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[Jak140]

Why the hell do people expect to be rewarded for doing the right thing? You should return it because it's what you'd want someone else to do for you if you were in his situation, not because you're expecting to get something out of it.

 

[lachesis]

I'd say return it to the owner with the money. Be nice.

lachesis

 

[DjangoReinhardt]

If you're only worried about "karma" you may as well keep the money.

If you want to be ethical...

 

[Bristow]

What if it was fate/karma that landed the wallet in borders lap? Maybe he is supposed to keep the money.

The other guy might be a murderer who is going to use that $600 to buy a firearm to kill someone. You never know!

 

[Eminem]

I'd keep it all.

Then again, I am an asshole.


But really, if I have $600 in my wallet, I will make sure I know where the fuck it is every second. I'd keep checking my back pocket, etc. He was irresponsible enough to lose it, so fuck 'em. It'd be mine now.
Yeah, that probably seems shitty...but that's how I look at it.

 

[MrCheez]

Yes, if you realize someone else has made a mistake you should do everything you can to screw them over even more. After all, you have judged them 100% correctly and now know that they deserve it and it's your job to carry out their punishment.

Sigh.

 

[LinesInTheSand]

I say keep it.

 

[Chipopo]

What if it was fate/karma that landed the wallet in borders lap? Maybe he is supposed to keep the money.

This is a poor understanding of Karma if I ever did see one

 

[Eminem]

Yes, if you realize someone else has made a mistake you should do everything you can to screw them over even more. After all, you have judged them 100% correctly and come to the conclusion that they deserve it.

Sigh.

There's a difference between a mistake and pure irresponsibility.

 

[Pimpwerx]

Jesus, what's the discussion for? You find $600 with no strings attached except your conscience, and you're actually asking about this? Keep the cash, toss the wallet. But a Klondike bar or something to ease your guilty, $600-richer conscience. You should be asking what you should buy. Wait a minute, send me the money. I'll act as a mediator while you come to terms with your new-found wealth. PEACE.

 

[Socreges]

Why the hell do people expect to be rewarded for doing the right thing? You should return it because it's what you'd want someone else to do for you if you were in his situation, not because you're expecting to get something out of it.

If you're at all referring to me, then read properly. I never said I'd return it FOR the reward. I said that I'd only be expecting one because I know, in his shoes, I'd be so grateful that I'd give back a big chunk of it.

 

[MrCheez]

There's a difference between a mistake and pure irresponsibility.

You're right, but I still stand by my point. So someone was irresponsible, who are you to choose to fuck them over? If you want to teach them a lesson give them back their shit and make them realize how lucky they are that you did.

 

[Escape Goat]

Must...justify....unethical actions....ugh!

 

[Naked Snake]

Actually, You found your imported psp bundle with every launch game. Have fun!

IAWTP

 

[pnjtony]

keep it...natural selection...or something

 

[Jak140]

If you're at all referring to me, then read properly. I never said I'd return it FOR the reward. I said that I'd only be expecting one because I know, in his shoes, I'd be so grateful that I'd give back a big chunk of it.

Wasn't refering to you.

 

[MrCheez]

There isn't a whole lot more that can be said if you guys know you're doing something wrong and just don't give a crap. =(

:lol /\ This is what happens when you're a greedy wallet-stealer!

 

[Gattsu25]

consider it a gift…return all of it

 

[Cosmic Bus]

If it was me who'd lost the wallet with that much cash in it, I honestly wouldnt expect to ever see it again... because someone like myself would probably keep the money. I could definitely use an extra $600 right now, so it'd be a pretty quick, albeit morally depraved decision.

If you do keep the money, I'd avoid mentioning it to anyone you know. Guilt trips online don't strike me as being anywhere near as irritating as when they're being delivered by friends.

 

[Jak140]

I say keep it.

I'd keep it all.

Then again, I am an asshole.


But really, if I have $600 in my wallet, I will make sure I know where the fuck it is every second. I'd keep checking my back pocket, etc. He was irresponsible enough to lose it, so fuck 'em. It'd be mine now.
Yeah, that probably seems shitty...but that's how I look at it.

Jesus, what's the discussion for? You find $600 with no strings attached except your conscience, and you're actually asking about this? Keep the cash, toss the wallet. But a Klondike bar or something to ease your guilty, $600-richer conscience. You should be asking what you should buy. Wait a minute, send me the money. I'll act as a mediator while you come to terms with your new-found wealth. PEACE.

Goddamn. No wonder humanity is fucked. Try to give a shit about someone other than yourselves for once. Jesus.

 

[border]

Even if I keep it I don't think I could bring myself to spend it all in some kind of ridiculous splurge or luxury purchase....it'd just be for food, rent, living expenses, etc. I'd feel bad if I just went out and bought a Crystal Xbox or something.....I have kind of a warped sense of morality I guess

 

[MrCheez]

If it was me who'd lost the wallet with that much cash in it, I honestly wouldnt expect to ever see it again... because someone like myself would probably keep the money.

Of course people don't expect to get lucky and have something good happen to them. It's because the world is filled with people who would do the same as the majority of those in this thread.

But the fact that the guy doesn't expect to get his wallet back changes absolutely nothing about what is right and wrong.

There are NO justifications for choosing to do wrong. None of the arguments in this thread for keeping the money hold ANY weight.

 

[Miburou]

If you do keep it all, tell us you returned every penny of it, otherwise some of the boy scouts in this thread will get heart attacks. :lol

 

[Escape Goat]

These threads are always nice. Get to lose respect for people and they did it all by their own admissions.

 

[cvxfreak]

Look at it this way.

That could have been the person's grocery money. He could have been on his way to deposit it into the bank. He could be starving right now if he has to wait until his next paycheck to get cash. His children could be starving.

Just return it.

 

[MrCheez]

If you do keep it all, tell us you returned ever penny of it, otherwise some of the boy scouts in this thread will get heart attacks. :lol

Make fun of us all you like, just know that we're the ones who'd be lending you a helping hand in a time of need. =P

 

[Socreges]

I'm getting the impression that border is going to keep the money no matter what is suggested.

 

[Escape Goat]

I'm getting the impression that border is going to keep the money no matter what is suggested.

the fact he posted it should have made indication he'd contemplated keeping it and was searching for validation of his baser instinct to keep the money.

 

[Eminem]

If it was me who'd lost the wallet with that much cash in it, I honestly wouldnt expect to ever see it again... because someone like myself would probably keep the money.

yep.

Jesus, what's the discussion for? You find $600 with no strings attached except your conscience, and you're actually asking about this? Keep the cash, toss the wallet. But a Klondike bar or something to ease your guilty, $600-richer conscience. You should be asking what you should buy. Wait a minute, send me the money. I'll act as a mediator while you come to terms with your new-found wealth. PEACE.

Agreed. No doubt.

You're right, but I still stand by my point. So someone was irresponsible, who are you to choose to fuck them over? If you want to teach them a lesson give them back their shit and make them realize how lucky they are that you did.

I definitely see your point. You are just a better person than me, hands down.

Goddamn. No wonder humanity is fucked. Try to give a shit about someone other than yourselves for once. Jesus.

I know I'm an asshole. I generally hate people. That fucking dick that cut me off the other day and almost made me hit another car might be the one who dropped his wallet. Good. I'm glad you're out $600.

That's my shitty outlook. Dickhead people make me a dickhead =)

 

[Socreges]

the fact he posted it should have made indication he'd contemplated keeping it and was searching for validation of his baser instinct to keep the money.

Indication, sure, but he could have been genuinely torn. Now there doesn't seem to be any question.

 

[Vargas]

Keep it.

 

[Naked Snake]

I'm getting the impression that border is going to keep the money no matter what is suggested.

Yeah I think he's going to keep the money and toss/return the wallet.

 

[MrCheez]

Even if I keep it I don't think I could bring myself to spend it all in some kind of ridiculous splurge or luxury purchase....it'd just be for food, rent, living expenses, etc. I'd feel bad if I just went out and bought a Crystal Xbox or something.....I have kind of a warped sense of morality I guess

Yeah, as long as you use the stolen money for stuff you need you shouldn't have to feel bad at all, right? Makes sense. Good for you, man. I mean, the person you stole it from is less deserving than you. Hell, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't steal MY money to help pay your rent? After all, of course both me and the other guy were just going to waste it and can't possibly need it like you do! =P

What's wrong is wrong. This situation has no justification.

 

[jiggle]

The two times that I lost my wallet, I was so happy to have gotten them back with all my credit cards(uncharged) and IDs intact that I didn't even care if my money was in it or not.
It was a big bonus that it was. Thank the anonymous kind souls.

So my suggestion is return it with the money. It's good karma

Although, a small finder's fee to cover the time/trouble/expense you need to send this back to the guy isn't completely uncalled for.



Even if you keep all the money, at least return the wallet/ids.

 

[Escape Goat]

Mr. Cheez, don't forget the guy who lost his wallet is a rapist and drug dealer! Of course hes less deserving.

 

[MrCheez]

:lol

I need to just leave this thread before I make myself upset. =P Call me crazy, but for some strange reason I like to see people do what's right and be good to one another.

 

[Dan]

With the kind of justification going on here, even if Border does claim to return the money, I won't believe it. He's just looking for agreement in his numerous rationalizations of keeping the money.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

I'm not going to judge you, but it boils down to this.

Steal 600 bucks from a stranger or not? If you can justify it easily you would probably already be at the brothel.

Is it a photo id? Judge the guy. If he looks dodgy TAKE IT.

 

[Socreges]

So what if the guy was irresponsible, made a mistake or whatever. That sort of thing can happen to anyone (maybe not $600 worth of irresponsibility, but still).

Two weeks ago, I stopped at an ATM to get some cash. I grabbed the cash and left--but for some reason, the ATM had given me the cash before giving back my card. I didn't even notice.

As I was pulling out of my parking space, a guy ran up to me with my card and gave it back to me, after making sure it was mine. It was still in the machine. He could've withdrawn as much money as he wanted from my account; he could've really screwed me over. Instead, he ran after me and gave back the card, for which I am very, very grateful.

Yes, I did something dumb. Through sheer spaced-out-ness, I forgot my card and left it there for anyone to steal money with. Does that mean I deserved to have someone take my money?

That guy really restored my faith in humanity for a while.

Spoiler

Until I read this thread...

That reminds me:

Likewise, I was in line for the bank machine a few months ago. The lady in front takes her money and walks away. So I get to the machine, look at the screen, and it says:

What would you like to do?
Withdraw
Transfer
Deposit
etc.

I could have taken everything and she was certainly well off. Yet I didn't. Not to make myself out to be a hero, because I'm surprised about this myself, but I didn't even consider the opportunity. My first instinct was to eject the card and run after her. Interestingly enough, she didn't even thank me. She just said "Oh", took the card, and walked away - but I think only because she was stunned by her stupidity.

 

[McLesterolBeast]

You aren't in "his shoes". Your decision won't impact other people in "your shoes" in the future.

I'm indifferent to which of you gets the cash. I would keep it though and toss the wallet on the ground after.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

I've had that exact same deal. A lady left her card in the machine.

I was quite saddened to find that my initial gut reaction was "shit no there is a camera on this thing". I wish I had have thought "aww I bet that lady is lovely" I gave her her card and she was very grateful.

 

[Bauer Action Hour]

Keep it.

 

[dem]

I'm an asshole.
Everyone tells me I'm an asshole.
I generally treat people like shit.

....but theres no way in hell I would keep a wallet with 600 dollars. You people are seriously fucking scumbags. I just wish there was a hell just so you guys could burn.

 

[fart]

do you need the money?

the best thing you can do if you're going to keep the money is destroy the wallet and all its contents. burn it or something. the guy can replace everything in there (he can, right? nothing in there is irreplaceable?)

otherwise hand it to the police dept with the money. make sure they note the contents, so he gets the money back.

don't contact him directly.

imo you're in the right ethically as long as you do one of these two things.

 

[shuri]

Dude. You know you want that psp bundle. The power of the bundle compells you. December 12, youre gonna be playing all the psp launch games, at home. Keep it. OR use it to pay for school

 

[karasu]

It could be money for an operation. He could have a hot sister that loves boyscouts. Return it.

 

[atomsk]

What if the guy is a pimp?

"yo, i think this is yours"

"why thank you fine sir, please help yourself to one of my finest ho's"

 

[DJ Sl4m]

Strange, you always hear people ask the question about what you'd do if you found a lost wallet, but you never really expect to actually find one....as I did walking home the other night.

So anyway, contacting the owner would be a relatively simple task, but damned if this isn't a ton of money. There's no credit cards or anything, but the IDs put the owner around my age....which means that all this cash is probably not some rich dude's chump change, and is somewhat important.

The funny thing is that I don't think I would have any trouble returning it if there was a couple hundred bucks, but damn I could use half a grand. It would probably be an interesting experiment to drop wallets all over the place with different sums of money inside them, and see whether people are more likely to return the large sums or the small sums. On one hand you'd think they would be more apt to steal it if there's a lot of money, but on the other hand they might feel bad about depriving someone of so much cash (while taking 50 to 100 bucks might be more morally justifiable).

So I guess the options are many:

--take money, toss wallet in dumpster
--take money, throw wallet on ground outside and hope that someone else returns it (at least he gets IDs and stuff back)
--take money, return wallet to owner and claim that I found it without the cash (and deal with possible suspicion)
--return wallet with all money intact, feel very good about myself but reamain quite poor

Possible justifications for taking money: I could use it, IDs show he has a steady job and residence anyway (probably won't destroy his life), he gets an expensive lesson about why you shouldn't carry around huge sums of cash, finders keepers, nobody carries around that much money unless they are doing something illegal with it (drug buy)

Possible justifcations for returning money: It's not mine, he could really need it, etc, etc

So what would you do? What should I do?

--return wallet with all money intact, feel very good about myself but reamain quite poor

Unless you're just extremelly pressed for money, and know for a fact the guy is well off.

If he has money, and you know it, keep the money and drop his ID and info in an envelope and mail it back to him from a post box with no return address :/

BTW: I found a wallet with a little over $400.00 a year or 2 ago, and returned the entire thing, money still intact.

 

[DarienA]

Karma...return it.

 

[shuri]

Indeed, Just keep the money but send the wallets + cards back. Thats more important than the 600$