I'm so pissed. I can't believe what I did with this guy.

[Dr_2_B]

Stupid STUPID me. And I'm tactically conscious, or at least I thought I was. I'm just about to pull off my sidestreet onto a busier street the other day, mid-morning. A guy walks towards my car on his cell-phone holding up a finger as to say, "Hang on one second, I need to say something." And I locked the door, but sorta waited for him to finish his thought on the cellphone before speaking.

He made some mention of blessing [which pushes my Christian faith-button] and said he was outta gas and had only a few cents to his name and asked for anything I could give... a few dollars maybe and said he was just on the phone with his fiancee. I wasn't gonna give him much, so I LOOKED AWAY and grabbed a few quarters out of my console and said "Sorry, that's all I got." And his clearly disappointed response through a downcast face was, "Oh well, ...that's okay."

Let me count the ways I was wrong in this encounter, down to the part where I apologized to him for not giving him more of MY money. Jeez, I could B-slap myself for that. Anybody else ever been SO STUPID? FERCRYINOUTLOUD!!!

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

I now have another reason for being Agnostic.

 

[Leanwolf]

You just fell victim to the usual scam.

That dude's "plea" was just one of many variations on the same theme.

They're all scams.

L.W.

 

[TFin04]

Bad times we live in.

Years ago you would have not only given him gas money, but would have driven him to the station and back to his car to help him fill it up.

It's sad, really.

I had a similar situation at a gas station where a fella approached me for gas money. I told him that I didn't have any cash (which was true), but I was also getting gas. He figured out I was using a credit card and asked for me to just put that in his pump, he only wanted 2 bucks worth.

I told him I was using a gas card and he could have it (luckily had one with a zero balance in my wallet and I just tossed it to him. By the time he figured out it didn't work I was on my way.

Stay safe out there, it was just your good nature showing through.

 

[Dr_2_B]

Yeah TFin, the headlines are full of us good-natured people. It usually begins, "Unsuspecting..."

 

[imprezagm4]

In high school a couple years ago something similar happened to me. Working at a Rite Aid, 9:30pm, store was dead. Middle aged guy comes up to me, gives me a sob story about him needing a few bucks to buy a pizza next door for his kids. I think I gave him a $5 or a $10... even though I was sure he was out for a quick buck.

What if he really did need it? I could have never been sure... and whats a few bucks anyhow. Sometimes despite my best judgement I can't help but be a good samaritan.

Don't be dismayed about it, you did nothing wrong in my eyes... next time just push for details to find out if he is for real.

 

[Shaughn Leayme]

I was driving a highway unit, because a route driver had called in sick (Kenworth with a 53' van) and was stopped at the light just off the interstate and this guy comes running up and jumps on the running board, I tell him to get off my unit and he says give him a few bucks and he will, well because we were hauling secured loads, I hit the panic button on the dash and with no cross traffic, started moving the truck (standard company policy for attempted hijacking), speed shifting and heading for the interstate.

My uninvited guest was starting to get a little white as the speed mounted and was begging for me to stop, I did when the police cars showed up.

This guy made a habit of jumping on trucks and demanding money, figured that the trucker would give him something just to get rid of him.

I had a my carry weapon with me at the time, but company policy was to get the vehicle out of the danger zone if at all possible.

Unfortunately, this is type of activity is widespread and it doesn't look as if much is being done, maybe throwing them in jail for 24 hours or something, I don't know.

Well...I have another suggestion to in how to deal with it.......

 

[phonesysphonesys]

I never hand out money on the street. I learned that in Washington D.C.
I have had a few stare down moments. Never put your hands in your pocket.

Semper Fi

 

[Prince Yamato]

Organized begging is what it is. These guys are racketeers. They can make upwards of $30K a year tax-free. You want to see the experts, visit Toronto Canada. At the corner of Bay and Bloor, there's this petite 60 year old woman who dresses in furs who comes up to you and asks, "excuse me sir", like she's asking for directions, and then she says, "can you spare $5 for a cup of coffee."

On the plus side, after moving back to the US, I had a bunch of Canadian pennies, which I'd occasionally give to homeless people who pissed me off.

 

[Trip20]

What exactly is upsetting you? Is it the fact that you got scammed for 75 cents? Or is it your reaction to someone approaching your vehicle?

If the latter, I think it's difficult to stop people from approaching your vehicle other than by pulling away and leaving the location, which is not always an option at a red light or when stuck in busy lanes of traffic.

You can't exactly kick open your door and draw on someone for approaching your vehicle (not rational, at least not to me).

And since these aren't yet legal in the U.S., you really couldn't have done much different other than not giving him some change. Yeah, ok, you looked away for a second to grab the change, but at the point when someone is standing next to your vehicle, you're toast if they have ill intentions.

Precautions such as holsters that allow a quick draw while seated/belted in your vehicle might help. But really, when someone has the advantage of both mobility and surprise, you're sitting in a metal coffin.

 

[MCgunner]

I think I'd have told him to pray real hard and, if he loves Jesus, maybe God would help him out. I run into these idiots ALL the time, one scam after another. I guess the net and e-mail spams toughen me to such scams.

 

[Dr_2_B]

Trip, what kills me is that I didn't behave very safely. Can you believe I rolled down my blasted window a little? Why not just invite the guy to reach through? And what adds some insult to is is that I APOLOGIZED to this guy for not giving him more, to which he gave a begrudging, "oh, umm, it's okay."

JEEZ! Why didn't I just bend over?

 

[mr.trooper]

Dude, the whole "Help me Christian brother, im out of gass!" Is one of the most common and cliche' scams around.

Unless I know someone, I dont give them money. There are no freebies in life. Its a different matter if they are willing to work for it, but i dont give handouts.

 

[Shaughn Leayme]

They play on the kindness that exists in everyone, some of these guys are so good, I wouldn't be surprised overly much, if some of them didn't have a doctorate in psychology.

They learn to look for little indicators, much like a predator watches a herd looking for those not quite paying attention, before moving in.

We all makes mistakes at times and hopefully, we only wind up feeling stupid, but on the upside, it can be considered something of a wake up call.

 

[rustymaggot]

i used to work a gas station graveyard shift. ive seen my share of beggars trying to get gas money. a few times i get guys who need gas money bad so i ask em if they have anything on em for sale. ive gotten great toolboxes full of snapon and mac tools for dirt cheap.

as far as people who need food, the store had sandwiches that expired at midnight. i couldnt sell em. i was allowed to eat em tho if i saved the labels. i gave those out sometimes. sometimes id have guys ask for food and id hand em a towel and say they could have a sandwich and a soda or coffee if they went out and dusted the gas pumps or swept the sidewalks. 10 minutes of work for a sandwich and coffee, most of the bums took the offer. some refused to work for anytrhing. the ones who would get up and do somthing id make sure i gave em more than i promised. an extra sandwich beyond the one i said id give, that sort of thing.

nowdays i always have food in my backpack in the truck. i wont give money but ill give food. some are really exited to get somthing, other are mad cause i wont give em cash.

 

[Sheldon J]

OK...

A driver is stuck in a traffic jam on US 95 south, just outside of
Washington.

Nothing is moving north or south.

Suddenly a man knocks on his window.

The driver rolls down his window and asks, "What happened?" "What's
the hold up?"

"Terrorists have kidnapped Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Jesse
Jackson, and Al Sharpton.

They are asking for a $10 million ransom. Otherwise, they are
going to douse them with gasoline and set them on fire. "

"We are going from car to car, taking up a collection."

The driver asks, "on average how much is everyone giving, ?"

"About a gallon."

 

[telomerase]

Don't beat yourself up over this... beat yourself up over the fact that more than half of your income goes to taxes (way more, if you're dumb enough to live in one of the tax hells like I do). Tax money isn't just wasted... it's actually used against you and your family. Aid To Dependent Dictators, Corporate Welfare, Prohibition II, Publik Skools.... all funded by YOU (and me).

So see, giving a few dollars to a freelance con artist is no big deal... it's the professional ones that are the real threat

 

[Shaughn Leayme]

Definitely a 5.9 out of 6 on the funny scale...unless your a Democrat

 

[davhina]

Anybody else ever been SO STUPID?

Yes, unfortunately. I had just moved to California, back in the mid 80's. Took a break from work, walked into a convenience store, which at the time in Cali sold liquor. A man walks up to me and says that he needs $$ for diapers and formula for his baby(baby is in his arms). I had very little money at the time but felt bad for the child and thought i was better off, so i gave him $10.
I went in, bought a soda, stepped outside for a smoke and I watched this "man" walk out of the store with a bottle of booze, no diapers, no formula, but baby still in his arms.

Got played for a fool. If someone asks for $$ for food, i now offer to buy them lunch..no takers so far...

You are not stupid. Scumbags/freeloaders, whatever you want to call people like that, play on our sense of decency, and willingness to help our fellow man. Offer a different solution to the problem(don't give $$), such as buying what they "need"(gas, etc.).Don't know how many times i've been asked for money for gas by a person that had no gas can or car in the gas station.

Wow...way OT but, bottom line is if you have ccw, and carry,(or not) you must be very aware of what is going on around you. Watch your mirrors, be extremely cautious of anyone that you don't know, approaching your vehicle, or possibly following you home. Be careful.

 

[rayman]

Don't beat yourself up. It could have been in a worse place & in worse circunstances.

 

[davhina]

Congratulations

The driver rolls down his window and asks, "What happened?" "What's
the hold up?"

"Terrorists have kidnapped Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Jesse
Jackson, and Al Sharpton.

They are asking for a $10 million ransom. Otherwise, they are
going to douse them with gasoline and set them on fire. "

"We are going from car to car, taking up a collection."

The driver asks, "on average how much is everyone giving, ?"

"About a gallon."

Congratulations,
You just made a grown man pee his pants
Great Joke!

 

[FortyCalGlock]

Astronaut

You cracked your window for him. You are lucky he didn't go "astronaut" on you!

I have all sorts of creatures come up to my truck (Western Star) looking for handouts almost every night. The door or window doesn't move though. A not interested snotty look is all I give. However one night had a hippy chick come up barefoot and all asking for spare change for gas. She pointed to a an old caprice with about 4 hippy guys and chicks sitting on the trunk. I gave her a handful of change and she ran back to the car where they counted it and started putting gas in it. This was last summer. Hell $2 wouldn't even fill my fuel filters up but I made their night. My favorite scenario is when I'm doing work on my truck in a truckstop on a weekend (aka I'm not home with my wife cuz I need the money) getting filthy and someone clean as can be comes up and asks me for gas money. I usually tell them I work to HARD for my money to just give it away to someone that doesn't. Works everytime.

 

[jdl357]

I was at Micky D's the other morning and a guy was going from table to table asking for money. No one was giving him anything. He got to me and I asked him if he was hungry. He was, said he had not eaten yesterday or yet today. I took him to the counter and told him to order whatever he wanted. He got the biggest breakfast meal they had and 3 oj's. I paid his bill. He sat down and ate every bite. Said thanks and went on his way. I felt ok about this.

 

[Dr_2_B]

I do have one good one from the other day tho. You guys'll be proud. A lady stopped me outside the Post Office telling me a sob story about the kids not having eaten in 3 days.

I raised an eyebrow, "Ma'am, I work closely with Child Protective Services (which is the truth). Are your children in danger?"

Man, have you ever seen an old woman backpeddle? She must've had CPS involved before... it's a very involved process and the children can be temporarily placed in foster homes for their well-being if they are at risk.

I felt kinda sinister, but the truth is, it was no-doubt a scam.

 

[beretta9]

Years ago when I first started driving semi, I stopped at a truck stop and just as I stepped out a guy walked up and said he was out of gas and his wife and kids were waiting. Being new to this I gave him 5 bucks. Maybe he did need it? A couple hours later I stopped at a really large rest area with about 20-30 people walking around. Right in the middle of the open area in front of the rest rooms with all these people walking around it was a 5 dollar bill. Sign from above? Not sure. But, glad I am a Christian.