apart from the fact that I think you were had by a pro... However, I have given people money when they asked. I knew they were handing me a pack of lies, but a long time ago I learned to be happy that I hadn't sank that low.

While I don't expect to change their lives, it does make changes to the person I see in the mirror every day.

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I've given money to people who express the need. While I know that some of them may be con-artists, I believe that most are not. I'd rather give the occasional $10 bill to someone who was trying to con me than failing to give one to someone who was simply going through a rough patch and needed some help. You did good!

There is a man (homeless, I think) who tends to hang out at the Wendy's a town away from me. He never bothers anyone and just sits inside, sipping a drink to stay out of the elements. One evening, I was eating there with my youngest daughter and her small son. My grandson picked at his food and more of it ended up in the trash can that went into his belly. I looked at this poor man who may or may not have had any supper at all and felt really bad about the food that we had wasted. I didn't know if it would be rude to approach him so instead, I asked to speak to the manager. She was a nice woman who said that the man rarely ordered food and usually paid for his beverages with assorted change. I gave her a $20 bill and asked her to see that he had a sandwich for his next few visits. She assured me that she would.

A few days later, my daughter mentioned what I had done when talking to a friend of hers. Her friend laughed and said that she bet the restaurant manager put the money in her pocket and let the guy go hungry. I believe otherwise.

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Elizabeth Grace

A lot depends on the situation.
I probably have been "had" a time or two but usually I help out people in need.
If someone says to me they are hungry I usually invite them to have a meal at my expense.
Once a person told me they needed money for a bus trip, they refused my offer to drive them where they where going (about 2 hrs away),so maybe that was a scam.
In some nearby cities there have been major problems with aggressive scuggee kids (wearing 200 dollar shoes and top line designer clothes), so laws have been passed to protect motorists.
I will say whenever I have been compelled to help others, I have always been blessed for the effort. So help where you can, is the best way of life regardless of other's motives right or wrong.

Keep the faith.

living on the Rez. I've heard it a dozen different ways. About half the time I found myself giving.

But I'm more into giving the ol' pentecostal handshake - when I hear of a need, not when someone begs it of me.

What's that shake, you might ask?

A handshake with a folded up bill left in their hand when I let go.

It seamed like I was approached for money all the time. One man I gave money to had a sign that said, "Will not lie, I want a beer"

But there was a Jack in the Box across the street from my apartment and almost everytime I went though the drive though I would pick up an extra meal and give it to the guy that lived next to the Dumpster. He was always there and never asked but one day when I saw him grab some half eaten food I realized that I needed to help some way. I asked him what he wanted and he told me, so when ever I saw him there I would get his meal with mine and I could tell he appreciated it.

Dru

"I woke up breathing, so no complaints here!!!"

http://druworld.blogspot.com/

gas stations and other places and ask for money. Many of them make money that way; they come across as down and out.

Even so, there are times I've handed people money, hoping they really needed it for something other than booze or drugs.

TF

McDonalds and other fast food restaurants sell them individually and in coupon books. (Some are starting to switch to gift cards.) The restaurant will ONLY redeem them for food or beverage - no "cash back".

If they are really hungry and not just lying, they will be glad to accept them so that they can get a meal.

If they want the money for booze or drugs; they give me a disgusted look and walk away.

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

It's good to hear how others handle these difficult situations.

Margie

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