Story posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Out-Of-Towner Happy To See Driver Do Right Thing
By DENISE FLEISCHER Lifestyle Editor
When Robert J. Cleary of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, came to town, he learned sometimes people "do the right thing."
He arrived in Chicago on a Sunday evening and went directly to the Westin O'Hare hotel in Rosemont to check in. He came here to attend a strategic coaching workshop.
"A group of 13 of my peers went to Harry Caray's on Higgins in Rosemont," Cleary said. "I had paid for half of the dinner with my credit card, the other people paid me cash. I then went back to the hotel using Rosemont Taxi."
The cab fare was $6. Clearly gave the driver a $2 tip. He thought he gave him a $20 bill and three singles and asked for $15 in change. In reality, he gave him a $100 bill and three ones.
When he returned to his hotel room he counted the money to make sure the math was right.
"That's when I realized I gave him a $100 bill by accident," Cleary said. "I immediately ran out of the room, took the elevator downstairs and when I got to the bell captain's podium he put up his hand. He said he already had been informed about what occurred."
"He said the cab driver had already called him to tell him that the fare gave him a $100 by accident. The bell captain called the driver and the cab driver came back three minutes later and gave me the $100. I gave him the correct amount and a $20 tip."
Cleary was so surprised that the cab driver would do the right thing that he told everyone about it when he returned home.
"I was happy that the cabbie was honest. The hidden element really is doing the right thing pays off in the long run."
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