If you found a wallet on the sidewalk, would you keep it?
Sep. 02, 2008 by Jason
Lulu and I were walking around the Rittenhouse area of Center City Philly last week when I grabbed a wallet off the sidewalk. The wallet was super tacky - a velcro trifold - the sort of thing a broke teenager might carry as they fight their way through an identity crisis. It was printed plastic, designed to look like denim, with a layer of clear plastic on top of the faux jeans design.
I saw the wallet on the sidewalk outside a ritzy hotel next to a fancy tour bus. There was no one within 10 feet or so (but plenty of people were milling around the general area). As we walked past the wallet, I saw it in my periphery. I said to Lulu “So, should we pick up that wallet?” She apparently didn’t notice it, so she turned and glanced down. “Yeah, why not?”
I casually stepped back, leaned down, and picked it up. I felt like I was in 6th grade, stealing candy bars from the local convenience store. I felt guilty. I immediately thought “If there’s an ID in here, I’m returning it.” Lulu echoed these thoughts.
I opened it and noticed it was particularly sparse. Plenty of pockets for IDs, credit cards, business cards, but they were bare. The only thing in there was an unorganized wad of cash and some change in the zipper pocket.
My immediate reaction was to stuff the wallet in my pocket and start walking. Whoever lost it didn’t care enough to keep an ID in there and they were obviously clumsy enough to drop it right in the middle of a busy city sidewalk. Not my fault. Their fault. But of course I was conflicted. It wasn’t my wallet. Does “finders keepers” really apply in the adult world?
My guilt slowly faded as we continued on our way. At that point, I still had no idea how much cash I just picked up. I waited until we entered a store before I pulled it out and sifted through it. I guess I didn’t want to be stuck counting a handful of cash right there in the middle of Philly. Some unsavory character might have grabbed it. (Looking back, I suppose I might be the unsavory character in this whole deal.)
So I counted the cash after we entered a store. Seventeen dollars and change. The bills were all crumpled and stuffed into the wallet. Looked like the money organization technique of a lower primate without opposable thumbs - or perhaps a zitty pre-teen.
Thinking the wallet belonged to an irresponsible kid brought my guilt back for a few minutes. But I knew there was nothing I could do at that point, so I decided to spend the cash. I didn’t want it anymore. What I did want was a cheese sandwich from the local deli.
Lulu and I spent the cash as quickly as we had found it. Sandwiches, drinks, and some candy. That’s all it was worth. Then when we got home I threw out that fashion catastrophe of a wallet. I feel better not having it around.
September 3rd, 2008
Don’t feel guilty. I would have done the same. ID or Not. Although if ID were in it, I would still take the cash and drop it off in a Bank drop off. Because the ID is a bitch to get back.
I’ve lost my wallet before, and I couldn’t care less if the money was taken. I just wanted all my ID back.
You know JJ, you could have sent it to me.
September 3rd, 2008
I found a fifty dollar bill on the ground one time. That was a good day. I guess I really didn’t have to worry about returning it.
The way I see it, if there is money on the ground it is up for grabs. Unless you’re at a strip club. Then it’s the stripper’s.
September 3rd, 2008
you did the right thing my son. Jesus is smiling on you
September 3rd, 2008
About five years ago when I lived in Philadelphia I used to work for a company in Media, PA (this was before my big move to a little company in Conshohocken that JJ may be familiar with…). I took the train from Philly to Media each day to get this job. One day as I’m walking from the train to the office I saw a wallet by the side of the road. A black leather wallet packed full of business cards, credit cards, IDs, etc.
I looked through the wallet and found a business card of the guy whose license was in it, and called him. He was psyched! Turns out he worked in Philly and took the train from Media each day…opposite of what I did. We agreed to meet up in Philly after work that day as I was getting off the train and he’d be getting on. I gave him his wallet, he was ecstatic and kept offering me a reward. I didn’t want a reward…I just wanted to return his wallet like I’d want mine returned.
I felt good about returning his wallet, but I’ll tell you this…he would’ve been fucked if there’d been any money at all in it cuz he never would’ve gotten the call!!!!!
**mwaaahhhhahahahahahaha**
–TFKoP
September 3rd, 2008
No ID? Fair game.
September 4th, 2008
MacBros:
Send $17 to you in Canada? With the exchange rate, you might be able to buy a pack a gum.
Tim:
“if there is money on the ground it is up for grabs. Unless you’re at a strip club. Then it’s the stripper’s.”
Words to live by.
Jim Pony:
Oh good. I was wondering what Jesus would do.
TFKoP:
I always knew you were a stand up guy. Well done, Sir.
randi:
Thanks for backing me up on this one.
September 4th, 2008
Actually it would be $18.0828 CAD after the exchange and that would pay for a case of beer!
September 7th, 2008
Wow! Nice change to the site’s appearance…
September 10th, 2008
When I was like 10 years old, I found a wallet at a mall store, with about $30 in it. I did the opposite and turned it in to the store security. They said if it wasn’t claimed in a few hours, I could keep it. I went back a couple hours later, and the security guard said someone came and claimed it. I asked for their name, and he said they didn’t leave one…that’s when I realized I got hosed…
You did the right thing.
September 13th, 2008
Yeah JJ, no kinds of ID? If you found a twenty dollar bill on the ground you wouldnt try to return it. you would just pick it up. think nothing of it. this was in an awful wallet. either way. someone dropped it. and either way. its yours. hope you enjoyed the sandwiches.