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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,136 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
621 Posts |
Hello everyone. I hope all is well for everyone. What I want to discuss is a situation I found myself in recently I'm having kind of mixed thought on. One of the things I do as part of my job is to take cash on orders. well, the other night I was the only one there in front so I was doing orders and cash and everything. I had an elderly gentleman come in and order a senior coffee and handed me 6 dimes right away as he already knew the cost apparently, then said he was sorry it was all dimes but he cleaned out his ashtray. I took the money and I could not help but notice the 3rd dime in the 6 was a 1958 silver roosie. a part of me thought about saying something like "you just gave me a silver dime sir" but it was a split second sort of decision and I didn't and he left after getting his coffee. The silver dime immediately went into the little side tray I keep coins I'm going to buy from the drawer and went home with me and it was very exciting and really made my day to get it but a part of me isn't sure what to think.. I mean, if it was me and I tried to spend silver id want someone to tell me, but in the past when I was on a break from collecting I would of told them it was all theirs and it should be with someone who can appreciate it. which is how I think that guy probably felt too as he spent it after looking at it but then maybe he didn't know what he had is possible too... so I'm torn. how would you guys feel?
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
only one, I would not feel bad. I am sure he knew what he was using to buy his coffee, and maybe that was his way of inspiring coin collecting in another.
I would feel obligated to say something if they were all silver.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I probably would have told him that he gave me a silver coin. If he was not a collector he would most likely just spend it(good for you) and if he was a collector and the silver coin got mixed in by mistake he might want it back(good of you). Either way I don't see this as a big deal,were talking about a coin worth around $2.Add it to your collection/hoard and just keep looking for the (good stuff). John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3079 Posts |
I do know that most people,that aren't either collectors or scrapers don't know or care that it might be worth more than face value. Most can't tell you the date either for the silver coinage or the penny change. They do show up in change, due to the thefts from homes and small amounts or the horde of silver spenders of just face value are spent by the criminals so they don't draw attention to them selves. If he comes in again, and your store has a freebee give him one!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
I'd had a similar experience with pennies in the past, a gentleman had come in with $2 worth of rolled pennies and I mentioned that I liked looking through rolls. He told me there wouldn't be anything worth keeping in them as he'd just rolled them, when I broke the rolls open as he was leaving the counter, one of the first coins out was a pristine 1974-S proof cent. I never said anything and I still wonder if he even knew it was in there..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
He probably didn't know, if you pointed it out , he probably wouldn't care.
I feel guilty over little stuff like that too. Just reach into your pocket the next couple of times he comes in and buy his coffee for him.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
624 Posts |
If you don't mind me asking... is the fact that he was an old man weighing on you? What if it was a Goth garbed teenager with piercings and tattoos? I know you're just trying to be descriptive, but I hope it's important that we treat people the right way because we're all human beings and not because we believe them to be worthy of our pity. I sound a bit 'preachy' and I'm sorry. I think the fact that you thought about what you did and took the time to bring it to this forum is a sign that you don't think you acted ethically. You should give yourself a lot of credit, because the only way that we improve ourselves is to live our lives to learn by our errors. One of the most wonderful gifts we can give with very little effort is to treat others well...
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Valued Member
United States
362 Posts |
You can also look at it from another perspective, albeit out there, the man was a drug addict and needed his fix of caffeine. You never know what he'd have done for that cup of joe, if you didn't oblige him?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2764 Posts |
If you feel really really bad about your decision, when he come back again, you can upgrade his coffee or give him a free donuts (or something of your choice) to make his day. However, if he come back and use more silver coins to buy stuffs then you definitely want to let him know, may be offering to buy those silver coins from him at a reasonable price to you & him.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2764 Posts |
Other than that, no big deal..... don't worry too much. If you are just like any other normal cashiers then that dime will passing along to someone else anyways. You are doing fine.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
Ok fatman, that is really funny! Quote:
Just reach into your pocket the next couple of times he comes in and buy his coffee for him. and others like it I think are on the right track. Or if you feel like it, put it aside to show him the next time he is there and offer to buy the next few rounds for him. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
849 Posts |
If someone gave me a whole roll I might make a comment but no one is going to go make a trip somewhere to cash in a dime for $2. Not worth the time or the gas. I'm sure he didn't pay more than face value for it.
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
Yeah, it's not really worth that much.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
I am surprised that a good deal of people have a problem with this. It renews my faith.
Look, the dime is not worth a lot. BUT, to treat the gentleman with kindness and respect when he comes in again
will me more to him than two bucks.
A few kind words are sometimes worth more than a few dollars.
But yeah, a free doughnut wouldn't hurt either!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
621 Posts |
bamablue, you make an interesting point. I think for me its not so much pity as I was raised with a strong principle of respecting your elders and progressing as far as I have in life so far(26, I don't know how it happened. it seems like yesterday I was 20)ive come to appreciate all that they must of gone through in their long lives even more. some went through more than others I'm sure but they've all got their stories behind their lives.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
You never know what he'd have done for that cup of joe, if you didn't oblige him? So true do not mess with people and their caffeine |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,136 |
Posted 04/23/2013 05:02 am
