WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE? $100 !!!!

[Goldstrike]

[size=medium]This is a perfectly true experience I had today with NO embellishing!!.... Metal detected the beach today (Southern California). Beautiful sunny, warm day with lot's of people on the beach. It was early afternoon and I was tired. I had started around 8am and only had found a bunch of clad and no rings that I had hoped for and I was ready to go home.
A very attractive young lady (in a bikini) I would say about 24-25 yrs old came up to me with a $100 note and said that "something had told her to give this to someone on the beach." I was kind of shocked not knowing what she was thinking and the reasons behind her giving me $100. I told her I couldn't accept it. She insisted and said she had "won a lot of money in Las Vegas and she felt she needed to give this to someone on the beach."
I was thinking, is this one of those tv reality shows to see what I would do? I asked her if she was religious (thinking she may have heard voices or something) and she said "oh no."
After trying to give it back to her and her insisting I keep it, I took it and she walked away off the beach and disappeared down an alley (the houses are built right up to the boardwalk and beach here).
Well, no tv reality show, no set up and I was $100 richer!!! If I were single, I would have definately asked her for a date although I was a few years older than her...she was very attractive!!!
I did a little more detecting hoping she would come back and talk but she did not.!!
A few minutes later, I gave away a large '1st time visit to Disneyland' badge I had found to a lady with a little girl that had come down from Canada and visited Disneyland for the first time!!!
Well, I was thinking on the drive home, this really is a wonderful hobby where we can give and take and get great pleasure from all the people we meet and experiences we all have from time to time.

What would you have done???????[/size]​

 

[reltolbert]

You did the right thing. That's a wonderful story. Using a metal detector has it's benefits indirectly.
You never know what you can find or what can find you.

 

[kschae4]

Nice story, Goldstrike. After much persuasion, I would've accepted the gift,too. Each day in the field offers endless possibilities and beautiful scenery.

 

[Goldstrike]

[size=medium][size=medium]Thanks for the replies reltolbert and Kschae4. I'm going back to that stretch of beach again this week in hopes I see the ' $100 mystery woman' again and if I do, I'll give you an update![/size] If I don't see her again, I'll settle for a gold/diamond ring instead!

 

[Mtnmn]

You did the right thing and giving the Disney badge to the little girl was a nice gesture too. Whenever I find loose money ($40 & $50 last year), if the rightful owner can't be found, I give the money to a needy family in our church.

 

[reltolbert]

Mtnmn,

That's a great gesture by giving money, that you found, to a needy family in your church. I admire you for doing that.

 

[Mtnmn]

Thanks! Am absolutely certain there are many others in our great hobby who have done the same sort of giving many times over the years. Just look at how many have returned lost rings, its all the same. Mtnmn

 

[MIssouri Secessionist]

I have found that it never hurts to do the right thing. Ever watch " MY NAME IS EARL", now in syndication? It is a comedic plot based upon Karma. You do something good, and something good comes back to you. There have been a couple instances lately where I have corrected a money taker at a yard sale when it was in their favor, and almost instantly, something good happened to me, that was out of the ordinary, and one was kind of paranormal. SO, never overlook and opportunity to do the right thing, as you did in this instance. This does not translate into always telling your wife, or, girlfriend about your love history, or, the coworker who seems to be coming on to you. That is a whole different ball of wax.

This scenario played out in two sitcoms. Everybody Loves Raymond, where his brother, Robert felt compelled to tell his girlfriend, Amy, about his ex-wife hitting on him, and in TWO and A HALF MEN, where Charlie's brother, Alan does about the same thing, with almost identical consequences.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, is a pretty good life choice.

 

[Goldstrike]

[size=medium]Thanks everyone for those very wise comments and Missouri Secessionist.....very well said!! I totally agree with your comments and if it is 'correcting a money taker' (at the yard sale) or wherever, even if it works out that it's not in your favor and your out a few dollars, you walk away feeling good and it's done a lot for your character.
About 10 years ago, I was on the beach and noticed a fairly large roll of money with a drivers license wrapped around with rubber bands rolling around in the surf. I noticed a lady taking photographs of a swimmer and a boy who were in the surf, from the beach.
I separated the money from the license and put the money in my back pocket. I asked the lady if she knew this guy (on the driver's licence) She said that was her husband's D.L. I pulled the roll of money out of my pocket and said this belongs to him also. She said oh! and took the money and license, no thank you or showed any appreciation at all. I felt good about giving the money back to the rightful owner but very chagrined at the attitude of his wife!! I would do it again but It's very important to show appreciation for good deeds done.[/size]

 

[MIssouri Secessionist]

Wow, Kinda makes you wonder if the guy was saving that roll of money to leave her. Not even a thank you, now that is telling of her character, isn't it?

You have the right attitude. The fact that it made you feel good, is a reward all in it's own, but a 'thank you' would have cost her nothing, and gone a long way.

Glad to 'know', even if it is just in this forum, that there are people like you who, even though, they have had less than gratitude from those whom they have helped, continue to do what is right.

 

[acasto]

What would I have done?

I would have looked around to see if my wife saw what just happened.
If she did I would have started trying to think of an explanation she would believe.
She would end up with half.

If not, smile and walk down the beach a little taller.

Good story.

 

[BWCA]

n/t

 

[edjcox]

I'm good mame but not worth a $100.00.

You can pay me what you think I'm worth later.....

 

[Goldstrike]

edjcox.....funny!!!!

 

[GunnarMN]

I would have taken it , I have not worked in 5 years, no unemployment no disability , just gophers at 2:00$ each and a generous freind