When will we Change?

Yesterday, at Subway, Oberoi Mall, I ordered an Aloo Patty at the bargain price of Rs.50. I was wondering whether I should pay by Rs.500 or remove the Rs.100 emergency note that I had hidden. I decided on the Rs.100. Guess what -- the guy at the counter almost barked at me -- Give me Rs.50? I was shocked -- the hyper sensitive soul that I am! I did give him a Rs.50 note that I had.

I have seen people give Rs.500 to pay for Bus tickets! For share taxi fare of Rs.20! Someone I know even gives these to pay autorickshaw fares! None of these people felt guilty. Here, I was, made to feel awful just because I paid Rs.100 when the amount payable was Rs.50.

In many malls, theatres I have had this horrid experience of no change. So invariably I ask if they have change upfront and only then carry out the transaction. I walk away proudly when they say they have no change!

Honestly, it is beyond me to understand how these people do business? How can you do business without change? The question is -- when will people change? When will businesses have enough change so that we don't have to ask whether they have change before we do a transaction?

PVR is a multi-plex which I love to hate! I like it in many respects but hate it for a few reasons -- the rates are never displayed, very exorbitant prices for evenings and weekends. One more reason -- sometimes even they say they do not have change! Yesterday, he could not give me change for Rs.500 and I paid Rs.130 by credit card! (or was that on some other day!)

In USA, in any mall, any retail outlet, I have never faced the change problem. This was a long time ago. I remember how the malls keep the 25 cents (which they get in nice round cylinders from the banks or wherever). Not sure now, whether it was 25 cents. But basically they would give back the complete change. NEVER, NEVER would they ever ask for change irrespective of the amount you gave them. At D'Mart/Reliance I am always frightened at how they will demand change! Even from a very thoughtful customer like me -- who always offers whatever change is asked for!

I loved the Hong Kong Taxi guys. They too had plenty of 10 cents coins (again not sure of the denomination). So if the fare was 9.90 -- they would insist on happily (with a broad smile) returning you the 10 cents. Yes, positively insist! Here taxi and autorikshaw wallahs will happily filch Rs10 or Rs20 claiming that they have no change!

Business -- can you please understand that you are doing business! You need change to do business.

While businesses must change, people should also change! Imagine 10 customers all paying with Rs.500 or Rs.1000 notes at the start of the day!

How do you manage change? Do you also have change problems? Do share them with me?