Ethical dilemma on cashier mistake

[prolesunited]

Poll question: Ethical dilemma on cashier mistake

I was picking up food for the office tonight and asked the cashier for change for a $20 to give people change. First, I paid for the food with two twenties.

The girl at the counter got distracted getting more singles for the bar, opening a box of utensils and grabbing condiments. She got back to me about the change for the $20. She doled it out and tried to give me the $20 back, saying that I already had given it to her.

So, if you could walk away with the extra $20, what would you have done?

[LDS Jock]

1. Always give it back

and when the error is in the other direction, I b**** and moan til I get my money back.

[NightTrain]

2. I had a similar experience last month.

The teller at my bank gave me $100 more than she sould have. I actually walked out and pocketed the money before I had an attack of conscience and decided to give it back. The teller's gratitude showed me that I made the right decision!

[SW FL Dem]

3. give it back or she might lose her job.

[SOteric]

4. Or her boss my dock it from her already sparse wages.

Either way, I hate to think someone else might suffer so I could have a measely extra 20 bucks. I have gainful employment, supportive and loving family and good friends. I don't need to aid to someone's suffering for a bonus $20.

[SarahB]

5. I always give it back.

It would otherwise gnaw at my gut to know I benefited from someone else's suffering.

[Eye and Monkey]

6. Perhaps that's not really an ethical dilemma.

I mean, I don't see the dilemma part.

[prolesunited]

8. C'mon

you can't think of anybody you know that would NOT have given it back?

Of course, I did. O8)

[Eye and Monkey]

11. that question is a very different issue - why would someone else's -

ethical lapse serve as precedence or complicate your own decision?

[prolesunited]

13. Didn't complicate MY decision at all

I was just curious if any DUers would say they would keep the money, especially if they could do in anonymously on a poll.

[DS1]

7. Given it back every time.

Besides, you often get handed free shit for your effort.

[PartyPooper]

9. This reminds me of when I was a poor and starving college student.

One day I arrived early for a lecture. The classroom was empty and I found a wallet at my desk with $350 inside. In those days that was a LOT of money. (It was 1968. I was paying $50 each month for rent. Gas was like 25¢ per gallon for my used VW. Well, you get the picture.)

Anyway, I spent considerable time and effort tracking down the rightful owner. I did locate him. Probably, I could have used the money more than him. But, it wasn't mine.

Funny thing, he said that he had written it off as a loss. So, I'm sure he was surprised and happy to get it back. I was happy for him, too.

O8)

[testing123]

10. Her job is on the line if you keep it

I wouldn't even think about keeping it I would have given it back immediately.

[Tom Kitten]

12. No contest!

IF you have ethics AT ALL You give the money back! Is it that hard to comprehend? It was a mistake...And if the cashier admits it it's bad news for him or her...I know, I've been a cashier before and got short-changed 30$ once...they took it out of my pay!

[SheilaT]

14. Always give it back.

It's not the company that will eat the loss, but the cashier. And chances are she has a lot less than you. And even if she doesn't, it's simply good karma to do the good deed.

[Kenneth ken]

15. given it back

I have had occasions at the grocery where the checker missed a key and instead of 24 cans of cat food, tried to charge me for 4. Or something similar. I always know roughly how much my bill should be, so if it comes in significantly lower, I blurt, that can't be right - before I even think about whether it is a good or bad idea to say anything.