To think about keeping the cash?!

[WobbleYourHead]

OK, the answer is probably yes but then I need to work out how to approach this...

I worked in my cousin's bar last night as a favour as staff had let them down & as such I wasn't drinking. A friend of mine posted on Facebook a couple of days ago saying that they were desperate for a taxi NYE but couldn't find one & could anyone recommend anyone. I text her and said if you're really stuck let me know and I'll pick you up after my shift. A conversation followed along the lines of "don't want to take advantage, are you sure?" etc and then she phoned mid afternoon just to check I really was OK with it. All good so far.

She mentioned giving me some money for it, I was expecting something like £10 to cover petrol, £20 if she were feeling generous but in all honesty it was more about not seeing a mate stranded in the early hours.

Anyway, come 2am I finally managed to get to them (my mates new boyfriend who I've not met was with her). When I dropped them off she said "Bob's got something for you, just take what he gives you" so I did, said thanks, happy new year etc and shoved it in my pocket.

When I've got home and checked there's a £20 note wrapped really tightly around some other notes and when I unroll there's £100!! My issue is that this is way too much and I'm not sure they even realise what they've given me as they were absolutely hammered a bit tipsy.

I want to give some of it back but don't know how to approach it, wwyd?

Sorry it's long, didn't want to drip feed & needed to give context!

[dowhatnow]

Id just say I think you gave me more than you thought and see what they say. I wouldn't insist on giving it back if they confirm it wasn't a mistake.

[user1482447499]

You couldn't get a cab around here last night for love nor money.

Accept the money!

[Meloncoley2]

Agree with other posters NYE taxis are difficult to get and can be vv expensive. You did them a favour that they appreciated. Having a conversation with your friend when she is sober will help you decide better whether you feel comfortable with the amount.

[TrustySnail]

I know a taxi on Christmas night for a 35-40 min trip was £90 for members of my family

Yes, they triple the rates where I live for NYE and similar. If OP's friend's taxi would have normally cost £20, but NYE would have inflated it to £60, an extra £40 on top doesn't sound too extreme in the spirit of NYE bonhomie.

[Nanna50]

I think your friend knew how much he was giving you and also knew it was a lot and that you would be surprised and object, hence the "take what he gives you" message.
The peace of mind that you gave them, in advance, that they would be returned home safely without the hassle of ordering, waiting for and risking a taxi not turning up may have made their evening more enjoyable.
We had to sleep out last night as taxis got diverted elsewhere and were always 10 minutes away but never arrived. Today is that bit harder for not getting home to our own comfy beds and having to wait for another taxi this morning as all the drivers seemed to have gone off duty
You could text and say thank you but is he aware of how much he gave you.

[SuburbanRhonda]

It's easy enough to phone and ask if it was a mistake and I think you should do that.

Just imagine how you'd feel if it was a mistake, Bob discovers he's £100 down today and then realises you think he's given you £120 for a lift home.

[WobbleYourHead]

Blu from the bar to the house party was around 30 minutes then from there to dropping them off was around 15 minutes plus 2 minutes back to my place.

[LotsoNumbers]

They will probably never admit to that mistake if it was one, that would be incredibly rude. Your friend might not have any idea how much Bob gave you either.

It doesn't matter how much a taxi would have cost them it just depends how much you'd feel comfortable accepting...personally I wouldn't charge a mate full NYE whack if I was doing them a favour

[blueskyinmarch]

I would say that having to do a 45 minute journey in NYE is worth £100. Just keep the money and text your thanks to them.

[minisoksmakehardwork]

A 20 mile round trip with a local taxi firm at any time of day/night on new year near can cost over £80, so although I'd double check whether the amount was right, I think it would also be safe to accept if they insist.

[WobbleYourHead]

I've text her along the lines of happy new year, hope the hangover isn't too bad, did you realise Bob's given me £100?!

[MudCity]

Just message them and say you'll only be taking 20 quid and how can you get the rest back to them. Say it and mean it.

^ This, because you never know when they might return a favour.

[SuburbanRhonda]

Good plan, OP.

[CalmItKermitt]

I think they meant to give it to you and they were right to.

[Reality16]

I think the cost of an actual taxi here is irrelevant, you are not a licensed taxi so should not be getting paid the same or a similar rate. Technically that's illegal anyway.

Morally I wouldn't, couldn't accept that kind of money from anyone for giving them a lift. Whether they intended to or not, and upthread someone made a valid point about the drunk version of themselves being generous to the detriment of their sober selves bills, it's too much.

I would ring them and say they dropped something in your car and you would hand it back next time you see them.

[Reality16]

I would say that having to do a 45 minute journey in NYE is worth £100. But the journey wasn't 45 mins. From picking them up to dropping them off was 15 mins. Even taxis don't charge you for travelling to the pick up location, so the initial 30 mins can be discounted.

[girlelephant]

Great text! I'd be worried it was a mistake on their part as although you were very kind it's a huge amount of money,

Please let us mow the outcome

[WobbleYourHead]

So I've had a reply and I cried....

Hi Wobble, thanks so much for the lift home. And yes Bob purposely gave you that! It was a lovely gesture of you to offer to drive us home! And we appreciate it!

Happy new year to you and your lovely family x I know that you offered through genuine care and loveliness ! And I appreciate that! X the world needs more people like you!

[Soubriquet]

Oh brilliant OP

Now you can keep the money and have a clear concious

Happy New Year

[Reality16]

That's nice. I still couldn't accept that kind of money though. I honestly feel that would change the dynamics of our friendship.

[Gatekeeper]

blimey; I've filled up a bit reading that; it's lovely to know people think highly of you

Happy New year

[OutToGetYou]

:)

[Lynnm63]

That's lovely. Could you treat yourself to something that you wouldn't normally buy so it doesn't get lost in the household budget. That way you'd always have a reminder.
You are and have good friends.

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

Aww!

[WelshMoth]

Aaahhhh - the message is more valuable than the cash!
What a lovely way for you to start 2017, knowing that you're loved and appreciated.

Nice one OP. TREAT YOURSELF to £100 of loveliness to remember this.