Where did honesty go?

[Count Adolfo]

it is regrettable... but honour is disappearing from the world.

sometimes I wonder if it's too late to reverse the trend

[KeeperoftheBar]

After reading this thread I feel I must present an opposing argument.

About a year ago I los my wallet in the parking lot of Home Depot.  I finally realized it an hour later and immediately retraced my steps but to no avail.  I went home and began canceling credit cards.  A few hours later there was a knock on my door.  It was a fine gentleman who found my wallet and brought it to my home (the address he got from my drivers license).  I checked it and all the cash and credit cards were still intact.  I tried to give him a reward for his honesty and efforts but he refused to take it.  He did say he was a home remodeler and if I ever had any business to send it his way.

So if anyone needs an honest home remodeler, let me know.  I can not vouch for his work but he is honest.  I'm going to see if he would like to work on my home to fix my Ike "modifications".

[maelstrom0370]

After reading this thread I feel I must present an opposing argument.

About a year ago I los my wallet in the parking lot of Home Depot.  I finally realized it an hour later and immediately retraced my steps but to no avail.  I went home and began canceling credit cards.  A few hours later there was a knock on my door.  It was a fine gentleman who found my wallet and brought it to my home (the address he got from my drivers license).  I checked it and all the cash and credit cards were still intact.  I tried to give him a reward for his honesty and efforts but he refused to take it.  He did say he was a home remodeler and if I ever had any business to send it his way.

So if anyone needs an honest home remodeler, let me know.  I can not vouch for his work but he is honest.  I'm going to see if he would like to work on my home to fix my Ike "modifications".

It's nice to know there's still some honesty alive and well.  What scares me is how we're always so much more suprised by people who do the "Right" or "Honest" thing.  I was leaving a Wal-Mart about 2 years ago and there was an elderly gentleman walking through the parking lot ahead of me.  He had a substantial amount of cash literally hanging out of his back pocket.  A person could have easily taken the whole wad and he'd never have noticed until it was too late.  I got his attention and let him know that he should watch that.  He was so appreciative, he tried to give me $50!  Just for telling him to stick his money back in his pocket!  I thanked him, but turned down his offer.  I dunno...when I look back on it, it saddens me a bit to think he was that happy to simply not have been robbed.

[ADraeger]

After reading this thread I feel I must present an opposing argument.

About a year ago I los my wallet in the parking lot of Home Depot.  I finally realized it an hour later and immediately retraced my steps but to no avail.  I went home and began canceling credit cards.  A few hours later there was a knock on my door.  It was a fine gentleman who found my wallet and brought it to my home (the address he got from my drivers license).  I checked it and all the cash and credit cards were still intact.  I tried to give him a reward for his honesty and efforts but he refused to take it.  He did say he was a home remodeler and if I ever had any business to send it his way.

So if anyone needs an honest home remodeler, let me know.  I can not vouch for his work but he is honest.  I'm going to see if he would like to work on my home to fix my Ike "modifications".

It's nice to know there's still some honesty alive and well.  What scares me is how we're always so much more suprised by people who do the "Right" or "Honest" thing.  I was leaving a Wal-Mart about 2 years ago and there was an elderly gentleman walking through the parking lot ahead of me.  He had a substantial amount of cash literally hanging out of his back pocket.  A person could have easily taken the whole wad and he'd never have noticed until it was too late.  I got his attention and let him know that he should watch that.  He was so appreciative, he tried to give me $50!  Just for telling him to stick his money back in his pocket!  I thanked him, but turned down his offer.  I dunno...when I look back on it, it saddens me a bit to think he was that happy to simply not have been robbed.

That's wonderful to hear!   I haven't seen all that many acts of kindness or politeness to random strangers in a long while, and it's a relief to hear it.  Reminds us there are still good people (and manners) around.   (Yourself included. )

[maelstrom0370]

That's wonderful to hear!   I haven't seen all that many acts of kindness or politeness to random strangers in a long while, and it's a relief to hear it.  Reminds us there are still good people (and manners) around.   (Yourself included. )

While I appreciate the compliment, at the time I felt I was just doing what one person should do for another.

[PurpleDragon]

Honesty sadly has gone the way of common sense.  Neither seems to exist in vast quantities any longer in this world.  Too many times there are too many people that feel that everything is owed to them and if it is not given to them, they have the right to take it.  Just look at how some people reacted to the help being offered immediately after the storm here in Texas or even looking back to the Katrina evacuees from New Orleans and their attitudes toward the good natured people trying to help them out. 

[ADraeger]

That's wonderful to hear!   I haven't seen all that many acts of kindness or politeness to random strangers in a long while, and it's a relief to hear it.  Reminds us there are still good people (and manners) around.   (Yourself included. )

While I appreciate the compliment, at the time I felt I was just doing what one person should do for another.

I agree.  We should do things like that for each other. 

[maelstrom0370]

Dontcha just love our God-given Sense of Entitlement?

Won't give it me? I'll sue for it!
Can't sue for it? I'll take it!
Can't take it? I'll break yours!

I feel a threadjack and/or rant coming on, so I'll just stop there.

[Demetrius]

A young woman who works with me at faire found $40 and turned it in, inspite of the fact that she needed the money. She always shows great integrity and gives me hope for future generations.
There is no shortage of weird people, certainly, but there are many altruists as well.

[Greenman66669]

What's the defination of integrity?  Doing the right thing even when  no one is watching.  I try very hard to live that way.  I do have to try, because there are so many little temptations out there that don't look harmful.  Talking yourself out of cutting corners can be very time consuming, and it can lead to just not caring anymore.  I think that is what happened to honesty; people just stopped giving a crap.

[TiaLD77]

I had the wierdest thing happen last Christmas, in the walmart parking lot i gathered up about 100$ in cash, & turned it in to the service desk. When the story was retold my DH's family was all over me that I did not keep it....WTH?

[Anna Iram]

I've found cash in a wallet without ID on several occassions. There is the thought that my turning it in only passes it along to someone else who will keep it, but on the chance that the person who lost it might call, I turn it in.

Having someone care enough to return something lost to you and having faith restored in the goodness of your fellows is worth more than a sack of gold. The opportunity given you to do good is truely golden. Pass it along with no regrets.

[Count Adolfo]

Dontcha just love our God-given Sense of Entitlement?

Won't give it me? I'll sue for it!
Can't sue for it? I'll take it!
Can't take it? I'll break yours!

I feel a threadjack and/or rant coming on, so I'll just stop there.

Maelstrom, you are so very right
this is something eroding our society...
entitlement

it destroys social graces because it renders meaningless the kindness and courtesy one bestows...
because people think they're entitled to it

truth be told, here in America you're entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness... but it's just the pursuit.
happiness itself... that's up to each of us to get on our own.  we're not entitled to it
when someone does a kind deed for me... it makes me happy.  I don't feel I'm entitled to that...
I'm grateful for it.

[nliedel]

Anna Iram, I'm glad your friend got her wallet back with everything apparently intact, but wow, that story was starting to sound creepy...I'm glad your friend had the common sense to insist on meeting in public, or it may not have turned out so well.  Reading more into that situation just gives me the chills...

Make sure she changes all her credit cards. He has all he needs for ID theft.

[Ranna]

Make sure she changes all her credit cards. He has all he needs for ID theft.

And here I thought I was the only paranoid person in the room reading this thread.  If I drop cash I always automatically assume somebody has taken it and run off with it.  A wallet I'd have far greater concern, but if anybody found it I'd immediately change all my info.   I've had my identity solen once already.