Real life MMD: Should I keep the cash?

jamespir

id keep it but buy her some asprin

batchworth

I think you should return the money to the householder telling them that you were covering for the usual paper girl. It is likely that they will either offer you the money or at least split the money. This will leave you with a clear conscience.

awehla

tripled wrote: »

If you filling in was just a one off, I'd just pass the lot over, but being as you do the round quite regularly anyway I'd split it with them - perhaps go to the pub together and use it as a kitty or something?

Not that you are encouraging illegal drinking or anything, lol.

awehla

sid351 wrote: »

I say keep it and keep quiet, unless "often" means something like once a month, then I'd split it.

Secondly, I'd like to remind those that are harping on about "underage drinking" that there are circumstances where a 17 year old can LEGALLY drink, and therefore be legally hungover.

Edit: Also, do you get paid for doing her round by the paper shop? If not, then regardless of how often "often" is, keep the money, no questions asked.

Well if they are getting drunk in restaurants or at home with their parents I'd be very surprised. But hey most people drink before they are 18 so that isn't really the issue. The issue is whether to take the high road and give the money to a friend you always cover for (and hope she offers to split it) or keep it for yourself as a reward.

awehla

I always feel guilty so I would be a doormat and give my friend the money. If I wasn't someone who feels guilty easily I'd keep the money since you always cover for her and she should have done her round instead of wussing out. It will be good practice for when she gets older; to suck it up as my American boss would say and just got on with it hangover or not.

awehla

scotsbob wrote: »

Unless you are a mindreader, the only way you would know that the householder thought you were the regular delivery girl is if they told you.

Therefore you know the money isn't yours so you give it to your friend, it's hers.

They could just be making an assumption that the householder thought they were the regular papergirl.

awehla

RuthnJasper wrote: »

Split it equally. It's her friend's paper-round - but the keyword here is "often". The hungover girl "often" calls in sick and the friend bails her out. If the friend wasn't decent enough to fill in for the hungover girl, the latter would have been sacked long ago.

The hungover girl owes her sober friend more than one favour - to split the extra cash is only fair.

I might also subtly suggest some assistance for the girl with the persistent hangovers - she's drinking underage to a point where she's regularly (as implied with MSE Penelope's use of the word "often") hungover and unable to show up for work. That's not good - she needs a bit of help there.

As regards the tip, I'd be tempted to keep it and stay quiet - but the decent thing would be to go halves.

When I worked at MK One weekday staff often called in sick for hangovers/because it was a sunny day etc. - they didn't have drink problems they were just silly young girls with low motivation and a low sense of duty. I imagine most of them have grown out of it now.

penedawn

Of course you should keep the money. You earned it and it was her choice to go out and get wrecked and then to let her employer down. I wonder would she have done the same for you? She should be thankful you can cover her !!!! It would also be wise - as has been suggested - to alert the householder to the fact that you not the usual person and probably to return money the first time saying 'Let's leave it until next time' otherwise it gets too complicated. You appear responsible and honest and it saves them just leaving you with 5p after handing over £2! As you say, you live in a village so they are probably very aware that you are not the same person but they will not know about any agreement you might have with your friend. Conversation is a good way of building up long term relationships in your community, independent of your family unit, who they probably know and depending what you eventually chose to do later your reputation starts with these people. You also represent your employer so it might be worth having a word with him too so nothing can trip you us at any stage. You are being entrepreneurial and that should be rewarded. Perhaps you should ask your friend what she expects you to do about tips, for I doubt she had a discussion that went 'Look I like going out a lot and I expect you to cover my round if I don't get up, but I still want the tips so I can continue to go out'. Then you can decide just how much of a friend she is. You could always buy her a little gift to keep the friendship health. Maybe think what you might want to do in the same situation as your friend and how reasonable your wishes might be, for in a few months you might be the one who wants to go out and get wrecked and not get up! It's a tough job and takes hard work and determination, you will have a high profile in the village, whether you realise it or not and paperboys/girls are normally very well respected. I have a feeling that tax would be applied to your tips and earnings at 17, although you would have a earn over £9000 but it is worth taking into consideration so that you begin to make proper accounts, including what you actually take and what you may of may not pass on to your friend. That might put things into perspective.:j

MSE_Penelope wrote: »

This is a real life MMD so please bear in mind the MoneySaver in question will read your responses:

Please give this MoneySaver the benefit of your advice...

Should I keep the cash?

My friend & I are both 17 and do early morning paper rounds in our village. She often calls in sick when she's hungover, so I have to do her round on top of mine. One day, one of the householders gives me a bit of extra cash, thinking I'm the usual papergirl. Should I pass it on to her or keep quiet?

Click reply to have your say

Previous MMDs: View All

[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

therixonator

In my opinion this is a fairly easy one. You work hard, she doesn't. You make your own luck and your hard work has paid off. Keep the cash. And if you think she is the kind off person that benefits "the stick" rather than "the carrot" type of motivation, tell her you got the money whilst she was asleep/being sick!

And lastly, if you went and saw the kind person who tipped you and told your story, I bet he/she would tell you you've earned it!

Well done btw

davieh

Why not explain to your friend what's happened? If I was the friend, I'd be embarrassed for dumping the paper-round on my mate AGAIN and would let them keep the money.


Alternatively, if I was giving the tip, I'd rather not give it to the lazy, hungover person....actually, I'd give it to the friend who stepped in to make sure I got my paper, rather than end up without one.


Either way, same person gets the tip!