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Thursday, August 28, 2014

"In all my born days..." and Accidental Windfall

I would never imagine anyone giving me $20 for returning a Visa card.

After I paid for my gas, I went out to pump it. There, right beside my gas tank on the ground was a Visa card. I picked it up, put it in my pocket, intending to take it inside. But, I pumped my gas, went on my way. I took off those pants and two days later was going to wash them. There was the Visa card. I left it on the bathroom counter so I would not stash it somewhere "safe" and never find it.

I called today and talked to the woman's husband. He said that only moments before my call did she realize she did not have it. So, he said he would come get it anywhere, anytime today or when it was convenient. Then, I discovered I had no bread or buns for the turkey sandwich planned for lunch. So, I called him back and told him we would meet him at Burger King as we were going through the drive-thru.

He met us with a smile, an older man, very fit and with a strong gait. As he took the card, he slipped a $20 into my hand and kept backing up and folding my hand around it as I objected to taking money. If he weren't faster than I am, I would have gone to his car and put the money inside. And, I think it so rude to toss a gift of money to the ground. Sooo, guess who paid for our lunch. Of course, we used a coupon, bought a fifty-cent Coke from a machine and sat under the picnic tree. (a former post shows the tree throwing shade to park under, right at the back of the parking lot.) We are not spending $4 on fountain cokes! Now, exbf is working his meal off while I sitting with ear drops in my ear, trying not to let them run out soon.

Still, I feel almost ashamed for taking the money.

As we ate, I told exbf, "Never in all my born days would I expect to get money for returning a credit card or anything!"

Now, that is a good old Southern expression that I heard all the time from my Mississippi relatives and people in Memphis and Jackson, Mississippi.

Your turn
Have you ever heard that expression? Where did you hear it? State? Relatives? Slugmama, how about you?

Would you feel guilty for taking a $20 bill for simply being honest and caring that a woman got her cc back?

21 comments:

  1. I've heard the expression, though I don't remember the context it was said in. That was when I lived in Illinois, so it went pretty far north.

    And I'm like you--I wouldn't want money for doing the right thing. But, I also don't think that fella was going to take no for an answer--so enjoy the lunch out --on him!

    :)

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    Replies
    1. Sue,
      Maybe it is just and old expression.

      We did enjoy the lunch and did not buy more than we planned just because the money was free. Exbf and I are both almost frugal to a fault. That is one of the things I liked about him from the beginning.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  2. Oh, I've heard that one and many more growing up in Virginia, mostly from older relatives when we went "to the country" to visit my mother's extended family.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Slugmama,
      I knew you would have heard it. Yes, it was older people, mostly born in 1800s and in the country or freshly moved to the city. I don't think I ever heard Mama say it. I wonder now.

      Delete
  3. Can you imagine how grateful they were to know the card did not fall into the wrong hands? You deserve that reward.

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    Replies
    1. carol,
      And, I felt bad for not telling them sooner. I suppose he did not mind waiting until tomorrow since he got my phone number and name. He would have to know that person was honest....or stupid. Thanks. I will enjoy spending it after affirmations like that.

      Delete
  4. I've heard it; probably used it. In certain context, it can be followed with "Well, bless their heart."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jess, LOL
      Most likely, you are absolutely correct about the second pronouncement..

      Delete
  5. I have read that phrase, but not heard it.
    I would have been embarrassed about accepting $20 for behaving as I was brought up. And on the flip side, if someone had returned my Visa card I would have been very, very grateful - and tried to express my appreciation.
    You did good, and he showed how much he appreciated it. Enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've heard the expression, but I think it was in movies or on TV. I would be quite surprised if someone gave me money for doing what I should do without reward, but I don't think I'd feel guilty. At one of the newspapers where I worked, a woman who labored putting advertising inserts in the paper did me a great kindness that I didn't know about until a few days later. I wrote a thank you note and gave it to her with a $20 bill inside. She said, I don't want to take this, but will it make you feel better? Yes, I said emphatically. Then I thanked her again, and she thanked me and accepted the gift.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janie,
      Both of you were very gracious. Like I said, if I thought I could outrun him, I would have tried to give it back with more effort...lol. Thanks for that comment for the next time I find something or give money for an act that benefits me.

      Delete
  7. That is something we would say here in Northern Ireland

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Mississippi relatives were Scot-Irish. Well, a large part of the country is, so maybe it is more wide-spread than I thought. Thanks for that information.

      Delete
  8. I have heard that expression and I have used it. I have also shared a little spare cash with someone who returned something to me that I lost. Enjoy getting the little windfall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patti,
      I would only use that expression with someone who knew me well unless I was trying to be "country" for a silly effect.
      I do intend to enjoy the $15 dollars left after lunch.

      Delete
  9. My husband has helped people when they gave been stuck out in the bush. No petrol, flat tyre...A few have given him money as a thankyou and though he doesn't like taking it you can only say "no thanks" so many times. Them giving it makes them feel better so it would be rude to keep refusing. We sometime feel bad to make them feel good.

    Lucky you found it though, it could have been picked up by someone not as honest.

    Barb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barb,
      It is true that sometimes it seems rude to refuse. That guy said he wanted us to enjoy the $20.

      I was thinking as I picked it up that I was glad I found it instead of someone up to no good. Even if I tried to use that card, you just know I would get caught! Of course, the thought of using it never crossed my mind.

      Delete
  10. I think that he was just so glad that he didn't have to call the credit card company or get new numbers and have to change all of his automatic bills.
    But I would feel odd about taking the money too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's an expression that I haven't heard in years. I wouldn't want to take money for doing a good deed, but if I needed the money and/or if the man wouldn't take no for an answer, I would.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've heard that one a time or two. :-)

    Janie has the right idea; he gave it to you to make sure you knew how grateful he was and I'll bet it gave him an extra level of satisfaction.

    You're a good egg, Linda.

    ReplyDelete

Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.