Last week I had a 50ish mother ask me what 25% off of $80 was.

For the average person, if you don't use it (practice) you lose it. I assumed she doesn't work with percentages very often.

I count back the change like you do, but today's "modern" day people depend too much on the computer to do it for them.

"Last year, after 12 years as a media specialist in my district, I went back into the classroom to teach 4th grade math and science after the district did away with school librarians. I was stunned that the district's math program (adopted by our curriculum dept. and school board) did not advocate memorization of basic math facts and kids were encouraged to count on fingers and/or use calculators. I know not every child can memorize math facts easily, but all can memorize some! I encourage it, but am told I am not teaching the curriculum the way it is written. I really worry about what will happen when these kids are adults. When I give a quiz on basic facts, you can almost feel a breeze in the classroom from so many kids counting on their fingers. But by the time I get them in 4th grade, their habits are set. They can't add 6 plus 6 yet and I have to teach them multiplication, division, and long division!"

This is exactly what I mean! who the heck is making the rules that good teachers have to follow! Why aren't parents/communities given a talk on these before some board inpliments them - I think it comes down to what saleman is the slickest in conning a board into paying for the plan!
Even way back in the dark ages in the 70s I decided NOT to go into teaching because I couldnt do it my way - I can remember, when in grade school, Dick/Jane books for reading. You cannot read if you do not memorize site words. These words were the ones in the Dick/Jane series. You just have to. You cannot do math if you do not memorize very basic math rules. 3+3 = 6, 3X2 = 6, very basic here. Yes, we all have different ways of how we learn, and a teacher has to teach to the average way in a classroom, but this still does not excuse having children not try. So, a parent has to do flashcard drills in math with their child every night, so a parent has to sit and do reading with a child every night. This is not a bad thing. When did it change that a part of parenting is helping your child learn. This is how we learn to become a literate society. All the stupid convoluted ways the "experts" have twisted learning does not alter the fact that 2 3s end up becoming 6. I really do see a point in home schooling! Once a child grasps the fact of 1+1 = 2, it doesnt matter how they try to "teach" this - even counting on your fingers is valid if its a memory tool - the child has the concept memorized and is ok.

and, not we are not painting every child/ school system in America with the same brush, but (big BUT here) even without any "test scores" sadly, also dumbed down! it is very plain to see we have been dumping down our society to the point we are going to be fit for nothing, as a group, but certain slavery - we are barely literate. In some areas, 50% of children starting kindergarden never graduate HS, and not because they were too bright for it. It only takes 1 generation to halve our abilities; when you lose the basics, grow have kids, you are not capable of passing on that basic information to your own offspring. This is the shame of it.
Take all your interactions with clerks/ assistants/ gov't officials, all the people hired to do a job anywhere you do any kind of transaction for one week; then, count up all those who couldnt do something so basic it should have been learned in grade school. Also, check their ages - the ones who can help you are over 45 to be sure. The younger they get the more inept they become. tsk, tsk, tsk. sharet

And God forbid if your total is $8.10 and you the cashier a 10 dollar bill and a dime it screws them all up. Well, you get the picture.

It takes someone to teach them how to count the change!! When I worked at the grocery store I was amazed at how many needed to be showed how to count back change and how to properly hand people their change! Change first then bills! It just makes sense, atleast to me!

There is a new scam going around here where if you pay by credit or cash card the cashier puts in a cash advance of $20 even though you did not ask for it and you never get that money. so it is best to check your dockets before leaving the counter and report it straight away. I was send an email about this so I thought if I let you know you can all be on your guard.

There is a new scam going around here where if you pay by credit or cash card the cashier puts in a cash advance of $20 even though you did not ask for it and you never get that money. so it is best to check your dockets before leaving the counter and report it straight away. I was send an email about this so I thought if I let you know you can all be on your guard.[/quote]

This is not a new scam but you are correct, always check your receipts before you leave the store. Yes, even if you hold up the line!

My husband hates it when the cashier hands him his bills then dumps the change on top

I deal with the public every day using public transportation. You would not believe how many people do not know what an address is, let alone their own address!

One of our progects as a senior in high school, in Home economics we had to make a baby's dress by hand and also had french seams..and smocking on yoke.That was 1960 and I still have the dress. Love to do handwork still..