Is it disrespectful for a customer to lay their money on the counter, instead of handing you their money?

Question

Me personally, I think it's wrong. Would I be wrong for giving them their change back on the counter ?

Answer 1

Not at all, that's actually the preferred method of cash exchanges in most of Europe. I thought it was weird when it first happened to me.

Answer 2

When I worked as a cashier I handled it the way the customer did. If they handed me the money, I handed them the change. If they put it on the counter, I counted the change out on the counter. I had one customer complain to the manager that I didn't hand her the change. In front of the customer, I told the manager that I assumed that the customer didn't want to come in contact with me since she had set the money on the counter and that i was just following her example. The next time she was in my line, she handed me the money, and I handed her the change. :)

Answer 3

I worked in a convenience store for a number of years. I too found that people of certain cultures were offended if you did not give them their change in their hand. I was told that it made them feel like I did not want to touch them. Since then, I always hand the cashier or anyone that I am giving change to their money in their hand.

I am sure putting the money on the counter would make you feel better and might make a point and help them realize that what they are doing is offensive.

Or you could skip that and put the money in their hand and treat them how you want to be treated. I have found that always makes me feel better. Most of the time, someone that is being rude doesn't have the sense to realize I am trying to make a point anyway.

So, I prefer to do what I feel is right. Bottom line, you have to decide for yourself what you think is right in this case.

Answer 4

I don't think most people who do that are being disrespectful. My mother used to lie it on the counter and she was the most polite, curteous, respectful woman you would ever want to know. She was even nice and polite when people were rude. I have noticed that cashiers give it to us back in our hand though so I assume that is how they want to receive it also. Normally when I grocery shop or clothes shop I use my debit card, so this problem is solved.

At the Wal-Mart in my town, a couple of the cashiers wear those disposable gloves. That seems a little too much to me. I know there are germs everywhere, but they can wash their hands before they eat. I don't take offense at it though.

Answer 5

No, I don't. Knowing all the diseases, viruses, etc floating around, I'd just as soon limit my contact with the hands of others. It's bad enough I have to handle money, I don't want to be touching the people who touched it before me.
We have hand sanitizer and/or sanitary wipes at every cash register, by the time clock, at the deli counter (for customers) and in our break room.
I also do not count change back into everyone's hand.

Answer 6

I think if they lay bills down and then are digging for change, that is ok. However if you have your hand held out to receive the money and they lay it on the counter, that is rude! They can say all they want about avoiding germs, but they probably got more germs from touching the money than they would have on the off chance they had touched your hand!

Answer 7

I worked in a convenience store part time while I was in college, and people quite frequently did this. What--I don't have leprosy--just hand me the f'ing money!! When I encountered people who put the money on the counter, I put their change on the counter. They actually had the NERVE to look upset because I didn't hand them their change. Sorry pal--two can play at this game!

Answer 8

Maybe A little bit, but there are some phobics that do not like touching other people, so you must be understanding. It is RUDE when customers throw money at you, or flick the cash to you as they take it out of their wallet. I have always wanted to give them their change the way they toss the money at me. As a cashier, you must take the higher road....make it overly obvious when you give them their change that you are doing it properly...maybe they will get the hint.

Answer 9

No, If it's change and they are counting it, it's O.K.
I've worked as a cashier at the airport and I've had all sorts of customers. The only thing I find disrespectful is throwing all your change at me and expecting me to count it for you! Especially $28 dollars worth.
I've always handed change in one hand and paper money in the other no matter what. Except for those who threw their change at me!

Answer 10

This seems to be a cultural difference that I've noticed in my neighborhood which is roughly split Asian/Black/Hispanic/white. There have actually been disputes between Asian store owners and black customers who felt they were being dissed when their change was not counted back to them in their palm. Yes - this is a generality. Of course, not every store owner or customer of a certain race will always behave the same way... just a recent observation.

Answer 11

No, it's not. Don't you notice that in most casinos, you have to lay the money on the table and not hand them directly to the dealers? In the same way, the cashier shouldn't take offense in checkout counters.