Here's the scenario to get you started. You are standing in line in a grocery/department store and the person a head of you is short by a few dollars or what ever your currancy is?
Do you offer to help them or do you just mind your own business and not bother with them? Give a detailed response on what you would do.
2006-12-06 04:56:01 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
This actually happened to me last year during the summer. The lady in front of me was buying bananas, saltine crackers and a loaf of bread. She was paying with pennies.....literally....a whole jar of them. The lady behind me was making rude comments, the lady behind her was rolling her eyes and then the lady with the pennies had tears rolling down her cheeks. I literally felt as though I was in the twighlight zone. Feeling embarrassed, I quietly told the clerk to put her total onto my bill and give her back her change. the clerk gladly did so (she later commented how she wasn't going to count out $4.00 worth of pennies). The girl with the pennies, was now crying and offering me her pennies. Of course I refused, but the look in her eyes never leaves my heart. How do you turn your back or look the other way in a situation like that? You can't and you shouldn't...and if you do...remember this: The decisions you make in an instant, reflects on a lifetime of your true character!
2006-12-06 05:04:20 · answer #1 · answered by Hollynfaith 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've never really encountered a situation like this. But I would if it was only a couple of dollars. What goes around comes around. So I help anyone I can because I hope that if I need help one day, someone will be there to help me.
I've had customers come to rent or purchase something from my store and they have been short a few cents. If I know I have change in my purse, I tell them not to worry about it. I'll take care of it. I ring through the transaction and will take the change out of my purse later to even out the til.
2006-12-06 09:42:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I generally wouldn't; but it would depend. If it was an elderly person, and the amount was small, I would size up the situation and maybe step in.
If it was a child, (and I have been that child) whose mom had sent her to the store to buy a patricular brand of milk or cereal, and she got confused and bought a more expensive one, I would help out.
Trust is gone from the world - many people would see this type of situation as either a con job or else none of their business.It's a shame really, but innocence has fled too.
I once loaned a friend a sum of money to pay her electricity bill; I didn't have it either, but she knew I had a tiny nest egg for emergencies. She said she would pay me back at the end of the month. She didn't. She said she had no money, yet always found money to buy 40 cigarettes a day.
I was patient; I didn't ask; I just listened to her excuses. Eight months later, she arrived at my house with a cake and a bottle of wine, saying "this has us quits then"
It certainly did not. A cake and a bottle of wine, not even one tenth of the amount I had loaned her.
We are no longer friends.
2006-12-06 05:30:13 · answer #3 · answered by marie m 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I generally will, but it depends on the situation. Like some stated earlier, it depends on what they are buying.
In a somewhat related incident, a lady at the bus stop asked for some money to take the bus downtown to pick up a prescription and that she also needed money for the medicine (some story about just having surgery on her knees). I gave her the $2 that I had left over from my bus fare. Three months later, the same woman at the same bus stop gave me the same sob story right after I saw her smoking a cigarette. I told her I had no cash.
It's unfortunate that many people will take advantage of generousity, so I say, judge your giving on a case by case basis. If they smell like cigarettes or beer, I will not give them money, because its obvious they waste it.
2006-12-06 06:01:35 · answer #4 · answered by Becky 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's a random act of kindness.. Go for it, give it to them and then move on. I wouln't want them to make a big deal about it or be embarassed. Someone gave me .07 when I was short @ Starbucks. I had the change in the car, but she said no worries and we went on from there. I thought it was nice.
2006-12-06 07:05:51 · answer #5 · answered by Mom2six 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course I help, providing I have the cash.
A few dollars isn't going to make or break me and it may make a difference in that person's whole day.
People need to show kindness to recieve it. Many people have been kind to me and I try to pass it on.
2006-12-06 05:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by blue.green_eyes 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the scenario--Not for a Wino with a basketful of wine,but probably someone else.
2006-12-06 05:13:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have done that and people have done that for me! Once my parents took us 6 kids to a nice resturant...must have been tax return time....Anyway when my Dad went to pay they said someone paid our entire bill! I am sure there are still people who do crazy stuff like that and I thank God for them!
2006-12-06 05:32:24 · answer #8 · answered by peace2all 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do this all the time. If they are short and I have the money I just pay their entire bill. Unless the majority of their purchase is liquor and cancer sticks.
2006-12-06 05:24:58 · answer #9 · answered by blazenphoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has happened several times over the years. i even was helped once when was a couple of dollars short.
2006-12-06 05:07:59 · answer #10 · answered by the older big kid who helped invent dirt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋