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Is Honesty Always The Best Policy?

By John DL Arendsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner with CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments 521400, 1501015, 01795582

July 28, 2012 01:31 AM

Is Honesty Always The Best Policy?

Recently my darling and most conscientious and honest daughter accidentally scratched someone's car door. Being the sensitive, loving and conscientious soul that she is she left a note on the windshield with her contact info and a sincere apology.

Now mind you that it was only a scratch on the door and shouldn't have cost more than $500. Even a dood detail would have rubbed the scratch out as though it were never there. But truth be known a few weeks later she was contacted by her insurance company and informed that the owner's insurance company had just sent them a repair estimate for over $2500 along with pictures of all the other damages which my daughter had nothing to do with.

Is Honesty Always The Best Policy?

Shortly thereafter she was notified by DMV that her license was being suspended because the incident involved damages over $750

and there was never an accident report filed.

She's still battling it out as I write and is now a very disillusioned, confused and disappointed young lady. She's always played by the rules and thought it would be

"bad Karma" not to leave a note.

But that stated, when I asked her if she would ever leave a note again she said, "heck ya!" "It's the right thing to do". With that all I could do was give her a big hug and tell her how very very proud I was of her.

If only most folks thought and felt that way what a much better World this would be. But I love and respect my little gal and admire her faith in the goodness of Mankind.

So I ask you.....................Is Honesty Always The Best Policy? Looking for some HONEST answers.

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Kathy Stoltman

Ventura, CA

RETIRED

This might be one of those scenarios where karma went really bad. Really does make you think about whether one should be so honest, but in the end, honesty just has to triumph in the long run.

Jul 28, 2012 01:35 AM

Teri Clardy

Colorado Premier Staging, LLC - Littleton, CO

APSD Certified Home Stager Pro

Good for her! Honesty IS the best policy. It's just too bad that there are so many (like the owner of the car she scratched) that aren't. But I believe that what goes around comes around. Tell her she did the right thing.

Jul 28, 2012 01:58 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi John.... honesty is the best and only policy one should use.... no one can remember a lie, first and foremost, so it will eventually bite you in the butt.... just be up front...if you made a mistake, take it on the chin and go on to the next thing....bruises always heal....hope all is well with you and your family, John.... it's been a good 2012.

Jul 28, 2012 02:00 AM

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Kathy, we're living in a very wierd, wicked and wayward World and I hope you're right. If everyone cops out just because they think everyone else has as well we're a lost civilization for sure. Thanks for your comment.

Jul 28, 2012 02:31 AM

Thank you Teri. That reaaurance reassures me. I felt so bad for what she's going through I just had to get it off my chest. Thank's for indulging me and for commenting.

Jul 28, 2012 02:33 AM

Hi Barbara, always nice hearing from my favorite mentor. Thanks for the kind words. Yes, all is well for we as well. In fact they couldn't be better. I'm answering your comment from Paris where Janis and I will be with our oldest son and his family for a few weeks. Love to walk these city streets. One could live here a lifetime and never even scratch the surface.

Can't count how many times we've been here and we still keep coming back and seeing things we've never seen before. Even if there in the same museum, chateau or cathedral there's always something new and exciting to see. Heck, I don't even think you could see (or let me say ponder, reflect, study and appreciate seeing) everything at The Louvre. Glad you're having a great year. But then you always figure out how to do that no matter what.

Jul 28, 2012 02:53 AM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

John, You taught her right and being honest is never wrong.

Jul 28, 2012 12:12 PM

Thank you Debbie. Still love those yellow ear rings.

Jul 28, 2012 02:59 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Have an outstanding week with your camera in hand.

Jul 29, 2012 09:05 AM

Roy, Right back atcha myfriend. I can see that you do.

Jul 29, 2012 03:51 PM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I think being honest makes your life easier and you can sleep better. I wouldn't live any other way. Several years ago I got a new car. Brand new. I didn't have the plates on it yet and someone put a nice sized dent and scratch in the door. No note, nothing. I was sick over this. I would have left a note, had I done something like this.

It's too bad your daughter is getting treated this way for trying to do the right thing. Obviously this car owner isn't an honest person for trying to get your daughter to pay for numerous repairs. This car owner is the kind of person that probably wouldn't leave a note if they did something similar. Karma will come back around.

Aug 02, 2012 12:26 PM

Is Honesty Always The Best Policy?

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