SpeedRacer 1 #1 December 28, 2004 an ordinary looking woman or man comes up to you on the street & asks if you could spare 10$ so s/he can buy formula for his/her baby, or a man asks you for $20 for cabfare to go to his wife/child in the hospital, ... or something. Often they say they will pay you back later, & maybe offer to take down your address so they can mail you the money, or something. would you help out a stranger who claims to be in need by sparing them 10 or 20$? Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #2 December 28, 2004 I'll be the first to say it: "It depends on what they look like". I can't say any specific parameters . . . it would just be a feeling based on how they look. But I can't say I definitely would or wouldn't . . . I've done both. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #3 December 28, 2004 suppose they look & sound like a decent person, dressed normally, normal eye contact, appear to be in every way a nice person. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davedlg 0 #4 December 28, 2004 I've done it. He paid me back too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #5 December 28, 2004 It would also depend on my mood . . . some days I'm just too damn selfish. But I've done it before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #6 December 28, 2004 I've been suckered with hard luck stories before but MOST of the time, these people are just scamming for money. I once gave a guy a couple of bucks for gas, he claimed his car broke down on the expressway, yadda yadda yadda. I was at a gas station close to the expressway so it sounded like a reasonable story, he was offering to pay me back with discount coupons from his uncle's restaurant which I refused. (wasn't about to give him my address.....) A couple of months later, the same guy approached me in a grocery store parking lot near the gas station with a similar story and I said, "DUDE! Don't you remember? You already scammed money off me! Ran out of gas your uncle owns a restaurant, blah blah blah?" This guy wasn't even embarrassed! I've worked in downtown Chicago on and off for more about 15 years, so maybe I'm a little jaded, but I seen the same scam artists over and over again using the same or similar lines. I STILL get suckered every once in a while, though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #7 December 28, 2004 In a small town maybe.. in a city the size of Houston.. Probably not. There's scams everywhere here. One nice one is to park your vehicle close to a stop sign then raise the hood. Stand around looking like you're in need of help. You have to stop so they're asking for money to get gas so they can get to work. What they really want is crack money. $10 to a crackhead is a good 3 hours of bliss to them. I do no give money to beggers. I have helped some friends and acuaintences (sp) out and have always been paid back. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #8 December 28, 2004 No, but I would happily take the woman to the store and buy her all the formula she needs, or give the guy a ride wherever he wanted to go, etc. It's not about getting paid back, it is about knowing that the money is actually going where I think it is going. I've never failed to help someone who needs it, but the person who turns down me taking them for dinner or giving them a ride home and just wants the cash probably doesn't need it for what they say they do. Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigwallmaster 0 #9 December 28, 2004 Yeah I've done it too. And it does depend on their look. I've done some work for homeless shelters in L.A., and some of these people wouldn't get a dime from me based upon their cracked out, drug induced look. ....hey at least when I do drugs I try to look presentable! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #10 December 28, 2004 QuoteI've worked in downtown Chicago on and off for more about 15 years, so maybe I'm a little jaded, but I seen the same scam artists over and over again using the same or similar lines. I STILL get suckered every once in a while, though! I have a hard time believing any of them anymore because, like you, I tend to run into them all the time. In fact you can associate the scam with the face you see them so often. There is one that really bugs me - a woman takes her kids and parks partially blocking traffic on the Ontario feeder ramp. She blocks enough of the lane that you have to slow down to get around her. She claims that she is out of gas - I offered to get her towed off the ramp with my AAA card and she hopped into the car and sped off when I started to dial. I see her there about once every other month and I call the cops on her each time since she is driving hazard with the car and having her or her kids standing in traffic._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #11 December 28, 2004 Quotea man asks you for $20 for cabfare to go to his wife/child in the hospital When I was a student at UIUC I was asked three times in two semesters to give somebody money for a bus ticket so that he wouldn't miss the birth of his child. It was the same guy, all three times. I never gave him any money, and the second and third times I didn't have the guts to call him on his obvious lie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheenster303 0 #12 December 28, 2004 I wouldn't just because of the fact that I never have cash on me. I go to school in the middle of downtown Atlanta and people are constantly asking for money. I purposely don't take cash with me so I don't lie when I say I don't have any. I have developed the ability to look at someone and tell if they are legit or not. When I'm at work and I suspect someone of having a bad check, 9 times out of 10 I am right. The check can look good, but if I get a feeling about the person I'll check on it. Usually it will be a bad check.I'm so funny I crack my head open! P.M.S. #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #13 December 28, 2004 The big speech in Harrisburg & Lacaster is: "I need money for a bus ticket" I offer them ride to the station & 1 way ticket. >>>no takers so far= MAGIC!_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #14 December 28, 2004 Quote would you help out a stranger who claims to be in need by sparing them 10 or 20$? No. It's probably a scam. I only pay beggars in what they claim to need. If they claim to be hungry and really are they'll take the food; if they're professional beggars they won't. If I believed the story I'd offer to stop by the nearest pharmacy for formula or call a cab and pay for the ride up front. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #15 December 28, 2004 I've seen her! She used to work the Madison street ramp when I still lived on the north side. There is another woman who used to ask for TRAIN fare to Naperville or Aurora (not spare change or just a dollar) for her and her daughter because her wallet was stolen. Well dressed, with a child in tow. I saw her so many times with the same line, I wanted to tell her she needed to keep better track of her wallet! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #16 December 28, 2004 Same here. There's one guy I see a lot that I buy sandwhiches or packs of crackers for. He says he's a vietnam vet, but he comes across as "slow" but definitely not intoxicated. I've given him cash a couple times, too, and watched him go straight to the coffee shop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #17 December 28, 2004 Quote There is another woman who used to ask for TRAIN fare to Naperville or Aurora (not spare change or just a dollar) for her and her daughter because her wallet was stolen. Well dressed, with a child in tow. I saw her so many times with the same line, I wanted to tell her she needed to keep better track of her wallet! Yup, I've seen her as well. Then there is the older polish speaking woman that hangs around the Water Tower always asking for money in broken english. I used to give all the time, but its the scammers that ruined it for me._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GARYC24 3 #18 December 28, 2004 I wouldn't give address to them at all! I have gave people spare change, dollar bills, etc. I always have wondered what they would do if I gave them a $100 bill..maybe someday, I might just do that!(seriously). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #19 December 28, 2004 QuoteI wouldn't give address to them at all! Good catch....didn't even notice that in the initial post. That's actually a well known scam that burglars will use. They know you're not home and call a partner with your address. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #20 December 28, 2004 QuoteI wouldn't give address to them at all! I have gave people spare change, dollar bills, etc. I always have wondered what they would do if I gave them a $100 bill..maybe someday, I might just do that!(seriously). __________________________________________________ If they always ask for $10 and they are an addidict, $100 would keep them from seeing another day on earth Offering food, coat or a ride would separate what the person "NEEDS" rather than their addiction. $100= hat coat,meal, and a ride_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #21 December 28, 2004 QuoteNo, but I would happily take the woman to the store and buy her all the formula she needs, or give the guy a ride wherever he wanted to go, etc. It's not about getting paid back, it is about knowing that the money is actually going where I think it is going. I've never failed to help someone who needs it, but the person who turns down me taking them for dinner or giving them a ride home and just wants the cash probably doesn't need it for what they say they do. Yeah I tried to give a beggar a box of dog treats that I had just bought from petsmart cause his sign said something like "please help my dog and me, we are both hungry." He turned down the treats. btw....they were still in the box with the plastic seal wrap stuff untouched. He might not have been able to eat, but the dog would have been in high heaven. Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #22 December 28, 2004 QuoteQuote would you help out a stranger who claims to be in need by sparing them 10 or 20$? No. It's probably a scam. I only pay beggars in what they claim to need. If they claim to be hungry and really are they'll take the food; if they're professional beggars they won't. If I believed the story I'd offer to stop by the nearest pharmacy for formula or call a cab and pay for the ride up front. Ditto, provided they're polite. I've been known to have lunch with a stranger here & there, my treat, but I never give cash to strangers...not even a dime. Blues, dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soulshine 0 #23 December 29, 2004 After reading all of the posts I am impressed with the overall responce (ie: I'll help if they really need it) That said, maybe I'm just not too jaded yet. If someone asks me for money then 9 times out of 10 I'll give it to them. My theory is that if I were homeless and begging on the streets then I would want someone to show me the same kindness. I have also had the point brought up that most bums use the money on booze or drugs. Well, if they do then that is fine. If I were in their place then I would probably be an addict too. I do not encourage addiction in any way, however who am I to dictate how a person chooses to live their life? I would rather help the person if they are willing to accept my help....if not, then take the 5 bucks I just gave you and drown out your misery for a bit. Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity! ~DEVIOUS BEEF~~FGF #69~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #24 December 29, 2004 No, I don't give money to beggars. However, I will walk with them to the nearest restaurant and buy them food, or into the grocery store to get formula or whatnot. I donate to charities who help the needy instead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #25 December 29, 2004 I would and I have.. I can't help it sometimes. I've always lived in suburbia and had never really seen homelessness till I visited JRAF in Pitt and Chicago. It was such a contrast to be walking down the street and see all of these women in fur coats and designer bags and then the guy scrunched up against the building with his cup of coins and literally icicles on his beard. It literally broke my heart. I can't give cash to everyone either...I just feel bad walking past them when they are looking to me for help. I know there are a lot of scammers ..the whole thing makes me sad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
