Honesty in Thailand

Post by **lomuamart** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:50 pm

Came back from my local shop a short while ago and after getting change from a 1,000 note, I noticed that the lady had given me 100 too much when I got home.
Well, she followed me home and asked for it back. I gave it and was happy to do so as she's a good person.
My question is, how many of you would have given it back bearing in mind the age-old gripe we farangs have about getting ripped off here?

Post by **Burger** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:52 pm

I'd have definately given her it back.

Via the purchase of a 100 Baht One-to-Call card

Burger

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:12 pm

Of course, give it back. I've often corrected my internet cafe and other places that they've given me too much back. Only, should it happen in a place where I'd been cheated, I wouldn't care.

Post by **Digger** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:14 pm

[quote="lomuamart"]Came back from my local shop a short while ago and after getting change from a 1,000 note, I noticed that the lady had given me 100 too much when I got home.

Lomu
Should be checking your change in the shop as if it was the other way around and you walked back an hour later its questionable whether you would have got your money back,if you said you were short 100 baht but you may well have done.Was the woman the owner or just a helper.Could be that if she had a till roll and it was down at the end of the day thats her wages up the swaney.I would always retun money to a shop but not to a bank or much less if an Atm overpaid but hell that does not happen that often.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:54 pm

Honesty goes both ways here and everywhere. It just seems that the "bad deeds" get most of the press. Sometimes, the Bangkok Post has a story of an honest taxi driver who returned a bag full of money to the owner and similar other stories.

Way back in about 1989 I left a 5 baht gold chain with a 3 baht Buddha case on the top of the TV in my room at the Four Wing Hotel on Soi 26 in Bangkok. Just completely forgot to put it back on after a shower. Already checked out and headed for the lobby door and the room maid comes tearing across the lobby with it in here hand. I would have been long gone before I even remembered that I didn't have it and, it would have been long gone. I think 1 baht gold back then was about 2,500-3,000 Baht? At 3 that would have been about 5 months wages for the room maid. She was content with her good deed and a reasonable reward.

I will die still believing that there are more honest Thai's than dishonest. Pete

Post by **pommy** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:32 pm

If someone has made an honest mistake I would always pay the money back...you never know when it might happen to you.

I might make an exception for a tax refund...take the money and run!

Post by **JimmyGreaves** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:54 am

On numerous occasions when out with my gf we have been undercharged and she always always points it out, that really impressed me.

In my opinion most europeans would think you had good luck and not mention it.

Think there is good and bad everywhere but culture does play a part!

Post by **Mongo Slade** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:15 pm

Why didn't you count your change before you left the store? You would have saved her a chase. You did the right thing........ she never ripped you off.

Good Karma....

Post by **Farang** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:23 pm

Is there a man jack amongst yee mortals who would not have given it back?

Post by **lomuamart** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:53 pm

Mongo Slade wrote:Why didn't you count your change before you left the store? You would have saved her a chase. You did the right thing........ she never ripped you off.

Good Karma....

Yeah, should have done. I use it so regularly and the change is "always" right that I just got lazy.

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