[Baphomet]

(07-11-2014 10:18 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 10:07 AM)Baphomet Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 10:02 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 09:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

I am a strong believer in karma and if there is a way of returning it I always will.

I do too and am a big advocate.

Also in my view me contributing the money to charity is building karma for the guy who lost it rather than myself; he may need that more than I do and he can have it.

Fuck, am I way off here ?

So you lose your wallet with $500 in cash in it. Bertha Acidcrotch finds it and "donates" your money to Jezebel for their "fine work in the advancement of feminism."

Feeling that karma are you?

Not sure what your tone is trying to convey. Welcome, and I wish you luck on the forum.

In response though, I guess I'll never know. And I don't care since I create a wall against bad Karma through meditation.

All I can hope for is that Ms. Acidcrotch doesn't let me know about the $500 Jezebel donation. That would hurt so bad.

It was meant in humor, Brother. No disrespect.

[username]

I think a wallet with someone's ID in it you have to return it with all the cash still in it.

Here is a twist.... you are walking and you see an envelope on the ground and it is stuffed with cash, there is nothing else inside the envelope besides cash. What do you do?

[Cobra]

(07-11-2014 12:20 PM)Espresso Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 09:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

I am a strong believer in karma and if there is a way of returning it I always will.
...
I gave the kid a hundred dollars, told him some funny stories about a RC car I had growing up and told him to by a RC helicopter instead. Karma balance restored haha.

(07-11-2014 10:02 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

Also in my view me contributing the money to charity is building karma for the guy who lost it rather than myself

(07-11-2014 10:18 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

And I don't care since I create a wall against bad Karma through meditation.

Do you guys actually believe in "karma"?

Are you only returning the wallet because you are trying to avoid some retribution in the future?

I would return the wallet of course, but not because I'm afraid of some magical force that will come and get me, but because it's a decent thing to do.

Karma is no t some magical force. People who believe that are just being ignorant of something they are unfamiliar with.

I was only introduced to this concept because I come from a Hindu family not because I sought it out. At that time I too thought it was a magical force but as it didn't make sense at all, I sought out a more realistic answer.

Think about your energy; how positive you are. If you do shit that is not decent, you won't FEEL DECENT. It will bother your conscience and affect your positive energy.

As that energy escapes through your words and your body language, you sound more shady and negative. People like you less and less.

It fucks up your ability to connect. And in turn, you get less from life and fail to make real connections that last.

That is Karma, at least for me.

Now I feel like I derailed the thread a little.

[Cobra]

(07-11-2014 12:43 PM)Baphomet Wrote:  

It was meant in humor, Brother. No disrespect.

Sorry man, I get protective of the forum because it's done a lot for me. And the forum is riddled with trolls so sometimes I get overly cautious. Likewise, I also didn't mean to come off so abrasive.

You seem like you have a good head and are here to stay.

[TheWastelander]

The base part of me says: "Take it, you found it and they're suckers!"

The moral part of me says: "Return it, because you know how much losing your wallet sucks."

Is this beta?

[pitt]

(07-11-2014 02:54 PM)Cobra Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 12:20 PM)Espresso Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 09:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

I am a strong believer in karma and if there is a way of returning it I always will.
...
I gave the kid a hundred dollars, told him some funny stories about a RC car I had growing up and told him to by a RC helicopter instead. Karma balance restored haha.

(07-11-2014 10:02 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

Also in my view me contributing the money to charity is building karma for the guy who lost it rather than myself

(07-11-2014 10:18 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

And I don't care since I create a wall against bad Karma through meditation.

Do you guys actually believe in "karma"?

Are you only returning the wallet because you are trying to avoid some retribution in the future?

I would return the wallet of course, but not because I'm afraid of some magical force that will come and get me, but because it's a decent thing to do.

Karma is no t some magical force. People who believe that are just being ignorant of something they are unfamiliar with.

I was only introduced to this concept because I come from a Hindu family not because I sought it out. At that time I too thought it was a magical force but as it didn't make sense at all, I sought out a more realistic answer.

Think about your energy; how positive you are. If you do shit that is not decent, you won't FEEL DECENT. It will bother your conscience and affect your positive energy.

As that energy escapes through your words and your body language, you sound more shady and negative. People like you less and less.

It fucks up your ability to connect. And in turn, you get less from life and fail to make real connections that last.

That is Karma, at least for me.

Now I feel like I derailed the thread a little.

Have you heard of psychopaths? Many psychopaths have done really evil shit and if you were to meet some of them, you would think they are really nice people. So doing bad things doesn't necessarily make you sound more shady and negative. Psychopaths also don't have any conscience, they will kill somebody who was close to them and next day they are acting like nothing ever happened.

Many many people are like that, not just psychopaths. They do bad stuff and it doesn't mean that they will be carrying a negative energy.

If you want to return it, you should return it because you feel that is the right thing to do not because you scared of karma.

[el mechanico]

(07-11-2014 05:22 PM)pitt Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 02:54 PM)Cobra Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 12:20 PM)Espresso Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 09:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

I am a strong believer in karma and if there is a way of returning it I always will.
...
I gave the kid a hundred dollars, told him some funny stories about a RC car I had growing up and told him to by a RC helicopter instead. Karma balance restored haha.

(07-11-2014 10:02 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

Also in my view me contributing the money to charity is building karma for the guy who lost it rather than myself

(07-11-2014 10:18 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

And I don't care since I create a wall against bad Karma through meditation.

Do you guys actually believe in "karma"?

Are you only returning the wallet because you are trying to avoid some retribution in the future?

I would return the wallet of course, but not because I'm afraid of some magical force that will come and get me, but because it's a decent thing to do.

Karma is no t some magical force. People who believe that are just being ignorant of something they are unfamiliar with.

I was only introduced to this concept because I come from a Hindu family not because I sought it out. At that time I too thought it was a magical force but as it didn't make sense at all, I sought out a more realistic answer.

Think about your energy; how positive you are. If you do shit that is not decent, you won't FEEL DECENT. It will bother your conscience and affect your positive energy.

As that energy escapes through your words and your body language, you sound more shady and negative. People like you less and less.

It fucks up your ability to connect. And in turn, you get less from life and fail to make real connections that last.

That is Karma, at least for me.

Now I feel like I derailed the thread a little.

Have you heard of psychopaths? Many psychopaths have done really evil shit and if you were to meet some of them, you would think they are really nice people. So doing bad things doesn't necessarily make you sound more shady and negative. Psychopaths also don't have any conscience, they will kill somebody who was close to them and next day they are acting like nothing ever happened.

Many many people are like that, not just psychopaths. They do bad stuff and it doesn't mean that they will be carrying a negative energy.

If you want to return it, you should return it because you feel that is the right thing to do not because you scared of karma.

Also there are types of people that think it's their job to deliver instant karma' to others because they think they deserve it. Where I live we call them " Greeks"

[pitt]

haha exactly el mechanico. I think that is the only way karma exists. You do something evil to a person, if he ain't no sucker, he is probably going to get you back in the long run.

[Espresso]

(07-11-2014 02:54 PM)Cobra Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 12:20 PM)Espresso Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 09:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

I am a strong believer in karma and if there is a way of returning it I always will.
...
I gave the kid a hundred dollars, told him some funny stories about a RC car I had growing up and told him to by a RC helicopter instead. Karma balance restored haha.

(07-11-2014 10:02 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

Also in my view me contributing the money to charity is building karma for the guy who lost it rather than myself

(07-11-2014 10:18 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

And I don't care since I create a wall against bad Karma through meditation.

Do you guys actually believe in "karma"?

Are you only returning the wallet because you are trying to avoid some retribution in the future?

I would return the wallet of course, but not because I'm afraid of some magical force that will come and get me, but because it's a decent thing to do.

Karma is no t some magical force. People who believe that are just being ignorant of something they are unfamiliar with.

I was only introduced to this concept because I come from a Hindu family not because I sought it out. At that time I too thought it was a magical force but as it didn't make sense at all, I sought out a more realistic answer.

Think about your energy; how positive you are. If you do shit that is not decent, you won't FEEL DECENT. It will bother your conscience and affect your positive energy.

As that energy escapes through your words and your body language, you sound more shady and negative. People like you less and less.

It fucks up your ability to connect. And in turn, you get less from life and fail to make real connections that last.

That is Karma, at least for me.

Now I feel like I derailed the thread a little.

Well in that case, fair enough. Although then I don't see the need to call it some special word like Karma, which has religious/mystical connotations. What you are describing here is just common sense.

But then you talk about building karma for some other dude just by the act of donating his money to some charity, that he neither approves of nor even aware of. That makes no rational sense -- unless there's something supernatural at play.

[el mechanico]

(07-11-2014 05:33 PM)pitt Wrote:  

haha exactly el mechanico. I think that is the only way karma exists. You do something evil to a person, if he ain't no sucker, he is probably going to get you back in the long run.

Honestly. I would handle it like this.. I'd call the guy and tell him . Look fuck I got you wallet and cash and will give it back to you but.. Courtesy is a reward for being honest so I'll be honest and tell you that I'm taking half or you can blow my balls to high oblivion and get jack ass shit.

[el mechanico]

^ Further explained.. If someone gave my stuff back I'd split and in my life have seen too many very honest people turned off by people by doing the right thing and giving up findings and treasure to get 5 bucks or nothing.

You lost it so pay who found it.

[Blaster]

(07-11-2014 09:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

I am a strong believer in karma and if there is a way of returning it I always will.

I don't believe in Karma but I do believe in community. If a critical mass of people can be counted on to make a best effort to return lost property, then odds are good that you'll benefit at some point.

The upside of a community with these values is that they don't have to waste time and energy being paranoid about keeping their belongings secure.

The downside of such a community is that people can be more careless with their things. They'll be vulnerable to exploitative sociopaths who ignore the community standards and act strictly for personal gain.
[/align]

[teh_skeeze]

Yes I would return it. I lost my wallet and about $100 cash in one of the craziest mosh pits I've ever been a part of. I didn't realize it was missing until it was time to leave several hours later. I was hoping to get my wallet and I.D. back, but expected the cash to be gone. I was surprised when I got it back from the bar with the cash still in it. If the person who found it had returned it to me personally, I would have bought them a drink.

[ryanf]

If I had $1.67 in the bank I would still return it. Not sure if it was how I was raised or if I actually have sympathy, but I would always return it if possible. A heavy conscience is a fucking beast of a burden.

[RawGod]

I've lost my wallet and got it back in the mail, sans cash. Fair enough. Glad to live in a country where at least people have the courtesy to do that.

[arribaperro]

I'll return it exactly as I found it. Honor before greed.
I think a man needs to live on certain unwavering principles. That's the basis for a strong conviction influencing your actions regardless of what other people think about you.
It's like you make a promise to do something, or you agree to meet at a certain time, then it's important to carry out your end of the bargain or be punctual.

When I was a young kid, I had lost my wallet in a library, causing me some distress. A few weeks later, the wallet was mailed to me with everything in it, including cash. That made a strong impression on me. The least I can do is "pay it forward" for someone else's lost wallet.

[BortimusPrime]

I remember this happened to my mother once, she dropped her purse in a parking lot. Some other woman found it and called to return it, but on doing so proceeded to spin this giant sob story about how her little son Timmy found it after his dog got run over and his legs were crippled while working in evil old man Bigsby's textile factory so he could earn enough money to buy shoes to go to school, etc, etc... I think my mom gave her fifty bucks or something.

We concluded that the only reason my mom got her purse back was because she only had something like twelve bucks in it and they had read her checkbook balance and concluded that they might get a better reward bringing it back. So while my mom was happy to get her stuff back, the altruism of the act was definitely dampened by the wheedling for a reward.

[Christian McQueen]

One night many moons ago a friend of mine, a slut I pulled from a bar and myself pulled into a popular gas station in Hollywood right off Highland.

It was around 2:15am, and the bars close at 2am in this police state, so there were cops everywhere.

As I went into the gas station to pay for some gas, I noticed a BMW 6 series convertible parked in front of the gas station door with a black dude slumped over at the wheel. The car was on but this dude was passed the fuck out.

I tried getting him to wake up, even shaking his shoulder but to no avail. I turned his car off and put the keys in his console. Dude still hadn't woken up.

He was breathing and based on my many years of drunkeness could tell he was just passed out.

Taking the keys out would prevent him from getting a DUI and at worst just a public intox, so I felt I had done my duty.

As I was walking around the back of the car to return to my friend's car, I glanced in the passenger seat. Remember, it's a 6 series convertible.

Around $400 in 20's just splayed out on the seat. I wrote a note telling him I had his money and that I had turned off his car, where I put the keys etc and left my cell number too. I took the $400 and myself, the bar slut and my buddy went on our merry way.

The next day (Sunday) he called me and wanted to meet up. I met him at a Panera Bread with the $400. I told him I had saved him thousands in a DUI etc, so that it was only fair he split the money with me. He agreed, I came up $200 for doing a good deed and we went on our seperate ways never to see each other again.

The hysterical part is that he was a Deputy Prosecutor for an affluent Los Angeles city which he told me about when we met (I fact checked and he was legit). Not only did I save his ass, I probably saved his career.

[soup]

Nice story McQueen.

I think I'd feel better not taking someone's money, but getting them their wallet back with everything in tact. I probably wouldn't ask for a finder's fee, but I'd probably give something if they brought my lost wallet back to me.

BTW if any of you are looking for free money.. always check by the floor near a crowded bar. I've spent a lot of time posted up at bars, and have found some cash from time to time on the floor.. once I found like $60

[J.B]

(07-11-2014 10:06 AM)el mechanico Wrote:  

Keep the cash AND steal his identify get a spare passport in his name then run up all his credit cards to max while applying for more in his name. Hijack all his social media and have sex with his wife.

Sounds like a couple of Mexicans I know...

[Veloce]

I'd profile the guy.

Google his name, see what comes up. Trust fund baby with 100 mil? I'm pulling an el mech. Steal the cash and sell his information to interested parties.

But if it looks like some average dude that really needs the cash, maybe he was on the way to buy a car in cash or some shit, I'd return it.

[Jaydublin]

(07-11-2014 08:49 AM)Cobra Wrote:  

Honestly, I would go to the bank and get a check made out to a decent charity/ies once I fucking screen the shit out of them.

I've been blessed with more than just two hands, eyes and legs and I've been proud of what I've earned with just that.

I don't need to take more when there are people that don't have the opportunities I've had.

What causes would I commit to? Now that's a more interesting discussion.

Edit: I believe the person that lost that much cash has a better ability to earn it than the people I would contribute it to on his/her anonymous behalf; and yes I would take it upon myself to make this decision for them.

That is great that you want to help out but dont think you taking the money that does not belong to you, putting zero effort into finding its owner, then giving it to a charity is any different than the guy who buys drugs, the guy who puts it towards a home for his family, or the woman who puts it towards her daughters college.

[speakeasy]

(07-11-2014 08:42 AM)wi30 Wrote:  

I have never found a wallet, but I have found other items that I have returned. If I found a wallet with a lot of money, I would return everything without a doubt. I grew up in the Midwest and I believe it's right thing to do.

Finding a 20 dollar bill or something on the street is fair game though.

Co-sign. My policy is return anything if there is an ID attached or otherwise an easy way to find the owner. Cash with no ID is mine.

This is actually a litmus test question I've used on girls. I couldn't take any woman seriously that didn't have an honest and decent character. A woman that would not return the wallet is not the type of woman I would want raising my kids.

I think thedude's approach is pragmatic though. If some Saudi prince that shits on a golden toilet lost some money I'd keep as a fuck you to the excess of the 1%.

[iknowexactly]

In Hawaii I found a little kid's Batman wallet on a city bus. It had ten dollars in it and a private school ID.

I took two of the ten dollars to mail it and sent it to the school to give to the kid.

The kid sent me a letter thanking me.

You can't buy that for ten dollars.

[speakeasy]

(07-11-2014 06:54 PM)Blaster Wrote:  

(07-11-2014 09:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

I am a strong believer in karma and if there is a way of returning it I always will.

I don't believe in Karma but I do believe in community. If a critical mass of people can be counted on to make a best effort to return lost property, then odds are good that you'll benefit at some point.

The upside of a community with these values is that they don't have to waste time and energy being paranoid about keeping their belongings secure.

The downside of such a community is that people can be more careless with their things. They'll be vulnerable to exploitative sociopaths who ignore the community standards and act strictly for personal gain.
[/align]

A Swedish girl was telling me about the generous benefits in Sweden and I mentioned how easy it must be to exploit the system there. She said there's a strong sense of common community and she'd never do that because it betrays the community.