A delightful(ly) German experience

I was contacted by the police last week, who told me that someone had turned in something they thought belonged to me, and if I could identify it, I could pick it up. After a bit of guessing that required me to figure exactly how much cash I had dropped at the gas station, they let me come and pick it up. They told me the gas station attendant had found it, reviewed the video, identified the license plate, and contacted them to ask them to contact me and give it back to me. The officer also told me it was the first time he had seen someone request that I also provide the legally mandated finder's fee. (I think it's 5%, which is actually less than I was going to give the dude, and still will.)

I just love everything about this entire experience, in how very German it is. I have spent a lot of time in places where they money would never be turned in, and even if it were, it would buy some drinks for the police instead of finding its way back to me. And I don't think any other place I've lived mandates a particular finder's fee. (I'm not even sure Germany does, but the cop seemed to think so, and it's moot since I'll pay a reward anyway.)