'How honest do you think people are?' poll discussion

FATBALLZ

Depends which station it was. If it was somewhere full of scummy people like London you'd probably never see it again. Some places more rural or up North are a bit better.

Thinking about it it probably depends what time it was too. If it was early before the doleys get out of bed you might be alright.

Septimus_ii

It depends where it is. In a London terminus I reckon people simply wouldn't notice it. In the North I would imagine it being handed in

minerva_windsong

I'd like to think someone would have handed it in, but having recently lost a travelcard and it not turning up I can see why people would be cynical about that sort of thing (although I do think it's sad but not surprising that that seems to be a common attitude).

If I found something like that however I'd definitely hand it in, as having been the person who's lost stuff it's not a nice experience.

Gavin83

I'd honestly be surprised if I got it back. For the purposes of the poll I'm 25.

I would attempt to first find the person if I found one and if I couldn't I'd hand it in but then I guess no one is going to say anything different on this topic are they?

Mojisola

ScarletBea wrote: »

I can't believe most people say that someone would have taken it... that's really an awful view to have of the world...

I'm more pessimistic about the honesty of the general public after reading the replies to other moral questions on MSE. I've been quite shocked at how many people are ready to admit that they would steal, cheat and lie and don't see anything wrong with their decisions.

avasgranny

Having spent all my life trusting others it has come as a hell of a shock to find we have a thief amongst our colleagues, she is a young university student who unfortunately has spent the last 8 weeks or so looking down her nose at the rest of us. Karma, my dear, Karma. One day!!!

leathersofa

Sadly, I agree with Mojisola. I've stopped being surprised but I do find it sad. However, the cheering thing is that it's still very much a minority who are like this.

Grumpyswife

Many years ago (early 80's) I was going to draw some money out of the cash machine at my local bank. I parked directly outside on the street, and as I got out of the car there was a rolled up bundle of notes by my feet. I opened the bundle up and there was £80.

My Mum was with me, as the bank was closed we decided that she would take the money to the police station and I would wait with the car and see if anyone came back for it.

They did return, we sent them on to the Police Station and they got back their £80 - it had fallen out of his pocket as he got in his car just prior to my arrival. It was his week's wages.

How many people do you think would have done the same? I guess quite a few would have said 'finders keepers' and kept the money, after all how easy would it be to identify whose it was?

Needless to say he was very grateful!

Mojisola

I found someone's purse in a supermarket shopping trolley. It had slipped down behind the baby seat bit and I didn't notice it until I got to the checkout. I showed it the lad on the checkout and he said "It's your lucky day - finders keepers".

Needless to say, I didn't leave it with him. I just hope the supervisor was more honest than he was!

DervProf

ScarletBea wrote: »

I can't believe most people say that someone would have taken it... that's really an awful view to have of the world...

And yet I think you'll find it's a fairly realistic view.

Yes, there are some honest people in this world, and I'd like to think I was one of them. A wallet with cash in it ? I'd keep it, but tell someone who works in the station that I had found a wallet, leaving my number so that any prospective owner could contact me to identify and retrieve it. Sorry, but how would I know the person I handed it in to would make sure it got to it's rightful owner ? I suppose I am an little untrusting, but I`ve been on this planet long enough to realise that there are more than a few folk who are less than honest.