I recently ran to a store in the next city. ‘Bout an hour drive each way. Got home around 10 and, at the intersection in front of our home, got flagged down by a young lady who said she had ran out of gas and needed to get back to Mentor OH (We’re in Cleveland OH).
Felt bad for her, but I didn’t have any cash on me. Since I grew up about 20 minutes from Mentor, I knew the area and knew it was a fair drive. She was gone by the time I got settled in as I was considering running to the ATM, or at least letting her have what was in the lawnmower gas can.
Turns out she was out in the intersection the next night, and the next day. My wife observed her getting into a few cars. Turns out she had a little “side business” that probably included the oldest profession.
My wife finally told her to get out of our neighborhood or her next visitor would be the police. Seen her around since, but not close to our house.
I don’t help out anyone anymore. I’ve heard just about every sob story, and they always turn out to be a scam if you drive back and check up on the scammmer. It’s sad really - I’d be quite willing to help out someone in need, but the scammers are so convincing that you can’t tell who’s in need and who’s trying to get money for drugs.
ummm.... Mentor, Ohio? neo, is she a friend of your’s....?
i happened to be directly across the street from this Hooters yesterday, having my oil changed at the Toyota dealership. cannot believe that anyone would be so gullible in this day and age as to do this.
I used to fall for the stories myself. Once I was leaving my church after a deacons meeting and there at the door was a woman who claimed she needed money to get the bus home, since she lived in a town some 15 miles away. So I gave her a few dollars.
About two weeks later, the same woman approached me near the church with a slightly different tale. It was only then it dawned on me that she was probably a drug addict.
I’m a lot less helpful now; a little jaded, actually.
I was approached by a woman at the gas station a few weeks ago. She was begging for money to buy some gas. (I forget what her hard luck story was — something ridiculous like needing the money to go visit her sick kid in the hospital). Anyway, I’m driving a 5 yr old econo-car and she’s driving a practically brand new custom pickup truck. I told her I couldn’t help her and drove off. She sure had the sad face thing down pat though.
It's a scammer's take on begging. Just last week a guy approached me at 4th and South, Philly. He was opening his wallet as explaining that he needed "$5.80" for a ticked for the train to get home.
Do I look like a tourist? I thought.
I politely turned him away and later on saw him a few blocks away, pulling the same theatrics on a couple.
“I’ve heard just about every sob story, and they always turn out to be a scam...”
Same here. I hate to be unkind to someone actually in need, but I don’t like the idea of supporting the drug trade even once-removed.
When I lived in Seattle I really got around. The last few months I was there I’d see the same black guy at various freeway off ramps all over the city wearing a short sleaved white shirt, a tie and waving people down with one hand and holding a red plastic gas can in the other.
Whenever a panhandler asks for money I always say the same thing: Do you take plastic, ‘cause it’s all I got.
I’ll help someone that I don’t know, but only if it does not involve a direct exchange of dead presidents.
We have a pantry at our church for food for the needy, you might be surprised at how many people are out to scam churches. There's an overwhelming need out there and for people who try to get something for nothing whether they truly need it, is despicable.
Another hard situation is a family where the adults are addicts but have children who are hungry or needing clothes. You want to help because of the kids but know that you are enabling the adults to get more of whatever they are addicted to by removing any incentive to take care of their own kids, plus it wouldn't work to tell them, "this food is for the children, you don't get any of it".