va32h
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2005
- Messages
- 4,667
I belong to lots of message board communities, and in one of them, a member (I'll call her Sally) stopped posting for awhile, then reappeared to tell us that she is suffering from a string of tragedies. Sally didn't ask for any money herself, but another member has been soliciting and collecting donations on her behalf. And Sally is taking the money. Sally pops in from time to time to thank everyone for their contributions and update us on her various crises - which never seem to entirely go away.
I was asked to donate and refused - I said I was not financially able, which is true, but I also have just a basic distrust of situations like this. After all - this is the internet, people can say anything.
It's hard for me to believe that anyone can truly be in dire financial straits, when they still have a computer and internet access, although people have given me explanations (maybe they use the library, a friend's computer, etc.)
I am also skeptical when the same person reports crisis after crisis, especially when some of the situations seem to contradict themselves. Or when people offer advice about various free social services and there is always some reason why Sally isn't eligible for them, or can't use them.
And I guess it just surprises me that anyone would ask for financial help from people they have never actually met. I realize that not everyone has a family or circle of friends they can turn to in times of need - but it just seems odd to me that a woman with a job, and children, and parents, would have no one in "real life" she could ask for assistance.
I haven't said anything on the discussion board, because everyone seems to be very sympathetic to Sally - even new members who weren't around when she left the board the first time. But the whole situation just seems really off to me.
So, I am sensible, or a heartless cynic? Do you tend to believe people when they post online, or do you secretly think "yeah, right!".
Personally, I believe people most of the time, and am always ready to lend sympathy, advice, or positive thoughts. But when the talk turns to money, my radar goes up.
I was asked to donate and refused - I said I was not financially able, which is true, but I also have just a basic distrust of situations like this. After all - this is the internet, people can say anything.
It's hard for me to believe that anyone can truly be in dire financial straits, when they still have a computer and internet access, although people have given me explanations (maybe they use the library, a friend's computer, etc.)
I am also skeptical when the same person reports crisis after crisis, especially when some of the situations seem to contradict themselves. Or when people offer advice about various free social services and there is always some reason why Sally isn't eligible for them, or can't use them.
And I guess it just surprises me that anyone would ask for financial help from people they have never actually met. I realize that not everyone has a family or circle of friends they can turn to in times of need - but it just seems odd to me that a woman with a job, and children, and parents, would have no one in "real life" she could ask for assistance.
I haven't said anything on the discussion board, because everyone seems to be very sympathetic to Sally - even new members who weren't around when she left the board the first time. But the whole situation just seems really off to me.
So, I am sensible, or a heartless cynic? Do you tend to believe people when they post online, or do you secretly think "yeah, right!".
Personally, I believe people most of the time, and am always ready to lend sympathy, advice, or positive thoughts. But when the talk turns to money, my radar goes up.
We've had several other cases like that one, sadly. Money really means nothing to me if I can't share it with people less fortunate like those poor families where a loved one was racing the clock against death. 
I'm sure if I run into a case like that again in the future here on the DIS, I'll be ready and willing to donate what I can.
Unbelievable.
. He has little or no personality, and is not very attractive physically. My DSIL says she believes all these cockamamie stories, but I actually think that she's so happy to be in Florida that she doesn't care what he's doing up here. She's of the attitude "if he gets here, he gets here and if he doesn't, he doesn't". Works for them, I guess. 
