I have become aware of a phenomenon in the last few years. The phenomenon in question typically takes place where money is exchanged.

The latest instance of this phenomenon took place in the post office where I have sadly experienced it numerous times before. Now, let me say at this point that I am largely a stamp and envelope guy; I rarely have post office business that involves anything other than buying a stamp or envelope. Again, sadly, I am in the minority in that regard. Me, I need about 30 seconds max at the counter.

I invariably find myself in line behind a person or people who have postal "needs" that extend far beyond anything I have ever required. These are people who have to have their postal options explained to them, the costs involved in those options, and the postal regulations that have to

be met before they can mail whatever it is they want to mail to wherever it is they want to mail it.

I can only conclude that the lady in question wanted to send a package to Neptune since it took the postal clerk forever to explain her options to her. Naturally, I’m waiting to purchase what? A stamp! When the clerk finally gets around to telling her how much first-class to Neptune will cost — say

$18.99 or whatever — what does she do but produce a bank cashier’s envelope and begin to count out the money ...t o the penny! A 10, five and three ones.

She digs deeper in the envelope and pulls out coins one at a time. In time she has paper money on the counter, little piles of silver money in different denominations, and a pile of brown money. She counts out $18.99 to the penny, as if she’s going to get a postal prize or discount for getting the amount right on the nose. I couldn’t see her face but I imagined her as being pleased as punch at her feat.

This business of the elderly counting out exact change is taking place in stores and shops, restaurants and, I assume, everywhere seniors go. I think I understand the dynamic involved in this phenomenon. It’s about living during a time when it was hard to get two pennies to rub together; when paying a bill probably took every cent you had. Watch a senior order a Senior Coffee. Odds are they will fish around in their pocket or in the bottom of a purse until they come up with the exact amount. On the other hand, watch a kid order a Big Mac. They’ll probably pay with a five, 10 or 20.

Me, I’m a senior, and I should probably be more patient with these money-counters. But I’m not! I’m an advocate of letting clerks and cashiers make change.

It’s faster and that way I can get my stamp or double cheeseburger faster. After all, their young fingers are more nimble than old ones, and I don’t want to stand in line while a pile of money totaling $7.32 is counted twice.

So the next time you feel the urge to gain some kind of extra credit that only you understand by counting $9.89 or $17.44 or $98.99 to the penny, stop before you do it and look at the person behind you. You might see another senior citizen scowling. Why? Because he just wants to keep the line moving. Say you don’t care? Well, look a little farther back in the line and you might see the Grim Reaper. He likes to keep the line moving too, and he’s gaining on all of us while you plunder around in the lint, old gum and wadded up Kleenex in the bottom of your purse for a dime and two pennies.