Helpful people

[watervole]

I was reading the letters page of the local paper last week and saw two separate letters from people thanking the unknown strangers who had handed their lost wallets (complete with money) in to the police.

It's worth remembering that there are still a lot of honest people in the world.  (I remember both the occasion when my son found a wallet on the train and fortunately the lady's address and bus pass were inside so we were able to post it to her, and the time someone else found his wallet and handed it in)

I'm now the owner of a pretty, blue topaz ring - which by a handy coincidence fits my index finger perfectly.  I handed it into the police after I found it on the pavement, but no one reported it as missing, so it's now mine as the apropriate time has passed since I found it.  I find it a little sad that the owner never reported losing it.  Did they assume that no one would hand it in?  (It's probably not massively valuable, but a gold ring, even if only 9 carat, is still a gold ring) 

Moral, if you lose something, tell the police.  You've nothing to lose and you might well get a happy surprise.

Comments

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

It is worth remembering. S and I once found over a hundred pounds sitting in a cash machine outside a bank. The bank was open so he took it in and handed it over while I got the money I needed out of the cash machine. We later got a letter of thanks.

In a similar vein, there's a thread on Shakesville at the moment about the kindness of strangers and paying it forward. It also makes cheering reading.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

I once left my wallet - with over $1000 dollars in it - at the library and didn't even miss it till they rang to say it had been handed in...

Not a cent was missing, and they left no name so I could offer a thank you or reward.

Being absent-minded to a fault, I have beeen very VERY lucky that way.

I'm glad your honesty was rewarded :)

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Yes. Lost keys, glasses - oh how well I remember those happy moments when all my lost things were returned thanks to honest people! And, how happy I was when I returned lost documments to a totally distressed lady!

[tlanti.livejournal.com]

That's a good point... and a very heartwarming post, too - certainly made me smile a happy smile. Certainly something I'll be remembering if i find anything in the street/places I go to.

Also makes me think of when a customer left something in the bank I was working in and I was able to contact her to let her know the item (I think it was a filofax with cards, etc in it) was at the branch ready and waiting for her. She was most relived and it made for a lovely feeling that day. :D

[watervole.livejournal.com]

I just hoped it wasn't anyone's engagement ring.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

There were some lovely stories there, and they reminded me of times when people have helped me out too. I've tried to pay forward in memory of them.

[on-idle-moor.livejournal.com]

So who snaffled the other four gold rings? You'd better warn Richard you don't want any calling birds or other festive avians.

ps. despite appearances I am not hibernating. I am, in fact, fractally sidetracked. Season's greetings and best wishes to you and yours, see you in the new year!

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Sounds good to me. Let us know when you'd like to visit.

[cu-sith.livejournal.com]

I was going to link to the Shakesville post, but I see someone already did. Oddly pleased that the ring's turned out to be topaz - I was the only one convinced of that.

[happytune.livejournal.com]

I agree. I actually wonder if people aren't getting a little NICER in these trying times. Over the past month SC have both accidentally left our car keys in the car door overnight (SC), or dropped car keys outside the car for TWO days (me). In neither case did the cars or the keys get damaged, nicked or anything else. I reckon people are OK.

[valydiarosada.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting some very good cheer! :D

[raspberryfool.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this. Oh yes, the good people are out there; of that, i have had good reason to be grateful.

I've left my wallet in silly places, usually cafes for some reason - and they normally come back to me. I lost my glasses whilst living in Plymouth - I'd written my address and phone number inside the case; someone found them, 'phoned me and returned them. usually if I find a wallet or similar, i'll return it intact; especially if there's an address inside. Last year, I found a purse with about £150 in cash and the credit cards; I found a passing PCSO and handed it in...

Because i believe 'what goes around, comes around', I hope that my handing-in things 'pays' for the kindness of the folk who've returned things to me. But mainly, i do it because it's the right thing to do.

Mind you, i found a phone the other day, picked it up and put it down again because i didn't have the time to deal with it. You can't win them all...

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Every time you hand in a wallet, you make a total stranger feel good about life and restore their faith in people.

A growth in net karma.