Most of us are taught at a young age to be honest in all our dealings with our fellow people; however, is there sometimes an exception to this rule? Is it possible to bend this rule just a little bit for the benefit of helping out a needy friend? Can we bend it to save ourselves from a lengthy explanation that might not even accomplish the desperately needed task? I had such an experience yesterday where this debate played out almost unexpectedly.
My friend Priscilla Vanderbelt (name has been changed to protect the identity of the innocent) accidentally left her purchasing power (aka wallet) on a public transportation device (aka bus) when she was heading to that dreaded occupational location (aka. work). Because she was in a hurry to get there on time, she asked if I would stand at the agonizingly long place where many people waste minutes of their precious time (aka bus stop)and see if the wallet was still on the bus. [Doesn't it feel like you wait for the bus forever, even if it is only a couple of minutes?]
When the bus driver pulled up, I stepped on and asked if he or someone else found a small black wallet. He picked it up and while handing it to me said that someone turned it in.
"Thanks, that's the one!" I said and smiled as I turned to get off the bus.
"Wait! I shouldn't just hand that to you, what is your name?" He responded.
Without hesitating for one minute, I said with as much confidence as I could muster "Priscilla Vanderbelt!"
He handed me the wallet and said to have a good day! I took the wallet, double checked the ID to be sure it was Priscilla's, and meandered my way down the street to return it to its rightful owner.
Some may argue that I should have just said my real name that I was Priscilla's friend and was picking her wallet up for her because she had to get to work. I guess I could have explained the situation, but honestly, would he really have believe such a sob story. Instead, I had to be slightly dishonest so I could accomplish the much needed task. I guess others may argue that I was doing my friend a favor in claiming her name as my own because I saved her the embarrassment (not that it was really that embarrassing) of having to admit to leaving her wallet in free public domain. Is one slight moment of dishonesty worth saving face for my friend - Definitely!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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1 comments:
I think in this case since she knew you were getting it for her you should be fine. Obviously if your intent was to be an identity thief, than I'd answer differently.
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