Just did something dumb before we leave Friday.

[Teresa Pitman]

I have totally changed my attitude towards homeless people over the past few years. I used to walk past them when they were standing with their hats in their hands, avoiding their eyes. Then I was walking with a friend of mine, and noticed that he always stopped to give them some money, and always spent a few minutes talking to them - and he was a very busy person.

I resolved to do the same thing. When I go into the city, I make sure I have some money to give out. And I stop and talk to the people - asking their names, how they are doing, just making pleasant conversation for a few minutes. One man told me "most people act like I'm invisible, like I'm a ghost. Thank you for treating me like a human being."

Then I got really brave and invited one person to join me for lunch. I don't know what people around us thought, because he didn't smell all that good and his clothes looked pretty bad, but we had a very interesting conversation and I felt happy that he had one good, hot meal that day.

I'm not in the city much anymore (job contract ended) but I would do that again.

Teresa

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Got scammed too, we were selling a car once, well this man on foot came to the door and asked about the car, etc. Told him the price, and asked if he was interested. He said he sure was but he had run out of gas about 1/2 mile back could he have some $, I figured he seemed honest so I ran in and gathered up the cash I had and gave it to him. He said he would be back the next day with the car $ and the gas $, well he never did come back, but then about a week later DFiance' opened the door and guess who... DFiance' wasn't home the day the other time happened so he calls me to ask if I mind if he gives this guy some $$$ for gas since he ran out, I replied "oh what about 1/2 mile back?", DFiance' says yes, I said No way and told him what had happened a week back.

This guy must have really thought we were suckers or just forgot he had already visited us.

 

[Tinkim]

I don't think you should feel dumb if someone takes advantage of you. It is just too hard to tell if someone is being honest. You did a nice thing regardless of the outcome.

Just a funny story. . . I took my DD to the movies a couple of months ago and I had a gift card to pay for it. We ordered lunch and I had just enough on the gift card for the tickets and the meal. I then realized I had no cash on me to leave a tip. I asked the server if he could put his tip on my debit card and he said he couldn't and not to worry about it. I felt really bad and I went to the grocery store for a few things and got cash back. I went back to the movie theater about 10 minutes later and gave "Joe" his tip. The look on his face was priceless. I'm sure he didn't think I would come back. He said "you didn't have to do that" but I said he deserved a tip and I really appreciated his great attitude. He said I made his day but really I felt he had made mine.

 

[ReAnSt]

What I really want to know is what the lady did with all the baby supplies. What do you do with baby supplies for twins if you don't have kids. That to me is totally nuts.

Oh btw, I'm sorry I can't pay cash for my sandwich do you mind a stroller instead. I don't thinks so.

Becky

 

[CarolA]

And sometimes it is true LOL!

I met a man in a gas station right by the Tampa airport. He was driving a VERY nice car, but was dressed in "yard work" clothes. He told me he had taken a buddy to the airport and run out of gas. He claimed he had forgotten his wallet and asked to borrow my cell. I let him and he left a message for his wife. I then gave him $10. He was very grateful and claimed he wanted to repay me so I gave him by business card. What do you know? I received the $10 and a few extra along with a very nice note from his wife (who you could tell thought he was crazy for running out of gas!)

 

[canwegosoon]

What I really want to know is what the lady did with all the baby supplies. What do you do with baby supplies for twins if you don't have kids. That to me is totally nuts.

Oh btw, I'm sorry I can't pay cash for my sandwich do you mind a stroller instead. I don't thinks so.

Becky

A few members of the club went to her house about 2 weeks after the babies were due, to drop of a few meals(yeah it gets worse), and here's the woman, in the same state she had been 4-5 months prior. They see most the club donations in her livingroom. I don't know if she was going to try to sell the stuff in the spring or what (I think this was in Feb.). So they asked what happened, the woman told them she lied (a few members thought she might have had a miscarriage or put the babies up for adoption). They asked that she donate all the items to the local homeless shelter. But I don't think anyone knows for sure if she did, or not.

Seems like a lot of people fall for that...my car ran out of gas line...my DH did too . Sorry I will not give anyone any cash, I will buy them a lunch, I do donate, I do what I can when I can, but I will not help scammers. I rarely cary cash, and I think one thing that helps is that I do not carry a pocket book...I carry a debit card, drivers licence, and keys, if I go to an appointment I carry a pocket calander. I honestly think that if pople needed help there are enough food pantries, community outreach etc...they could go to a church or salvation army etc., why do they have to ask you? (only exception might have been the DMRICK story, because I am familiar with the area...I could see how someone might need a couple of dollars worth of gas to get to a funneral). It is so hard on all of us...you want to help those that need help, but you don't need to help those that are just taking advantage of your good nature.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

So have any of you had your kids with you when this has happened???

I live in a small town so we don't normally have this happen. But we were in Chicago and a young woman is panhandling with a sign "poor college student needs to get home". My 7 year old started crying because she knew that girl just wanted her Mommy and why couldn't we take her home. Sigh.... so I had to explain to her that we give a nice amount of money to charities that help people and there are places she could go for help, etc...... and if really wanted to go home I was sure her Mommy would come and get her.

Very tough -- but I could just see us happily running around Chicago handing out money to everyone on the street.

 

[Chicago526]

I'm a total believer in karma, so you will get your reward!!! Maybe not right away, but someday you'll need something, and it will be provided to you. And the person who took your money will get what she deserves, some way or another.

 

[ellyn2000]

You will have your kindness returned to you and it could even be 100 fold! I hope you don't let this little bump bother you on your trip. Have a wonderful time! You've earned it.

 

[canwegosoon]

a young woman is panhandling with a sign "poor college student needs to get home". My 7 year old started crying because she knew that girl just wanted her Mommy and why couldn't we take her home. Sigh.... so I had to explain to her that we give a nice amount of money to charities that help people and there are places she could go for help, etc...... and if really wanted to go home I was sure her Mommy would come and get her.QUOTE]
That was really quick thinking.....

 

[Jraines]

Thanks again--I am like the hubby who gave out the address! We're kindred spirits. I now have a new dilemma. My mother died of cancer two years ago leaving my Dad alone (just my brother and myself and we both live nearby). Today, my Dad comes in the shop to leave me some money for the children to buy themselves souveniers and guess what? He is on the verge of pneumonia. Luckily, he recognized the symptoms and went on to the doctor for antibiotics and breathing treatments but now I feel like a big fat heel: "Oh, sorry you're sick and all alone Dad! But we're headed to Disney World! We'll try to send you a postcard if we've got a spare sec!" Oh will the guilt never end???? I asked him if he needed me and, of course, he says, "No! I'll be fine--you go on and have a good time." Headline: Selfish, Ungrateful Daughter Leaves Widower Father in Throes of Pneumonia for a Trip to Disney. And my DH just lectured me this morning about leaving all of our worries and cares behind and just concentrating on being together as a family and having a good time. We did ask my father to go with us but he can't do all of the walking with his arthritis and declined. He does go with us on shorter trips with less walking. Now I feel like a true heel.

 

[gr8ful4Him]

I don't think you were doing something dumb in helping out this lady. Your heart was in the right place! Don't let your heart be hardened by this incident either. It's easy to start to just ignore every "homeless" person out there and just think their scammers, but the reality of it is...we all have plenty to share with others, if we choose to. We all are, at minimum, paying for internet, or at least we have a job where there is internet access. The money that you gave that lady might make it a little tighter on your vacation, but I believe that you will have a great time!
You may just be surprised how God repays your caring deed!

 

[DisneyMomOK]

Jody,

You did the right thing. I believe the Karma gift will be returned for your kindness and I also believe you would be second guessing yourself if you HAD NOT given her the money. It is better to do the right thing, even if it is wrong, than to feel guilty later (even if that action would have been right). Unfortunately, we never know in today's world the good from the bad.

I am sure with your Dad going right in to see the doc and getting the meds he will be okay without for a few days. Hopefully, you will see an improvement in his health before you leave.

Lots of pixie dust on your vacation.

Sharon

PS I just re-read my message and it is sort of confusing, but I think you understand what I meant.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Just wanted to say Hi to my fellow Tulsan

 

[twocat]

I strongly believe in karma. You're good deed will come back to you. Have a wonderful time.