Robbery Without a Gun
Categories: LifeWhen I was 17-18 years old, I worked as a waiter at a barbeque restaurant in my hometown. (This was after my stint at the Chick-a-burger.) Usually I worked in the main restaurant, but sometimes I’d be put to work on a party in one of the four back rooms, and on rare occasions I’d be put at the take-out counter.
One night when I was at the take-out counter, I got swindled. A man came in during our busiest time, and ordered an iced tea. I poured his tea, and rang up the sale.
The man handed me a $20 bill (for a sale of less than a dollar). As I started pulling his change out of the register, he interrupted me to give me a different combo of money to pay for the tea. He had me giving him back his twenty, taking his change, receiving more money, making more change, and pretty quickly and easily he had me completely lost.
The whole transaction took less than two minutes, and then he left with his tea, and with forty extra bucks in his pocket. I had a feeling that he had cheated me, but he was so skilled and smooth with it all that I couldn’t figure out exactly what had happened.
I was just 17 years old, and had never even heard of someone doing a trick like that. I’d never been told to look out for such cons, or what to do when I suspect one is happening. All I knew about running a register was that you’re supposed to be nice to the customer.
After the man left, and I closed the register (still not totally sure what had happened), a middle-age woman customer spoke up to me, “He just worked a con on you.”
My coworker, another middle-age woman, commented, “Yeah, he got that over on you.”
I didn’t say it at the time, but I definitely thought, “Well why the hell didn’t either of you speak up while the guy was doing it?” I mean, at least the coworker should have done something — she was older, more experienced, and more senior.
It right pissed me off at the time that they both just let it happen. And then they felt the need to virtually point at me and laugh.
But upon thinking on it later, I came to think neither woman actually realized what was happening until the man walked out. I think they were as surprised and lost as I was. But it still annoyed me that both felt the need to tell me I got conned without any sympathy or advice.
Then, just recently, I think I was an outside witness to such a con. To be continued.
Bullgrit
Ugh! That almost happened to me once when I was about 19. I didn’t realize at the time that the person knew what she was doing…I just thought I was having a blonde (quiet over there, Brogrit!) moment. I stopped the transaction early in and started over. I think it turned out right…the register balanced. Did you have to cough up the money to balance yours?
Fortunately, I didn’t have to personally cover the loss.
That happened to me at Shed House 20+ years ago – although after a minute, I kind of got clued in and then refused to give him any more change until he came back the next morning after I had counted down the drawer. He gave me such a fight and I was peeing my pants, but I ultimately won and he never did come back the next day. However, he did wind up scamming me out of $10 bucks.
This reminds me of a terrible incident I had years back. I have been conned like as if it was a hypnosis. Literally gave away my personal jewellery to this guy.
It really is difficult to stay alert. So the most important thing I have learnt is to deal with money when I am tired. If I have to pay bills, I make sure I don’t have too many chores to handle that day, in case I miss out on payment or something.
ive had it start to me before…but, being a little more street wise than bullgrit, i caught it early and the guys left.( yes i know he was 17, and i stiil dont think he could catch on to it even now…especially were im at). now, lets just wait for the continuation…
Thats rough!! They used the good ole confusion tactic on you. I feel you brogrit. Ive got alot of street smarts and can usually tell when someones trying to get over on me…you know the saying “you can’t hustle a hustler!” Anyway I can see where bullgrit was coming from. When your young and naive it can be hard to catch yourself before its too late.