money, he said he and his daughter were visiting from South Carolina, and they didn't have any money to eat, my first thought was how do you have money to travel, but you don't have money to eat?But I gave him the money anyway, because he really appeared to look poor, but today at McDonald's drive through the same man approached me again, I remembered him, but he did not remember me, but this time he said he was he and his wife was visting from New York, and did not have any money to buy food. " I told him no, and told him that yesterday he told me he was from South Carolina, and it was his daughter instead of his wife. He walked away looking very disappointed.I feel guilty for not giving him the money, but had he stick to the same story perhaps I would of felt some sympathy for him. Has that ever happened to you? Was I wrong?
2007-07-02 06:17:27 · 11 answers · asked by Virgo27 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
You weren't wrong, but I understand why you feel guilty. Why don't you try to find some names and numbers of people that might be able to offer him some REAL help like maybe a shelter or job-training program. I don't carry a lot of cash, and when I am approached, I usually don't have anything to give people. I always wonder what happened in their lives to get to that point.
On a more cynical note- Several years ago, I read a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune (I think) where somebody followed panhandlers to see where they slept and how they lived. some of those panhandlers would walk a few blocks, get into an expensive car, and drive out to the suburbs to their nice homes and stuff. They didn't have to pay income taxes, because they recieved all of their money as small gifts. I'll try to find the story and put a link up.
EDIT- I couldn't find that story, but google panhandler income. It's really interesting to see how people in different parts of the country/world view panhandling.
2007-07-02 06:32:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This has happened to me before. I was in a grocery store parking lot and a guy told me his car was around the corner and broke down and he was traveling to Texas and couldn't afford to fix the car. I gave him some money. A few weeks later I was with friends in the same parking lot and the same guy, new story was asking for money. I felt like he was a scam artist, but I figure I gave what I could and if it was a scam, it's shame on him, not me. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts and do what feels right to you.
2007-07-02 06:24:22 · answer #2 · answered by Delete 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, you were absolutely not wrong! You've heard the old adage, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me?" Good for you! The first gift was your kindness and compassion, the second would have been your foolishness under the circumstances. I say this to you as a Christian, that God would not have us duped by such scams. Furthermore, you should report the incident to the fast food restaurant which should not allow pandering on their property.
2007-07-02 06:31:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
He sounds like one of those professional moochers! Do not feel bad and don't give away your hard earned money to him. McDonalds would probably hire him to work if he applied, then he could afford meals if he really needed help, some people would rather beg than work.
2007-07-02 06:26:59 · answer #4 · answered by Maria b 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yeah you were wrong. wrong for giving him money in the first place. whats he doing at mc donalds asking for money if hes got no food? how about asking for food? no hes a liar and a cheat and he needs some wine. most homeless people put themselves in that position in the first place cause they are either drunks drug addict or lazy. this isnt a movie like happyness or what ever it was called
2007-07-02 06:26:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
no you were not wrong i would have called the police,i hate people who lie i would be more likely to give money to someone who said they had spent it all.i gave money to a begger and seen the same begger 3 hours later 18 miles away.like you say got no money to eat but can travel.
2007-07-02 06:25:50 · answer #6 · answered by niki 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A good samaritan will give purely from the love of giving. Not because of the story they are told. God finds pleasure in the cheerful giver. This man may really be hungry and need help. It may take all his pride to ask for change. Many of us could soon change places with him. Be a cheerful giver, and be guilt free.
2007-07-02 06:24:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
hey i stopped eatin at mcd's as i had sum m8's dun work experience and he told me some man popped his zitz in the kitchens then without washing hands he went back to preparing burgers
2007-07-02 06:27:58 · answer #8 · answered by noddin all da way 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, you weren't wrong, but you need to stop hitting Mickey D's every day. It's not healthy.
2007-07-02 06:37:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
no you weren't wrong....you were kind enough to give him money, and he used you. you had good intentions...so don't let it bother you. he probably used that money to either eat, or buy booze.
2007-07-02 06:27:37 · answer #10 · answered by tweetybird37406 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋