Karma??? If a bank teller gave you back too much change, would you return it?

Good morning WesterValleyGirl, Outstanding rebuke of thievery! Back in the 80's, I took a job as a Retail Mgmt Trainee. Halfway through the training program, the Regional Mgr. noticed that I had a knack for 'shrink prevention', i.e. theft deterrence. I was promoted to further develop that knack for deterrence. Having said that, I (like you) have seen the shocking statistics of theft, understand its rippling effect, and concur with your perspective whole-heartedly. This scenario (too much change) happens to my husband & I quite often. So much so, that we've discussed the possible meaning behind the frequent occurrences. Is it just employee incompetence? Or, is there something more going on, like the members of our society need to slow down, and/or focus more on the moment? Is our moral fortitude being tested? If so, why with regularity? Is it a personal test, or are we pawns in a bigger picture? Although I believe man has a will to direct his own destiny, I also tend to believe in the Bigger Picture; that there is a Divine Plan. If my views are accurate, could it be that these minor overages and shortings are part of that Master Plan? And if so, are they designed to strengthen our moral foundation, or are we interferring with the plan? One aspect that hubby & I have discussed is: What if the teller or cashier is destined for greater things, but remains at the job for reasons of fear? What if the Master Plan involves a big Universal nudge (i.e. getting fired or quitting for having to personally make restitution for the error) to get the teller on a different path? I have only been fired once in my life, not for anything unscrupulous -- a personality conflict w/my superior. And although it was a blow to my ego at the time, it was very fortuitous. Being forced to actively pursue other options led me on a much better path. Could it be that employee oversight is also part of the plan?

Perhaps, that could be the plan. We may never know, until it was meant for us to know, but everyone does have a plan and a goal and a life that they are destined to live, so that will be interesting to see where it takes them. However, we may only know the occurrences of those around us.

There are many interesting points here. I believe that everything we experience, every motion, every occurence, every encounter, every person we meet, every impression we get, just everything, is a result of the make up of our thoughts and beliefs combined with what we are looking for. From a scientific or technical point of view, over-changing is probably an accumulation of countless numbers of factors, some of which may include industry, attitude of employee/manager, education of cashier, state of alertness (attention to the present moment), the hour of day/amount of business, texture/stickiness of the bills/coins, employee pay, background, beliefs, etc. I like to attack this from an intention point of view. True intention always equals results. There is a visible or hidden intention to becoming over-changed. Maybe it's an intention to prove our virtues to ourselves. Maybe it's an intention to help others who need help. Maybe it's an intention to improve your theft deterrent skills. It can be anything. I notice things like that too. It's pretty amazing. I love the fact that we can align our intentions to change our circumstances at any time. For example, if you suddenly had the intention to prove to yourself that all businesses were corrupt and that everybody is looking to steal from you, you will become a person who always seems to get under-changed. You will somehow find yourself in a thieving industry, without sticky bills, in a poor unfocused attitude, etc. without even being aware of the factors and forces working against you. The detailed nitty-gritty of this is fascinating but it's so complex and on so many levels that I don't understand a lot of it at all. It definitely is real though and I am in awe of it. I love the quote: "One way or another, everybody gets what they want."

Good morning Limitup, Thanks for you input on this topic. A dear friend of mine, who is now divorced from her vexing force, had her home robbed three times in one year while married to her ex. He turned out to be a real con man. Always looking for a way 'to get over' on people. I tried to tell her then that his vexing ways were what was drawing negativity into her life. Once she got rid of him, she's drawn only goodness into her life. I will add that she is a true 'point of light', who now lives the happy life she deserves. This little story exemplifies your point very well. And, I concur with your perspective whole-heartedly. Yet, two questions remain: What's behind the frequent occurence of too much change? And is it part of a greater life lesson? Any thoughts?

Hi Limitup, Sounds like your relative has a very tedious life-lesson to learn about trust and benevolence. Oh, and don't get me started about 'drama hogs'. Ugghhh!!! They're like magnets to every annoyance, large and small. What I mean about the frequency is: In an earlier post (in this same discussion) I explained that this phemonena of getting back too much change happens to my husband and I ALOT. Well, it's not just too much change, often it's that a cashier forgot to charge for an item, or undercharges. Anyway, hubby and I have had discussions about what this could possibly mean. If you read the earlier post (sorry, it's kina' long) you'll get a better idea of what I'm talking about. I suspect you'll have some interesting thoughts about it. Toodles!

Oh, too much change ($). I thought you meant too much change! Ha ha. Yes that is interesting. I didn't see that one. I'll post up there. As for that relative, yes he's got some lessons to learn. Sadly, if his strong trend of current thought persists, I don't think he will ever confront them in this lifetime. While I know that nobody is ever too far gone to apply what we're talking about, I doubt he will ever seek to change in this way unless he's on his deathbed. He takes extremely strong medications and over-eats to deal with his thoughts. It should make me sad perhaps, but I am the constant optimist. He is a really great guy and I know he will eventually see these things one way or the other. He will be in good hands.

Good morning Beaniefanatic13, Thanks for chiming in on this topic. As you can see from the above, 'off-topic' is the rule, rather than the exception here. Your perspective is highly honorable. And, your points are valid. I've seen that doe-in-the-headlights looked from a cashier or two when you add coin to get back a single coin. Like adding .12 to get back the quarter. Funny that you should quote my Mother's favorite quote "Two wrongs don't make a right". Your folks must be (or were) brought up in the old school, like my own. In this case, your .02 adds up to a big gold star!

Hi SilPhil, Thanks for sharing this story. I'm sure the immediate recognition was quite helpful. It was the right thing for you to return the $, and it was also the right thing for the manager to recognize your effort to protect the store bank. Another fine example of: One good turn triggering another! Would that it could be that more people truly understood that kindness and goodness is contagious.

Anonymili, Good points! But, what if the error was the 'turn around'? Meaning that it was the Universe's way of rewarding you for a time when you were previously 'slighted' in some way?

Lady, I would have to say, that even though we might be "previously slighted," I believe that our good fortune would come in a manner, that did not leave doubt on the conscience, about whether or not it was a positive thing. So, that is my point of view.

Very good point Vashstanpede992000. It sounds as though you genuinely trust 'the process'.

Thanks for your input Fellowlife. You're right about a guilty conscience being a heavy weight to bear.

Good morning Prashantbhargav, I'm terribly sorry to hear that you've been cheated many times. When that happens it is very troubling. You also bring up another very good point. Perhaps we, as consumers also need to be more aware in our day to day dealings, so that we don't overpay. It's easy to get caught up in our busy lives, and not focus our attention on the details. The good news is: At least in this little thread, it seems that the majority of people are honest. So, if you overpayed any of these good folks, they'd probably return the overpayment.

Hello Ainee82, I tend to agree with you that what goes around does find it's way back around. I may test the waters, I may test the recipe, but I sure don't want to test fate, destiny or karma. It's best to recognize when one is outmatched.

Hi Titaniumsoul, Because no one answer is correct given the unknown circumstances, I'm not going to judge your response. However, I wonder if the shoe were on the other foot, would you prefer that your customer returned the overpayment? If you owned the business would you consider the careless overpayment into your loss ratio, or would you rely on people's honesty? Also, I wonder ... you said that you don't believe in this kind of Karma. Do you have a different perspective on this? Thanks, -Ladyluna

Hi Titaniumsoul, Your perspective, though somewhat harsh, is perhaps the perspective that will most drive the human race to complete 'self responsibility'. I cannot tell you how frustating it is to hear repeated excuses for why "I did this"... or why "I did that". "It was the school's failure", or "it was society's failure". In the end, I believe that you are right in demanding higher expectations from all. In the case scenario that you present, I would also dismiss the employee, if it was more than the first time. The more we lower expectations, the lower the result will be. I do not agree that greed should be the motivator, rather it should be the expectation that we should be all that we can be. Very good point Titaniumsoul! Thank you for sharing this perspective.

Hi Ladyluna, If I run a business and the cashier gave extra change to customers and they walked away just like that, I will be terribily disappointed with the cashier. Perhaps, I may fire the cashier. In addition, I do not expect customers to return the overpayment because in my country, everybody is greed over money. The reason why I do not believe in this Karma is because it is the responsibility of the cashier to give exact change fast. If the cashier is unable to do so, he/she has to quit.

Good morning Suze05, Your compassion for your fellow human being is admirable, indeed. You also bring up another good point. Perhaps returning to the store the next day would bring the original cashier a double whammy. Or, it might implicate the greeter at the door whose job it is to check the receipt against the items purchased. Or perhaps store security if there was an electronic device on the item that failed to go off. Hmmm ... you've provided even more food for thought. Is Karma in play ONLY if a convergence of circumstance leads to the outcome, as opposed to one single persons mistake? Good job Suze05!

Hello Miamilady, Far be it from me to argue your "Golden Rule" point. Wise, wise words! As for not knowing about getting back too much change until you're long away from the store, yup -- been there, done that. I wouldn't drive 90 miles out of my way to go back to the store but, I'd try to right the wrong when I got back into town. Especially if it's a store that I regularly frequent. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this issue.