem was...I explain...and get the same answer from him that I got from her!!!! By this time I realize that no matter what I say they are not going to believe me as I do not have a LCD screen spitting out numbers for them. I leave with my purchases....$100 richer...and much more worried about the state of our society when simple math or even the art of listening has been thrown aside for computers.
I happen to go to Home Depot for a few things(ha ha...anybody who gets out of this store without a second mortgage does well). Anyway I wander around this mecca for the home handiman(snicker...I am regularly missing fingernails from my trusty hammer) and purchase more then I originally came for. My bill came to two hundred and change...so I give the girl $250 in fifties. Now my change should have been 23 or 24 something. She gives me back $123 and change as well as my receipt. I am standing there looking at my hand and ask her...are you sure this change is correct??? She says to me in the most sarcastic tone....yes sir I am sure, my register gives me the exact amount when I punch in your purchase. There has never been any problems before sir. Well I look at my bill and she did punch in the correct amount on everything but the register totalled up the change wrong...to the tune of another 100 dollars. By this time the manager came around and asks what the problem was...I explain...and get the same answer from him that I got from her!!!! By this time I realize that no matter what I say they are not going to believe me as I do not have a LCD screen spitting out numbers for them. I leave with my purchases....$100 richer...and much more worried about the state of our society when simple math or even the art of listening has been thrown aside for computers.
So I'm at McDonalds getting ice cream. The register rings up 3.19. I give her a five and she starts making change for a 20 - kinda like paper moon in reverse. Then she stops herself, puts it all back and makes change for the original five. Then she asks me, sorry did you give me a five or a twenty? Golden opportunity here, but not feeling too strapped I tell her five. I wonder how many people a day benefit from this buffoonery?
Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for
authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in
place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room;
they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their
food and tyrannize their teachers.
(Socrates, 5th Century BC)
authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in
place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room;
they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their
food and tyrannize their teachers.
(Socrates, 5th Century BC)
rama putri said:
Of course you are human but you have none of these faults do you ?
Myself I am greedy .
DrManiac said:
I bought one item at Rona I asked the girl the total price which of course was on her register which I couldn't see . She told me the total lets say 9.95 I said 9.95 she said yes only 2 minutes later did she of course realize she was giving me the price without tax , she apologize dbut really the register showed price tax and total , how hard is this ?
I'm in PizzaPizza one late night having a slice and a pop. I was sitting in a window seat close to the cash. A guy walks in and asks the counter girl
"Do you sell cigarettes here?"
She answers back in a very loud voice
"Are you CRAZY? This is PizzaPizza. We sell pizza! HELLO... Why would we sell cigarettes?"
I couldn't believe my ears.
On top of that though she tells the next two people who come in to get slices.
"You know I had a guy come in here five mins ago and he asks me if we sell cigarettes. How dumb is that?"
Everyone gives her strange looks.
The kicker of this story was that all this time all of this was in earshot of the manager.
He finally comes up to her and says,
"Well actually we use to sell cigarettes here a few years ago before we renovated"
She says back to the manager,
"Why would you sell cigarettes in a pizza place? That's stupid"
Want to know IMO the most stupid thing of all?
I went back there one night a week or so later. And she was still working there.
"Do you sell cigarettes here?"
She answers back in a very loud voice
"Are you CRAZY? This is PizzaPizza. We sell pizza! HELLO... Why would we sell cigarettes?"
I couldn't believe my ears.
On top of that though she tells the next two people who come in to get slices.
"You know I had a guy come in here five mins ago and he asks me if we sell cigarettes. How dumb is that?"
Everyone gives her strange looks.
The kicker of this story was that all this time all of this was in earshot of the manager.
He finally comes up to her and says,
"Well actually we use to sell cigarettes here a few years ago before we renovated"
She says back to the manager,
"Why would you sell cigarettes in a pizza place? That's stupid"
Want to know IMO the most stupid thing of all?
I went back there one night a week or so later. And she was still working there.
OK Now how about some dumb customer stories…
OK Now how about some dumb customer stories…
I been reading on this thread a few bad service or dumb staff stories how about some dumb customer stories?
I’ll start off.
Years ago I was working at Home & Rural Appliances as Assistant Manager / retail sales person.
I always answer the phone “Home and Rural, can I help you?”
So one day I answer the phone in a very clear voice “Home and Rural, can I help you please?”
Customer: “Is this Home and Rural?”
Me: ‘Yes sir, how can I help you?”
Customer: “Can I speak to someone in sales?”
Me: “Yes sir, you are speaking the sales dept, are you looking for something special?”
Customer: “So you are a salesman then?”
Me: “Yes sir, I am the Assistant Sales Manager”
Customer: “And this is the Mississauga store, right?”
Me: “Yes sir we are on Dundas near Dixie”
Customer “So you are in Mississauga then?”
Me: “Yes sir, next door to Ponderosa on south side of Dundas, just east of Dixie”
Customer “Dundas in Mississauga right?”
Me: “Yes sir”
Customer “Oh yah you are just down the street from The Brick right?”
Me: “Yes sir, not too far from there”
Customer: “Is that a good store, The Brick?”
Me: “I don’t know sir, I have never been there”
Customer: “You have never been to The Brick before?”
Me: “No, never”
Customer: “So you have never ever been to The Brick ever, so you can’t tell me anything about them at all?”
Me: “No, sorry… I can only tell you about Home & Rural, I work here, not The Brick”
Customer: “ummm, I think I’ll give them a call, I have some questions to ask them, I’ll call you back later”
Me: “Ok sir, thanks for calling” “Bye”
Thank God he never called back. lmao.
OK Now how about some dumb customer stories…
I been reading on this thread a few bad service or dumb staff stories how about some dumb customer stories?
I’ll start off.
Years ago I was working at Home & Rural Appliances as Assistant Manager / retail sales person.
I always answer the phone “Home and Rural, can I help you?”
So one day I answer the phone in a very clear voice “Home and Rural, can I help you please?”
Customer: “Is this Home and Rural?”
Me: ‘Yes sir, how can I help you?”
Customer: “Can I speak to someone in sales?”
Me: “Yes sir, you are speaking the sales dept, are you looking for something special?”
Customer: “So you are a salesman then?”
Me: “Yes sir, I am the Assistant Sales Manager”
Customer: “And this is the Mississauga store, right?”
Me: “Yes sir we are on Dundas near Dixie”
Customer “So you are in Mississauga then?”
Me: “Yes sir, next door to Ponderosa on south side of Dundas, just east of Dixie”
Customer “Dundas in Mississauga right?”
Me: “Yes sir”
Customer “Oh yah you are just down the street from The Brick right?”
Me: “Yes sir, not too far from there”
Customer: “Is that a good store, The Brick?”
Me: “I don’t know sir, I have never been there”
Customer: “You have never been to The Brick before?”
Me: “No, never”
Customer: “So you have never ever been to The Brick ever, so you can’t tell me anything about them at all?”
Me: “No, sorry… I can only tell you about Home & Rural, I work here, not The Brick”
Customer: “ummm, I think I’ll give them a call, I have some questions to ask them, I’ll call you back later”
Me: “Ok sir, thanks for calling” “Bye”
Thank God he never called back. lmao.
