Tell me they are kidding

One of my first posts from London town was entitled "Here now, and somethings got to change...". It was basically a rant about the amount of coins I had accumulated after just a few days. My first pint here cost £1.97, my first coffee was £1.74 - ridiculous. Not only is involuntary copper conveyance annoying as hell, it slows the service industry up something shocking as people on both sides of the till have to frig around with mountains of change.

In terms of pricing - the retailers seem unwilling to change their ways [that's awful - Ed], so a glaring need for a sensible rounding policy is identified, no? Not for the Brits - for every annoying problem is a farcical solution - a 99p coin. I kid you not. From pipex UK News:

99p coin would save shoppers millions

The introduction of a 99p coin could save Britons an estimated £133 million in discarded coppers each year, according to research out on Monday.

About 52% of people said they saved their 1p and 2p coins in a jar, but others said they simply discarded them, collectively wasting around £11 million a month, according to Virgin Money.

Just under half of people are frustrated with shops charging prices that end in 99p, while one in three people said they would support the introduction of a 99p coin.

All I can take from that, is that one in three people in Britain ain't too bright. Surely this is not in addition to the existing pound coin? If so, what happens when you buy something that is £2.99? Three coins come out of your pocket, and a smiling face tells you, "you're 2p short mate".

Aaarrggghh!

UPDATE - it gets worse!! So someone buys something that is 99p with their flash new coin - bully for him. What about the guy next to him that buys the same item with a fiver? He gets two 2 pound coins back - and still gets a f*&king penny!