On this rainy Saturday we ventured by U-Bahn into Frankfurt, so our daughter could see the movie New Moon.

As her brother did not want to see the movie, nor stand in line with us, I gave him a 20 euro bill to go across the street to Subway to have himself a sandwich, while waiting for me.

Then I gave my daughter a 20 euro bill so she could buy some of this overpriced popcorn and a small soda from the concession stand at the English movie theatre.

2:07 p.m.

At the theatre, I had to wait  behind the roped-off section so my daughter could hand me back the change. She was shortchanged by 10 euro and I told her immediately to turn around and make a claim. She still had everything in her hand, the same way she had picked it up. Popcorn in her left arm, soda in her left hand, and an open hand reflecting the coins. Her total came to € 6,40 and her change should have been € 13,60. There was a bit of a discussion, she had to state three times that she had paid with a blue 20 euro bill, and not with a 10 euro bill.

2:12 p.m.

I go across the street to meet up with our son and I remember thinking I might have a sandwich there too. When I got there, he proceeded to take out his change and mentioned that it did not look right, but thought he would wait for me (he knows better now). Again – he had been shortchanged by 5 euro.

We went up to the cashier, he said it had to be right, he was not willing to pay it out of his own pocket. Of course, my son should have made a claim right away, but this was not the issue. I had an issue – both of my kids getting shortchanged within five minutes of arriving in Frankfurt.

I mentioned calling the police. Then the cashier proceeded to graciously count the till and voilà, somehow the till was 5 euro over. I had worked in retail before, so I knew this little show was just a demonstration for saving his face.

There are honest mistakes as well, of course. But after these incidents, of course, all the others come to mind. Like shopping in Bad Homburg where I sent my daughter in with a 10 euro bill to buy some little hair accessory for herself and she comes out shortchanged by five euro. Again, I have to go in the store and spend my time and energy just for my rightful change.

Later on I took the time to explain the facts of life to my kids. Another lesson learned – one for myself, one for them. They know now to ask for a receipt, to double-check the change right away, and to confront any doubtful transactions immediately.

It is a sad fact of life that kids sometimes get the shorter end of the stick.