Giving “Ben” Back to the Passenger in Front – Honesty Story #24

This is a really great story about the honesty of one of our readers. The honesty displayed by him was remarkable. He also brings up some very good questions.

I was around 14 years old (I’m 19 now) and was flying to some destination. Midway through the flight, (I had a window seat), I found dollar bill lying just a few inches in front of my feet under the seat in front of me. When I bent down to pick it up, my eyes widened in shock! This was not just a dollar bill, it was an authentic $100 bill! I looked at the guy next to me, (I was flying alone in coach) and in disbelief said, “What would you do if you found a $100 dollars?” He shrugged at me, but then I showed him that I physically had it. He was stunned and I explained to him where I found it. He emphasized that it wasn’t his C-note.

During our decent from 20,000 feet I mustered up the courage to ask the guy directly in front of me if this “Green Ben” was his. He claimed it was, and I gave it to him. I don’t remember if he even said thank you. It was very low key exchange and he didn’t even look behind to see “his” C-Note’s founder. He just reached behind his head rest without looking back.

I shall always wonder if I should have kept it. I mean, what proof did the guy have that he lost a $100 dollars under his seat? Also, don’t you think it’s strange for someone to lose a hundred dollars and not be happy to have it back, much less from a teenager? Anyway, I was honest. Maybe I was too honest.

Sent in by Chase Musgrove

2 comments February 11th, 2008