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phylny

(8,792 posts) Thu Apr 10, 2014, 02:45 PM Apr 2014

I could kick myself. A young woman politely stopped me in food store parking lot, needing money [View all]

She said her husband and kids were in the car, they spent all their money and WIC money buying food for the kids, and her husband didn't have enough gas in the car to get to work. I had JUST bought a money order for my daughter (she needs it for a credit check for her new apartment) and had very little cash on me. I told her to wait a moment, went to my car, took the four dollars or so out of my wallet and grabbed a half-filled change jar. I walked back to her and gave everything to her, saying, "I'm sorry, this is all I have on me." She was crying and hugged and thanked me.

It wasn't until they pulled away that I thought, "Why the HELL didn't you tell them to follow you to the gas station on the corner?" I could have filled their entire tank for them as well as giving them the few bucks I had on me.

It's been bothering me for an hour. I just didn't think fast enough on my feet.

70 replies

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I could kick myself. A young woman politely stopped me in food store parking lot, needing money [View all] phylny Apr 2014 OP

You did more than most people would. Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2014 #1

It's okay. You still gave her *something*, right? AverageJoe90 Apr 2014 #2

I think it is great that you didn't question upaloopa Apr 2014 #3

Actually, you did a better thing Warpy Apr 2014 #4

That's a great perspectrive. phylny Apr 2014 #6

The likelihood of such people being scam artists is why I never give to them. Jgarrick Apr 2014 #21

If they are scammers.... ohheckyeah Apr 2014 #25

+1,000 ... 1StrongBlackMan Apr 2014 #28

I absolutely agree. Jackpine Radical Apr 2014 #51

My dad taught me that lesson long ago ... aggiesal Apr 2014 #61

An excellent thought. Helpful too. GoneFishin Apr 2014 #70

Thank you wryter2000 Apr 2014 #52

+1 n/t JoeyT Apr 2014 #57

Yep, totally agree... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2014 #64

That's the way I've always approached it. Aristus Apr 2014 #67

I assume most people who approach me with a bus/gas money scenario are "scammers" -- however Arugula Latte Apr 2014 #26

I tend to give, regardless of the number of scams in the world. LanternWaste Apr 2014 #27

Me too. I even give to the honest ones who want a bottle, they probably need that bottle Warpy Apr 2014 #47

I've been approached by the same people with the same story over and over. Demobrat Apr 2014 #32

You have to pay close attention.. sendero Apr 2014 #37

You should feel good that you gave...nothing else should matter. blueamy66 Apr 2014 #60

How was she shamed if she was a scammer? arcane1 Apr 2014 #29

She might not.. sendero Apr 2014 #38

Because she took the last few dollars from a real poor person. Warpy Apr 2014 #46

Ahh, go it! That makes sense. arcane1 Apr 2014 #48

Please don't feel bad-at least you cared Stargazer99 Apr 2014 #5

at a gas station a few years back flyingfysh Apr 2014 #7

Good move packman Apr 2014 #8

Don't feel bad, you did more than most would have. notadmblnd Apr 2014 #9

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #10

This message was self-deleted by its author A-Schwarzenegger Apr 2014 #18

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #34

I ran out of gas by accident, called triple A but they never came hollysmom Apr 2014 #20

You did the right thing, in either case. closeupready Apr 2014 #11

You helped. You done good. If there is a next time you'll remember to do it. applegrove Apr 2014 #12

Don't feel bad pinboy3niner Apr 2014 #13

NEVER take a stranger to a cash machine with you. Divernan Apr 2014 #35

Most of us wouldn't have thought of EVERYTHING we might have done; elleng Apr 2014 #14

Yep. Scam. Nye Bevan Apr 2014 #15

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #17

I don't believe a lot of those 'swindler' stories either. Whisp Apr 2014 #22

You did a good thing and you're kicking yourself for not doing a gooder thing. Glassunion Apr 2014 #16

Having worked in NYC for so many years, there were people with well rehearsed scams, hollysmom Apr 2014 #19

Living in San Francisco for a decade has done that to me too. arcane1 Apr 2014 #43

You did a very good thing, more than most people would have. NaturalHigh Apr 2014 #23

How to Spot the "no gas" Travel Scam DesMoinesDem Apr 2014 #24

She said her husband and kids were in the car, they spent all their money and WIC money buying food lunasun Apr 2014 #63

You responded perfectly. SamKnause Apr 2014 #30

Could have been a scam or it could be legitimate. MineralMan Apr 2014 #31

That's how I do too. Once, a guy came to my office on Christmas eve saying he had lost everything, Hoyt Apr 2014 #41

I'm too cynical wercal Apr 2014 #33

if the price for helping others is occasionally being taken for a ride - for me it is a price worth Douglas Carpenter Apr 2014 #36

Yes.. sendero Apr 2014 #40

best answer. Whisp Apr 2014 #53

Not me. Professional scammers are lying sociopaths who are expert at recognizing and preying Zorra Apr 2014 #58

Been in that boat before. Took a young man grocery shopping, and tried to connect GreenPartyVoter Apr 2014 #39

Don't beat yourself up over it, most people would have said they couldn't help Rex Apr 2014 #42

I came out of the docs office last weekend, got in my car and woodsprite Apr 2014 #44

What a great idea! n/t phylny Apr 2014 #62

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #45

It reads like scam. Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2014 #49

I was hit up at Kroger this past weekend. X_Digger Apr 2014 #65

That is exactly what I meant by be aware of your surroundings. Wash. state Desk Jet Apr 2014 #68

I'm never bothered. It's horribly real, or it's a good story. hunter Apr 2014 #50

It's okay TlalocW Apr 2014 #54

If she was a scammer or not, you showed compassion to a fellow human. SummerSnow Apr 2014 #55

DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP OVER THIS!!!! Omaha Steve Apr 2014 #56

Thans for the tip....I'll remember if I get the chance Jake2413 Apr 2014 #59

You did plenty Liberal_in_LA Apr 2014 #66

NEVER give money. If you're gonna give, give the ITEM johnlucas Apr 2014 #69