23 may 07
Something weird has been happening to my coworker Alison lately. Someone has been leaving quarters on her car door handle. At first she could have written it off as a strange, one-time incident, but the next day there was another quarter there, taped. That’s pretty deliberate. It’s also happened a few more times.
We’ve thrown around a bunch of bogus theories about this at work, but we haven’t really come up with anything. We figure it is either an admirer or something more sinister (hopefully not). It blows my mind a little bit. I mean, it’s weird and disconcerting that someone is leaving the quarters, but the big question is, what does it mean? Any thoughts? She drives a Honda Element if that makes any difference.
ez / 24 may 2007 / 9:12 a.m.
I used to leave coins in random places all over the office. I stopped when someone was pretty shaken up over a quarter having been balanced on her office door handle. There wasn’t any intent on message on my part. Coins are not something I like to have, but unfortunately the drink machine was $.65 so I’d often have a quarter and a dime to lose.
Interestingly enough, when I stopped, someone else started.
Kelvin / 24 may 2007 / 1:45 p.m.
Maybe the person thinks the Honda Element is a toy ride, like the kind that sit outside of Grocery stores. Either it’s an affront to her taste if drivable boxes, or an attack on her frugality?
My cousin used to chuck a quarter to people and he’d say “Buy yourself a clue”.
-k
Leslie / 24 may 2007 / 3:31 p.m.
I don’t remember who it was, but I think there was a comedian who commented on the ridiculousness of sending pizzas to people who didn’t order them as a prank. America, apparently, is so bountiful that people give away food as a joke — inconceivable to those who are starving. Maybe this quarter business is another spin of that concept, where Americans are so wealthy, they’d give away money — no matter how small the amount — just for the fun of freaking others out.
Colleen / 28 may 2007 / 10:52 a.m.
I really wish someone would have a real answer for this! The curiosity is starting to get to me.
MC / 29 may 2007 / 9:49 a.m.
Same here, Colleen. I’m curious as well. I mean, it doesn’t really come across as a gesture of goodwill. Not like paying for someone’s toll or something like that.
Weird.
Chauncey / 31 may 2007 / 2:30 p.m.
The fact that the quarter was taped to the handle intrigues me. Like the person is demanding to be noticed rather than just make an impact on her life. Maybe she should leave two dimes and a nickel and see what happens.
Elisha / 05 jun 2007 / 10:14 a.m.
Yeah, I’d play back. Leave change in response. See what happens. It’s most likely harmless, so why not?
Or! Buy things with the change and then leave them where the change was. Like those silly gumball machine toys. It’s rude to just take a gift (the quarter) and not give anything in return.
Daniel Travolto / 24 may 2007 / 5:12 a.m.
Its not hard to figure it out. Somebody thinks she is cheap. :-)