Have you ever heard of “cowboy change”?

A few weeks ago I stopped at the Yacht Club and ordered the Combo pack advertised on the menu for $7. Basically a shot and a beer combo.

Paid with a 20 dollar bill, received $12 change. I asked the bartender if the drink special was $7 or $8 and she replied “well it’s $7 plus tax and we do cowboy change”. It seemed like a euphemism for adding tax and keeping the change.

I guess the bigger question is, if I see a poster advertising a drink special like a $10 bucket of beers I’m not expecting it to cost $11 when I go to pay cash.