Lord God Angry Over Taxi Drivers Decision to Return Money

[lashbear]

Originally Posted by Alex

Again, what is the right amount??

Interestingly, the Japanese seem to have a system that works for this.

When we lost a pouch containing about $3000 worth of Yen in Japan, we thought we'd never get it back, but we didn't reckon with the Japanese Honour System.

The pouch was found and handed in at the local police station, where it was itemised, and a reciept issued to the finder.

The police called us and advised that the pouch was found, and gave us contact details for the finder.

We then had to meet face-to-face with the finder, pay a 10% finders fee to him, and he would in return give us the reciept, which we could use to get our pouch back.

Needless to say, the finder didn't want to take the $300.00 reward (which we had put in a beautifully decorated envelope for him) but did let us pay for his coffee.

...and that's how it works. Finder gets met and thanked, and 10% (or more if the owner sees fit) as reward.

[katiesue]

My family was of the you don't get rewarded for what you're expected to do as well.

[Alex]

Yes, I agree with that. I don't care if a reward was offered or not. But it appears from the other comments that not only is a reward de rigeur but that there is a certain minimal level of reward.

I'm curious what the rules are? Does the appropriate award amount go up with the dollar amount? Would $17,500 get $5 more than $17,000? Does it matter if the taxi driver knew what he was returning and therefore did or didn't suffer temptation? Does it matter if he is an independently wealthy retiree who hacks because it keeps him busy between visits with the grandchildren? Does it matter if his reasons for turning it in were not altruistic? Say he would have kept it but knew the money would be tracked to his cab and he'd likely be fired and still lose the money? Does it matter what "a lot" is in the local economy? Does the situation of the person who lost the money matter?

Is there a time limit before the need to give a reward kicks in? If he had noticed the money in his basket before leaving the curb and called her back what is the obligation? Before he got to the end of the block and manages to run back to her? 30 minutes later?

I'm honestly curious, this isn't snark. Since it seems people are certain $32 was not enough, what would have been enough and what goes into determining that? Because there are a lot of details that story doesn't give before we decide god should kick her ass.

[wendybeth]

It's certainly subjective, but my idea of a reward would be proportionate to the value of the item I've lost. Do you struggle with the concept of tipping as well? Just curious.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

It's certainly subjective, but my idea of a reward would be proportionate to the value of the item I've lost. Do you struggle with the concept of tipping as well? Just curious.

I think the fact that tipping exists is beyond stupidity (why I'm obligated to cover someone's inability to negotiate a proper wage I simply don't understand). But no, I don't have a problem doing it or how much to tip.

But again, for that situation society has decided that there are somewhat strict rules on what the appropriate tip for certain situations are.

So, what are the rules here? What is properly proportionate? I'm am not really contesting that a reward is reasonable (though I don't think it is for the situation described) just the certainty that $32 was somehow insulting.

A cabbie making a reasonable effort to return something left by a fare in the car, is to me, just as much a part of the expectation of that job as a waiter giving me another fork if I drop mine on the floor.

The one time I did leave something valuable enough in a cab to try and track it down (in Minneapolis) I didn't give the cabbie a "reward" at all (and by the standard implied in this thread I owed him many (tens of?) thousands of dollars since it had a value to my company of almost $1 million). I paid and (generously) tipped him for transporting the item to me just as if I'd been a fare in that cab.

[blueerica]

I think that it's only the scale of how much $32 means in the Phillipines that is shocking. What is paltry to most American's is probably quite a lot to someone else. It's hard to say, really, what the appropriate amount should be.

If the money wasn't hers to begin with, I don't know why she offered her own pocket money at all (perhaps embarrassment). In terms of how much the value of the lost money would be in the U.S., I'd guess it would equate to anywhere between $170K and $200K, so I couldn't even imagine myself in a situation where I'd be responsible for that much cold, hard cash, and if I was, I would would like to think that I would have taken better care of it.

So, um... yeah. I have no idea what the right amount would be.

Better suited question for Americans might be "What would you pay a reward for something that has a street value of $175,000?" take that, and boil it back down. But I still wouldn't know. I don't have anything of that much value.

The whole situation is strange.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hmm, it somehow completely escaped me that this was the Philippines. That certainly alters my perception of the size of the reward. I guess my feeling is that, while I don't believe a reward is by any means mandatory, if you're going to offer a reward it should be an amount that doesn't seem to indicate, "I'm doing this out of obligation, here's some bare minimum." Yes, I realize the utter circular conundrum that presents, but if someone handed me $30 in America for returning something of large value, it would feel to me the equivalent of leaving a $1 tip for a $100 meal. Better to just not offer anything but thanks.

Obviously my reaction is not the same taking into account the economic differences between here and the Philippines.

[Alex]

I realize I'm coming off as more severe than I intend. Trying to work on that.

I'm just honestly curious what would be considered the range of a reasonable amount.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Alex

I realize I'm coming off as more severe than I intend. Trying to work on that.

I'm just honestly curious what would be considered the range of a reasonable amount.

The world isn't black or white, Alex. I'd say this is an incredibly subjective issue. Even if the facts were totally clear, you'll get a different answer for every person you ask. There are no rules. Just a gut feeling, based on your own values, which are based on your own experiences and what you were taught growing up.

Add to that the fact that we know very little about this specific case. Was the money just pocket change for the lady? Was it for some necessary surgery, scrounged out of her mattress? We don't know, and to me, these issues change how I personally feel she should reward the man.

If a neighbor helped you move your coffee table into a flat bed truck, would you give him something to show your gratitude? Would you give him a glass of lemonade, or bake him a pie, or drop a thank you note in his mailbox? Or maybe a handshake would suffice? Perhaps, instead, you'd "owe him one", and when he wants help with moving his daughter to college, you'd do a little extra work for the cause? What are the rules, what is the answer?

Personally, in the specific case of the cabbie - if the money is somewhat disposable, I'd reward the guy at least a grand. Don't ask me any further justification - that's just how I feel.

[Alex]

Of course the world isn't black and white. But a black and white pronouncement on the appropriateness of the $32 was made. 8,000 miles away we're making fun of the woman for giving too little when we know almost nothing about the circumstances.

Why assume the worst?

As for my neighbor it would depend. If I didn't know the person I wouldn't let them help me. If they were a friend I'd say thanks and that would be the end of it, I don't think there's a balance sheet to be balanced at some point. Though, since they're obviously at my home they are welcome to anything in they'd like from the fridge whether they move the coffee table or not.

Personally, giving someone nine months ($1,000) pay for simply doing their job does seem excessive (and, to me, insultingly so).