Grannymar has explained it quite well…but in our particular case no ‘cash’ is to be left on the premises, not even a few $$ left to start up for the day. Here we call it a ‘float’ maybe it is something left over from the Commonwealth country/English days.

Again didn”t even imagine that a simple word like ‘float’ might cause someone a language description problem.

English is a strange language!
.-= Cathy in NZ´s last blog ..SUMMER & SUN =-.

Cathy,
My eyes have been my handicap. There are things other people have to do because I can’t. I try to make up for it by making a contribution in other ways.

Mike,
I would hate to be in retail sales. I do my Christmas shopping long before Christmas so we can ignore the mania. Our Christmases have always been low key.

When working in a shop, the sales person needs cash for the till/register at the beginning of the day. It is called a float and made up of a number of each of the coins plus some small notes. Why? Well if the first three or four customers come in to buy a paper and want change for a large $Bill, you need money to give it to them in change.

Poor you in the cold with no electricity. That happens here too, usually in extreme weather. I have to keep a supply of candles, matches, and a small camping stove to cook on, for emergencies. They are used at least once a year. At least I have an open fire when the heat goes off. One year it was so cold I kept the fire going all night and brought the duvet and pillows out and slept on the settee.

I hope you thaw out soon.
.-= Grannymar´s last blog ..Thursday Special ~ Tests =-.

Jean – Our daughter is in management at a JC Penny in a metro area mall. When she was working in one locally, for years she resisted any suggestion that she move into management, though she ended up having a lot of the responsibilities without the pay. When she finally decided to go for it, her year as a manager trainee was a breeze. She generally thrives on it, except this time of year. She used to be really big on the tradition of Christmas, but working in retail in an anchor store in a metro mall has really ruined it for her… at least for now.
.-= Mike Goad´s last blog ..Scaling back a bit =-.

“Today, it’s hot and sticky…” Must be nice. Today we have 2 feet of snow, 30F is our high. (-0.6C Tom told me this, but didn’t have time to figure it exactly.) It was 9F when he got up.

Yesterday we didn’t have electricity most of day, which means no heat in house, no cooking, what time is it? etc.

I have to ask for help! I’ve got a couple of handy-men who love to stand on the stool/other and change the ceiling light bulbs.

I try to get ‘most’ things from everywhere on my own…when I do the food shopping, I have be mindful that I don’t own a car and have to ‘carry’ it all home. I often have to do 3 trips if the supplies have gotten down. I have to weigh up the consequences.

Today, it’s hot and sticky but I had a doctors appt…I was hoping for an aircon bus but I didn’t score it either way. It’s not far but it’s too far to walk even on a nice cool day.

But what I can’t stand is other ‘idiots’ who can’t follow simple directions…I belong to an organisation where I am the manager of the ‘shop’ and because of my new life during the Academic year I cannot be there during the w/days so a new system was put in place. I made a simplified list so the people could manage. The first line says: Bring a float and then tells them what coinage/notes. The very first time, a new assistants had to do this – there were 2 of them! Neither bought a float!!!!!

there is probably a whole blog post waiting in the wings on this subject alone
.-= Cathy in NZ´s last blog ..SUMMER & SUN =-.

I think feigned competence and incompetence, both can land you in deep trouble, if you don’t play it safe. It really depends on the kind of situation and the person you are interacting with and also if feigning your capabilities or incapabilities is really going to make things any better for you!
.-= Anu´s last blog ..Fractured Soul =-.