13/4/2026

Today was rainy and warm and humid and people
were drilling the asphalt right outside the shop.
Despite the frankly horrible atmosphere, 
there were customers out the door. 

Wet weather meant soup weather. The back to 
back orders made it difficult to check inventory. 
Eventually, I messed up. I charged a customer 
for a slice of sourdough bread and later 
discovered that we ran out.

What usually happens is that I'll give the 
customer a cash refund. One big coin and one 
small coin.

But this customer asked for an IOU. I've done 
IOUs for our regulars before. Everybody in the 
shop recognises them so there's no need for
any written proof of the IOU. Today's customer 
wasn't a regular. Rightfully, I should give a 
cash refund. But I didn't. I just wrote their 
name, what we owed them, and what they looked 
like on the back of an old docket. Btw my 
description of them was "white, long brown hair". 
Wow I'm such an idiot.

Hopefully I recognise them when they come back;;;;

==== What I should have done ======

If I had to issue an IOU, I would write a pair 
of twin "proofs". One for us and one for the 
customer. 

It would have the customer's name, what we owe 
them, both party's signature and a secret 
password. Something like this:

_______________________________
|                             |
|           IOU               |
|                             |
|    - Customer name -        |
|                             |
|  Owe Customer:              |
|  Sourdough and butter       |
|                             |
|  Secret: 4fnsdvjoiws9f      |
|                             |
|  My             Customer    |
|  Signature      Signature   |
|_____________________________|


The secret would be a random string.

With this, I wouldn't have to remember the 
customer.

Side note: I always found it strange how people
MUST have bread with their soup or they'll 
just walk out.

///


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