In Hawaii, there is a saying "live pono".
If I'm not mistaken, there are several meanings, but for me, it means to "do the right thing".
The other day, I went to the market and bought a salad, a container of poi (mashed taro) and the salad came with a dressing packet (which was free with purchase of the salad).
The line at the checkout had a slight hiccup, and the guy before me needed to get something price checked.
When everything finally got sorted out, he paid then left.
Then the cashier proceeded to ring my items up.
I am usually good about watching when the cashier rings things up, because sometimes the price on the shelf isn't what is scanned, but on this day, I wasn't paying attention.
The cashier gave me a total, I paid then went home.
As I was eating my salad, I pulled out my receipt and realized that the cashier had charged me for the dressing and hadn't charged me for the poi!
So, the next day, I went to the store and explained what happened and that I wanted to pay for the poi.
The manager was so thankful and almost started crying as there had already been several shopliftings earlier that morning. (eep!)
She then tried to give me a case of water (using her reward points) for being so honest, but I refused it because I was only there to pay for the item that I wasn't charged for, not to receive anything for trying to do what was right.
I know I probably should have gone back the same day, but I'm still glad I went back to do the right thing.
Have you ever had something similar happen to you? Did you live pono?
11 comments:
Sad to say, unless I catch the mistake at the store, I don't return to pay for the mistake. I kind of think it goes both ways. I've been over charged or not received what I ordered. I usually call to tell them and they always say they will give me a credit or gift card to make up for the error. I don't go back to pick up the credit or gift card and never used the ones that were mailed.
c
I think you really made the store manager's day by returning to pay for the item. By your pono deed, you reminded her there are still good people here. It has gotten really crazy with shoplifting here in Hawaii and businesses are still adjusting to and suffering with the sheer magnitude of this really dirty practice. People both subtly and boldly take stuff without paying and casually stroll out of the store before you can alert store staff. I once saw someone somehow stick two bottles of wine behind them into something they rigged into a backpack about twenty feet away from me. He was gone by the time I could find someone to tell! And to make it worse, now store staff are sometimes assaulted by the criminal if they try to stop them.
Thanks for your input C!
That is scary Anon!
Take care you two.
Kat
Awww, Kat, love this story. I remember once returning money to a cashier at Longs when I realized that I had too much change. But I hadn't even left the store yet, so it was easy. Not sure if I would go back once I got home.
Glad you were able to return the change Jalna :)
Take care.
Kat
It's great that you did that Kat.
Thank you Kirk :)
Take care.
Kat
we try to live 'pono' all the time (and I hope some doob doesn't go and trademark/copyright that word!) :-P ....every so often we forget to scan stuff that goes into our shopping cart, so when I check the receipt (at home), I make sure that we let the service desk know about our forgetfulness (and pay for the item as well).
dang I hope they don't trademark anymore words either Rowena...
Take care.
Kat
Recently my 8 year old son was with me at the grocery store...I had a hand basket instead of a cart (I hate carts!) and it was a little over-filled...I asked him to hold a bag of popcorn and only realized after we left that he totally boosted it! I tried to teach him a lesson. We went back into the store to pay for it, lol. :)
Glad you went back Steph!
Take care.
Kat
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