Dear Eric,
I was riding my bicycle when my wallet fell out of my pocket. My driver’s license, credit cards, and about $200 in cash were inside. Later that day, I received a call from a cyclist who had found it and offered to return it. What reward would be appropriate? I gave him a $30 bottle of wine.
—Grateful Cyclist
Dear Cyclist,
How lucky you were to encounter such an honest person! Etiquette experts say the reward amount is entirely up to you, often based on the money found or your own financial situation. A gift is perfectly acceptable if cash is tight. The bottle of wine was a thoughtful gesture. However, if this ever happens again (and I hope it doesn’t!), consider asking the finder about their preferences beforehand. While the thought counts, you want to avoid giving something the recipient can’t use or might find problematic.
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