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I read a story last week that has fascinated me ever since, but of course now I can't find the story to link to. You will just have to rely on my memory.
A NYC cab driver found about 20k and some jewelry left in his cab. Although he was new to this country and not near comfortable financially, he turned the money & jewelry in and would not even take a reward.
He said he was needy not greedy.
It made me think about what I would do in the same circumstance? I know two years ago what I would have done in a heartbeat.
I know I am a good person, I know I help others and have empathy. Honestly though, because these past two years have been so rough and how we have lost everything and have borrowed A LOT of money from family? I may have just kept it.
I don't want to admit that, but I am being honest.
I am sure the guilt would eat me alive and I would be up nights worrying about my karma and what if it was for someones operation or to feed orphans. Maybe I would rationalize that only wealthy people would carry abound such large amounts of cash, and I needed it more than them.
It would make me so miserable that I didn't do the right thing, and that, would be my karma coming back at me.
I want to know what you would honestly do: Would you keep the money and jewels, keep some of it or return it all?
I can tell you one thing, I sure would have taken the reward!
7 years ago
I've been in a situation like this. I was at the Del Coronado Hotel in San Diego on vacation 3 years ago. I went into the bathroom in the lobby.....and someone had left a Louis Vuitton purse (worth $1500 alone) in the stall.
ReplyDeleteI looked inside the purse to see if there was identification. Louis wallet ($600ish) and hundreds of dollars in cash. Wow.
Tempting.
We were on vacation, but it was mild compared to most....not even staying at the Del....just came to eat and see the historical stuff. That cash could have made it tons better!
I honestly didn't consider keeping it, though. What I did battle with was how to return it. The bathroom was empty and after I looked at the ID (hoping to find the exact woman), I couldn't find her. So, I turned it in to the manager.
But, who is to say that he didn't keep it?
Certainly an interesting question.....great post....and loved the initial story of the cab driver. Inspiring!
I have learned that if you know who something belongs to...you have to return it. If you have no way to know, then it's yours to keep. But I also definitely would have taken the reward lol
ReplyDeleteI would have returned it and taken the reward.
ReplyDeleteI saw this guy interviewed on the news this morning and it made me sad that returning the money made such big news. That should be the norm, and unfortunately, when people do the right thing, we're shocked and have to talk about it.
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely have returned the money and I wouldn't have taken a reward, either. I could use money, sure. But seeing the relief and expressions of thanks from someone is really the only reward I need.
Living in the NY/NJ area my whole life I hear a story at least once a week about a cabby or stranger returning lost purses and money.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know.
I would have turned it in, (no matter how tempting it would be, I've seen too many Law and Order episodes to think that no one would ever find out if I kept it, lol)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, my conscience really wouldn't let me keep the money, but I sure as hell would have taken the reward!
I dont know. I think I feel like you do. I might not have been able to turn it in. I might have tried to rationalize why it would be ok for me to keep it...see the post on my blog about my house and you will see why lol! I would have taken the reward though.
ReplyDelete