A question about charity: this a.m. I was pumping gas before work...?

Question

getting ready to leave the station and this lady pulls up in an escort wagon with Texas plates. She started in with a story about losing her licesne and needing $ to get back to TX. The lady at the pump next to me handed her a 10 spot. I had been planning on giving her abit too, my last $3 but I figured, she's got some money and I've heard a lot of similar stories over the years, particularly at the gas station. So then she asks "aren't you going to help me out?" I said, "well you've got some money now" and she says "this won't even fill my tank. You don't have to give me cash. You can pump the gas into my tank." I told her no and that she should be happy with what she got. Should I have given her more money? Do you think she was on the level? Anybody else hear this type of story from a stranger?

I usually help out when I can and I volunteer time and money to charity. I just didn't trust her since her story was one I've heard before.

gwhiz...:
Want to give me some money then?

Answer 1

You are absolutely right anyone who is that comfortable and ungrateful about begging for and receiving money from strangers is probably a scammer or has relied on charity for way too long you did her a favor by saying no maybe now she will get her sh*t together and get a job. Being generous with your time and volunteering is far more beneficial than just giving these people money.

Answer 2

The pump lady was an idiot.

Ideally, dependant on exactly how far from anywhere you were at the time, you should have just taken the 10 she had already been given right out of her hand and told her straight that sometimes life sucks and nobody cares.

Selfishness is perfectly natural for an individual. Altruism is only natural WITHIN an individual... not between independant individuals. The very fact she started asking you is strong evidence that she was up to something dodgy and you would have made things better most likely by removing the money she had already been given.

Answer 3

I hear stories like this one every time I go to NYC. If you hang out around Penn Station for more than 20 minutes you will get at least two "I am stuck" stories. She was probably looking for an extra buck for something other than a trip back home, especially considering her demeaner towards you after you said no.

I usually give these shysters a couple of bucks, if the story is a good one, just for the entertainment value, but I alway make a point to let them know it is for the story and not because I believe them.

Its the same as putting money in the offering plate at my Father's church. Great story, hear is a few bucks to keep the lights on.

Answer 4

I here this type of thing all the time my husband and I are truck drivers and it is a constant around the country. If we gave money to all of them we would be broke! I think the funniest one would of been when we were in Gary, IN and this lady wanted to get to Houston, TX(to her family) and her no good husband left her on the side of the road with four kids. She had no $$ & no food so she was asking for help. Then about a month later this same lady (no kidding) was in Pennsylvania with the same story only it began in Pennsylvania and ended in Florida(that's where her family was this time). It's pretty sad what people will do to get a free dollar just so they don't have to work!!!!

Answer 5

Normally, I would say to help the person out a bit. However, this woman sounds as if she was conning people. I'm with you on this one. She had some money and was better off than when she pulled into the gas station. To continue begging just makes her seem as if she's taking advantage.

Answer 6

I think it's a matter of your own conscience. If you want to give, give freely from the heart, not just to make yourself look good or something.

I have heard plenty stories like that, and I'm a sucker for them too. I usually give them a few dollars if I have it. If I have no cash on me, I'll get them some food to eat and something to read.

But you did what you did, and all should be fine.

Answer 7

Well I gotta say I'm a big sucker so I would probably have given her a few bucks but if I didn't and she said that that wasn't cool I would tell her that if she really wants money she should call someone because I'm not her mama so I don't have to bail her outta her problems. I don't take well to people who complain about not getting a hand out

Answer 8

She shouldn't really need any gas since she shouldn't be driving without a license. This person is probably quite used to getting handouts. I don't like to facilitate this mentality. I focus my time, energy, and money on organizations that help people help themselves (for the most part). Of course there are times when you just need a few bucks to get by, but I just prefer to help in a different fashion. Since I can't help everyone, and don't carry cash, I wouldn't have helped her. I don't just give people cash.

Answer 9

Tough call. I live in a neighborhood where cons, scams and panhandling abound. We've run into that sob story as well.

Had I been in my neighborhood, I would not have given her anything. Had I been in a better neighborhood, I might have been less suspicious but I wouldn't have given any money then either.

You could always direct someone like that to the local shelter for assistance. If they really need help, they may find it there.

Answer 10

Happened to me in California.
Young lady approached me with a similar predicament.
I ran my card through her pump and let her take what she wanted.

If she was truly in a desperate spot, I'm blessed I could help.
If it was a scam I'm only out a tank of gas.
It all belongs to God - I'll share it when called to do so.