To Eric, Unbeknownst to me, my wallet dropped out of my pocket as I was riding my bike. The wallet had my driver’s license, credit cards, and roughly $200 in cash. I got a call later that day from a biker who had discovered my wallet on his ride and invited me to come get it. What kind of award would be suitable, if any? I gave a bottle of wine that cost $30.
Appreciative Cyclist
To the Cyclist: How fortunate you are to have met such a decent citizen!
The amount of a reward in circumstances such as these is mostly up to you, according to etiquette experts. People frequently consider their personal financial circumstances or the quantity of money in their wallet. A gift or other gesture is more than acceptable if you are short on cash.
The wine bottle you supplied is effective, therefore. My only recommendation, though, would be to make sure the recipient drinks wine if this ever occurs again (hopefully your wallet stays in your pocket going forward). Thought is what matters, but you don’t want your thankful actions to make someone else feel uncomfortable or in danger.
Stories by
R. Eric Thomas
-
Asking Eric: My son s family has shut me out of Christmas celebrations. How can I ask to be included?
-
Asking Eric: Reader recommends taking time, using faith to overcome tragedies
-
Asking Eric: Is my mom s grief causing her disturbing behavior?
To Eric, I wanted to show my support and sadness to a partnered gay father named “Used to be Dad,” whose teenage kid changed his name on his mobile phone from “Dad” to his given name.
In addition, I am a married gay father of three teenage sons who were taken from foster care. To no effect, we attempted Dad X and Dad Y using their first initials. Finally, we discovered that we are both fathers. One of us responds when the other father asks a question when we are both in the same room. They would remark, “I meant Other Dad,” or our given name, if they desired an answer from the one who didn’t respond. The love remains constant, and in the long run, the names on their phones don’t actually matter that much.
Dad or another father Occasionally
To my father: This is a useful lesson that works in a variety of contexts. Frequently, the relationship and the emotions involved are more important than the name.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!