...did she just pay what is effectively $2.50 with an effective $100 bill?
Certain types of stores tend to be used to cash large bills. I once worked as a cashier at one of the entry-area stores that sold various things, including cigarettes, and in the mornings, people would routinely come in to buy something cheap (well, even "cheap" things are expensive in an amusement park, but still...) like a pack of cigarettes or just some gum or something and break their $100 that way. Most stores start with small change, but no $20s, and expect any $20s they might need to just come from customers, but this store had to start the day with $20s for just that reason.
...did she just pay what is effectively $2.50 with an effective $100 bill?
100%, completely normal on Japan. I've done it myself plenty of times - some ATMs don't let you choose what notes you get, so you wnd up with only big notes sometimes.
And Japan is srill mainly a cash-based society, change has never been an issue, both from having a large float at the begining of the day, and from incoming notes.
They still get a little annoyed if you buy a 20 yen Tirol chocolate with a 10,000 yen note,though...
The aim of the game for people is to minimise the amount of change back, at least for the ones column - Sazza should have tried to dig up 8 yen, if possible.
Whoa!Ah - these, please.Since it's always Kashima-san, so I just didn't notice!So you work here too then, Kaga-san?BEEP!278 yen, 'k.So much...!Thank you! I'll use it wisely!No...Erm...My change...Alrighty, here you go.