Pet Peeve: Improper Mathematics on Signage
Yes, I may be slightly crazy. But, my biggest pet peeve has got to be one that others share. I'm not alone, right? Everyone gets annoyed when a sign is mathematically incorrect, don't they?
I was never very good at math, but one thing I did learn was the difference between a dollar sign and the cents symbol. It's not a difficult concept, but somewhere along the line we have become lazy with the usage of these representations. We, as consumers and sign makers, have come to accept that close enough is good enough.
Let me explain. Have you ever been to a grocery store and seen something advertised for .99? You just take for granted that the advertiser meant somewhere around a dollar, right? But, that's not what's written. What is being advertised is that you will get that item for 99 one hundredths of a penny. That's right, not quite one red cent. Think about that the next time you look at sign in a grocery store.
This has been a pet peeve of mine for awhile now. Because of this I am very aware of the misusage of the cent sign and become irate at times when I see what I can only assume is laziness. My frustration came out one spring day a couple of years ago. My family (two children, my husband, and I) were driving down the road and spotted a Sonic restaurant. The establishment had a road-side sign advertising "Ice cream sundaes .99. "Score," I said to my husband. The look on his face told me he knew I was up to no good. "Please turn around and go into the Sonic. I'm going to need to go up to the window, so don't bother pulling up to one of the drive-ups, please."
My husband granted my request, though he still wasn't sure why. He gave me a quizzical look as I hopped out of the car and told him I would be right back.
At the ordering window I demanded to speak with a manager. "Sir," I began respectfully, "do you know what your sign out front says?"
"Yes, ma'am," he replied. "I just posted it myself this morning."
"Interesting," I said. "The sign says that I can purchase an ice cream sundae for less than a penny. I'm wondering if you have a .99 key on your cash register. I would like to order 4, please. With tax that should come to just about a nickel. I'm sure I have one here somewhere." I started to dig into my purse as the manager looked at me like I was loony. I probably was, but that is really beside the point now, isn't it?
"I'm afraid I don't understand," the Sonic manager started. He was beginning to back away from me. I wonder if he thought I was rummaging in my purse in search of a weapon.
I slowly explained, "Sir, with all due respect. Your sign says that ice cream sundaes are 99 one hundredths of a penny. I would like to have the advertised price, please."
"No," the manager said with a confused look on his face. "The sign says the ice cream is 99 cents."
"Hmmmmm. I'm pretty sure that point 99 means that the cost is less than a penny. I bet we can look that up in a math book and find out, though."
Suddenly the manager had a surprised look on his face. "I understand what you are saying now, ma'am. You are, in fact, correct. Wow, we've been doing the signs like that for years. You're the first one to say anything, though.
"Great, can I get my four sundaes for a nickel, then? I'm not sure exactly how you'll figure the tax on that one, but I'm sure a nickel should cover it."
"Please, just take the ice cream on the house."
"And you'll change the sign right away, right?" I inquired.
"Yes, I'm heading that way now," he answered.
"Great. Thank you. It really drives me nuts to see signs that are mathematically incorrect. I appreciate it."
After finishing our ice cream at the outdoor tables, my family decided to stop at Blockbuster and rent a movie. When we arrived at the counter, I noticed a stack of calendars on sale for .99. "Excuse me," I started. "May I speak with your manager?"
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