Every morning, when at
barbershop, I walk across street to convenience store. I come back with three items – J.B.’s coffee, my coffee and my banana.One morning, as I was waiting in line at register, cashier scanned purchases for customer in front of me. When she came to his coffee she entered amount manually. Seeing amount on screen, he immediately reacted rather strongly.
“Naw! Take that off,” he said. “I’m not about to pay ninety-nine cents for a cup of coffee.” The cashier, without so much as a change in expression, took off ninety-nine cents.
However, it’s what happened next that is a commentary on human nature. The customer asked for a few lottery tickets. Evidently, they weren’t overpriced.
As gentleman headed out door, I stepped to counter and smiled at familiar face behind register.
“Don’t say a word,” she said.
“You know what I’m thinking,” I replied.
“Yeah, I know what you’re thinking,” she said with a smile. “Don’t say it.”
We laughed, and I left – without saying a word. But now I will.
First, a word about perceived value. When, as a boy, I would agonize over whether I ought to spend a certain amount of money on a certain item Dad would say, “Son, it’s worth whatever you’re willing to pay for it.” Similarly, difference in value of a cup of coffee and of a lottery ticket (as well as many other things in life) is difference in whose buying. I wouldn’t give two cents for a lottery ticket. But, obviously others can’t see paying ninety-nine cents for coffee. People have different values.
