I organized a trip to a pro basketball game for 20 friends, purchasing tickets up front, then collecting the cash from each person. On game night, several did not show up, only some of whom alerted me in advance. I sold those tickets at face value at the arena. Who should get that money? Should it be refunded to the no-shows? Spread evenly among all? —P.J., Texas
When any of your friends told you they wouldn’t make the game, that was your chance to get their OK for reselling their tickets. Consumed with shame for their no-show discourtesy, they should have offered you the proceeds as modest compensation, before they moved to another town and changed their names to live down the disgrace—or simply sent you flowers. As for those churls who did not even bother to call, a tough guy could regard their tickets as abandoned property and keep the money. But if you want to remain friends with all these folks, refund their money. You’ve already taken some pains on their behalf by arranging this outing. Why not go one step further and delight everyone?
—Adapted from “The Ethicist” in The New York Times Magazine