STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

lynnie · Chanel

would you accept...?

Kelly · Hermes

hmmmmm.... maybe take $50? That's kind of a comprimise... you don't have to feel like you're taking advantage of her, but she can still feel like she repaid you. I understand your reservations, but sometimes when I want to repay people or show them I appreciate, and they won't let me give them whatever it is, I really hate it. I think she might feel bad if you don't take any.

twinkle · Coach

take it. thats a really nice offer and she is clearly thrilled (and lucky) that someone so honest found her wallet!

laken1 · Hermes

I say take it. If I had lost my wallet & it had that much cash in it & someone contacted me & was being honest about returning it, I would feel great giving them $100. I don't think she would offer if she didn't mean it. I agree with the comment that she might feel bad if you didn't take her up on her offer at all.

Having said all that - if it doesn't feel right to you & you'd get more satisfaction out of the do-gooding alone, then do what is right for you. I can see the confusion in your choice for sure!

wicked · Coach

If she hands you the money face to face I might, but if you end up dropping it off w/o even meeting her then I definitely wouldn't take any money.

Lilykind · Hermes

wicked wrote:

If she hands you the money face to face I might, but if you end up dropping it off w/o even meeting her then I definitely wouldn't take any money.

I would do the same. I feel weird about taking money out of a stranger's wallet, even if they insisted I should. I would write her a nice note if you don't end up meeting thanking her for the kind gesture.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

If you drop it off, don't. But if you meet her and she offers again take it! I know if I were in her shoes I would be so grateful that I'd probably give you ALL my cash! Just to have my ID, cc's, etc back safely would be such a relief!

joy0302 · Kate Spade

I agree with wicked and lilykind. I would feel strange just taking it out. I think I would just tell her to keep it even if she tried to hand it to me. I am sure you will have good things coming to you just for being such an honest person.

atlgirl · Gucci

I wouldn't. I'd feel weird.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

When I offer somebody something, I do not like them to say no.

blink · Coach

Nope, I wouldn't accept it unless I met the girl in person and she absolutely insisted I take her money, even then I would not feel comfortable taking her money when I didn't earn it. This might sound idealogical to some, but I would feel like it was my duty as a human being to give it back, I don't want to be rewarded or feel like there should be an incentive to just do the right thing. Saying no thank you to her offer does not say anything about you other than you are the kind of person who is ethical, and not ethical because you get rewarded for it.

Maddie · Coach

lorelei wrote:

Nope, I wouldn't accept it unless I met the girl in person and she absolutely insisted I take her money, even then I would not feel comfortable taking her money when I didn't earn it. This might sound idealogical to some, but I would feel like it was my duty as a human being to give it back, I don't want to be rewarded or feel like there should be an incentive to just do the right thing. Saying no thank you to her offer does not say anything about you other than you are the kind of person who is ethical, and not ethical because you get rewarded for it.

My thoughts exactly.

luckyclover · Dooney & Bourke

My friend and I found a wallet once....we never bothered to check how much money was in it. We found the guy's ID, tracked him down, and returned it. He was very grateful and gave us $100 to split. We tried to turn it down but he insisted. Turns out there was $800 in his wallet....he had just cashed his check before he stopped at the store we were working at where he dropped it. If I had lost that much I would have been crying my eyes out.

lynnie · Chanel

thanks girls...I know what you mean about feeling weird to be "rewarded" for doing the right thing. If she insists, I will accept..but I'm not going to take it out of her wallet. I'll see what feels right..i never even wanted/expected a reward..but i do know the money would help out with bills since nyc is so expensive and i'm only 22. I wish she hadn't offered, but I guess i'm glad that she was thankful. i've gone out of my way to return things to people before and they just say, "Oh...thanks" with complete disregard and walk away.

kittenheels · Coach

You are a wonderful good samaritan. It is so nice to hear stories like this to remind us that there are plenty of good people in the world.

halleybird · Hermes

I am not sure if I would take it, but for what it's worth, I lost my ATM card once at college, and the guy tracked me down through the student directory to return it. I was SO grateful. I really wanted to give him something but I literally had like $50 to my name at the time. I remember thinking at the time that I wished I had something to give him.

kealoha · Kate Spade

I wouldn't feel comfortable taking the money @ all, in person or not. I had a similar situation occur & the person insisted on rewarding me w/something, so we went to Starbucks & called it even.

mirbear · BCBG

People offer up rewards because they 'believe' most people wouldn't return their money. Maybe it is true, maybe not? I would never take it. You are doing what you feel is right. Tell her to keep the $$ & hold on to her precious stuff next time. Do not take the $$. Seriously. You are just being a good person. To take money for doing something good demeans the something good.

Renee · Kenneth Cole

I wouldn't take it, but then... it is really nice that she offered. I find and return people's wallets all the time.. something in my karma, I guess. Usually people just say thanks. My hubby and I once returned a wallet to a tenured university professor (it had cash, cards, everything). She promised to take us out to dinner, but this never materialized. But once I found a wallet with 500$ in it - a college student was on her way to pay rent or something. She brought me flowers. Very nice!
And now I feel bitchy

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

i would for sure take it and i was just talking to a friend at work and she'd for sure take it too. to a certain extent i understand lorelai's comments but here's the thing: i don't think it's just about you. the person who benefited from your kind action is in turn trying to act kindly. why rob her of that?