Go to CONFESSIONS OF CHARACTER
- Add a comment
- Go to FROM ALTRUISM TO ANIMOSITY
ginnieb
Preying on your guilt is how these types of con artists get over. I may feel it initially, but ultimately, I don't have a problem saying no.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 9:02 PM
| link to this | reply
Little_Girl_Blue
I don't mind giving up a cigarette, we may see each other again in a cancer ward someday, but that's about as far as I go with helping individuals. I give my old clothes to Goodwill, canned goods and such to a local food bank (the company I work for does frequent food drives), and I even give blood from time to time, but all of my acts of charity are funneled through an established organization. I'm too often too leery of individuals in need.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 9:01 PM
| link to this | reply
lustorlove
I'm not doctor so I seriously considered I could've been jumping to conclusions about her physical state, but once I saw her moving around, my doubts disappeared. She was a bit too spry. I usually ignore homeless people when they ask for money. Maybe that's not the best course of action.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:50 PM
| link to this | reply
TIMMYTALES
I most certainly wouldn't. Begging is at the bottom of the list of things I would do in the worst case financial scenario, ranked along side a life of crime.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:45 PM
| link to this | reply
Kolekshuns
Thanks. I'm glad you like the post.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:43 PM
| link to this | reply
Pat_B
I too am quite selective with the charities I support. Usually when one asks before I offer, the result is a big, fat no.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:42 PM
| link to this | reply
rockingrector
Yes, I'm afraid this is for real. I hope they get caught too, but nothing much would happen even if they did.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:38 PM
| link to this | reply
TAPS.
There certainly are.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:37 PM
| link to this | reply
CRShelley
And when I'm with my brother, usually one of us will come up with better names to describe them.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:36 PM
| link to this | reply
FormerStudentIntern
I agree. It's people like this that make us reluctant to help anyone.
posted by
Talion_
on February 26, 2009 at 8:35 PM
| link to this | reply
That's a shame that this kind of thing happens...
...when there are so many others who could use the help. I don't like that kind of soliciting anyway...it makes you (or at least me) feel guilty and I hate that feeling.
posted by
ginnieb
on February 26, 2009 at 4:13 PM
| link to this | reply
This is why I prefer "care not cash." Hungry? I've been known to buy people food and always give my leftovers. Need a smoke? Sometimes I'll relent and give them one. Clothes? I used to leave leaf-bag size discards on the street corner in the Haight.
Money? There is nothing you are going to do with my money that is going to do you any good.
posted by
Little_Girl_Blue
on February 26, 2009 at 3:10 PM
| link to this | reply
I dont doubt they may have been faking it, but you can move around and drive even though you need a wheelchair to get around, but in my case I never give money I always tell them I will buy them a meal, but I wont give them money, they take me up on that
posted by
Lanetay
on February 26, 2009 at 11:46 AM
| link to this | reply
talion
You found out through observation and relied on your instincts; good job. I have found that those that are truely in need will not ask.
posted by
TIMMYTALES
on February 26, 2009 at 9:00 AM
| link to this | reply
One thing is for sure.........
You are an excellent writer. 
posted by
Kolekshuns
on February 26, 2009 at 8:03 AM
| link to this | reply
This is exactly why I say no to almost all solicitations from
charitable organizations. I support the local food bank, the local Habitat organization, etc., but I made the mistake of donating to Doctors Without Borders by mail and got on at least 27 other mailing lists, a never-ending parade of gimme gimme gimme. I hate con artists and scammers.
posted by
Pat_B
on February 26, 2009 at 4:49 AM
| link to this | reply
Is this for real? So glad you spotted the scam and had the courage to resist. Hope they get caught.
posted by
Rockingrector_retd
on February 26, 2009 at 1:42 AM
| link to this | reply
That would make anyone disgusted. So many scams going on these days.
posted by
TAPS.
on February 26, 2009 at 1:11 AM
| link to this | reply
Some people shouldn't be called "people"!!
posted by
CRShelley
on February 25, 2009 at 7:14 PM
| link to this | reply
The things some people will resort to. Unbelievable. Those sorts of people give people who really are experiencing hardship a bad name.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on February 25, 2009 at 5:47 PM
| link to this | reply