Nickel & Dime

We got a note from M’s school informing us we were “delinquent” on her cafeteria charges. This is the second note we’ve gotten.

But M doesn’t eat in the cafeteria. She’s a lunchbox. The first time it happened we asked her and she admitted having breakfast one day, because it “looked so good”. And how can I blame her, I do the same thing…mummm bacon. Must. Eat. Bacon.

The charges were actually more than just one breakfast, but it was a small amount and we just paid it and went on.

This time I ask M if she’s eaten again. She said she hadn’t, not since we told her not to. Any kid can fib, but she’s a good kid who generally listens to our instructions. Plus, she’s only 6 and she hasn’t mastered the art of lying yet, so it’s pretty obvious when she tries to. So I believe her.

So I call the school cafeteria. The lady totally brushed me off – it’s was an issue with the teacher, they rely on the teachers giving them the information so I’ll have to address it with her.

This was a little confusing because her teacher knows she doesn’t eat in the cafeteria. I mean, she sees her lunch box every day. Plus the first time we were charged I sent a little note with the check, telling the teacher that M brings her lunch. So I didn’t really think it was a teacher issue. But whatever. So I email the teacher and she tells me that she’s always put her down as a lunchbox and she’s never seen her eat in the cafeteria. And she even sent my note down to the cafeteria last time so they would know.

So I call the cafeteria again. And I must have annoyed her because she got very condescending and rude with me, telling me that they have no idea who my kid is and “how would we know how to charge your kid if they didn’t have something from the teacher?” Then she sighed very heavily and told me she would waive the fee this one time but if it happened again we would be responsible.

Hold on.

First, who asked you to waive the fee? That request never came from me and it was never my intention. Please….we’re talking about a few bucks.

All I’m trying to do is figure out what’s going on. There are three possibilities: M is throwing away her lunch and then buying a cafeteria one, M is eating two lunches, or I’m being charged for another kid’s lunch.

None of those are acceptable to me.

So, in a not very nice tone, I told her that I understood what she was telling me, that I understood it when she told me the first time that morning. What she didn’t understand was that the teacher says she’s not sending her name down and yet we’re getting charged and that I didn’t care whose mistake it is – I just wanted it resolved.

I guess she thought if she made me feel stupid I would just go away. But really, why does it take me getting snippy with you in order for you to offer to speak with the teacher and work it out? Obviously, there’s a problem in your system…shouldn’t you want to get that fixed?

And do you really think I care about $2.10 enough to take the time to make these calls? No, it’s the principle – something is wrong and it needs to be corrected. Keep the money, I just don’t want it happening again. Is that so hard?

I just don't get it, how come I've got to be an almost-bitch in order for you to treat me decently?  Shouldn't it have been the opposite? The nicer I am the more helpful you are...I kinda thought that was how it worked.
Guess that's just me...