Would you have given this guy any money?

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LCpl Boiled Egg

Three word soundbite
Nope. Not after giving someone some money to "get home" only to see him the next day, in the same place, giving me the same spiel...
 
I'm in the boat of not giving him anything, because it extreme rare that I carry cash on me. And even rarer that I'd be in town or the likes to bump into such a person.

I'm normally up in the morning, to work then home. Nothing much else exciting lol. I rarely go shopping.
 

midlife

Legendary Member
Reminds me of the old joke

Knock knock
Who's there
Biggish
Biggish Who
Sorry mate I don't have any change

Which is the answer I would have given .....

Shaun
 

Custom24

Über Member
Location
Oxfordshire
I wouldn't have parted with my cash. In the described circumstances my cynicism wouldn't allow it.

As an aside it's not unknown for members of the public to be approached in the street and given a sob story by some stranger. Once a wallet or purse is produced an accomplice snatches it and makes off.
Yes, unfortunately this has happened to me, so since then my wallet stays in my pocket.
 

Hugh Manatee

Veteran
The couple of pounds for fuel is a well known thing in motorway services. They will actually write down your reg number (when they think you're not looking) in their little book.
 

slowmotion

Quite dreadful
Location
lost somewhere
I'm far from wealthy but if somebody asks me for a small amount of money, they will probably get it. I've been scammed for up to £30 three times in my life. The last guy rang the door bell in a distressed state at 10pm and gave me a complicated pitch about needing to buy a rail ticket to get to his dying mother 300 miles away. I was 99% certain that I was about to be stiffed.......but 1% of me thought "what if I was in that position and everybody slammed the door in my face? I wouldn't like it!". It wasn't any form of saintly act, just a niggling fear of karma.
 

dst87

Well-Known Member
Location
Falkirk, UK
How long before beggars have little contactless credit card readers - just a tap to donate £2!

To be fair, it's the best chance of getting money from me! Ditto Big Issue sellers - I'd buy the mag, but I never have cash!
 

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
I would have made the excuse of having no money on me. Some people have no shame. Many years ago a local wino asked me as i was filling my petrol tank up if i'd give him the money to get to Nelson which is about 9 miles away. He struck lucky,i was going that way so i offered him a lift. He declined the offer. I wonder why that was?:rolleyes:
 

slowmotion

Quite dreadful
Location
lost somewhere
Now here's a First World tale! We hired a small car at an airport in France and set off down the Autoroute. At the first payage, I stuck a card in the payment machine. It was rejected. I tried a second one, ditto. We had no cash and there was nobody in the booth. There were about twenty cars stacked up behind us so I went to try and explain the situation to the driver behind us, expecting some arrogance and impatience. The driver behind turned out to be English.

" Here's five Euros, stick it in the machine and the barrier will open".
I started to ask for an address so that I could repay him......" No need, I hope you have a pleasant holiday.." and off we went, like ships in the night.
 

subaqua

What’s the point
Location
Leytonstone
Now here's a First World tale! We hired a small car at an airport in France and set off down the Autoroute. At the first payage, I stuck a card in the payment machine. It was rejected. I tried a second one, ditto. We had no cash and there was nobody in the booth. There were about twenty cars stacked up behind us so I went to try and explain the situation to the driver behind us, expecting some arrogance and impatience. The driver behind turned out to be English.

" Here's five Euros, stick it in the machine and the barrier will open".
I started to ask for an address so that I could repay him......" No need, I hope you have a pleasant holiday.." and off we went, like ships in the night.


Thats not trying to scam somebody and there is a clear problem.

@buggi i won't leave somebody in distress or harm . i won't give cash but i will always offer to buy them what they are asking for the money for.

one office we worked in had a recessed doorway and there used to be 3 homeless guys sleeping there. i used to buy them a hot breakfast now and again from the little takeaway up the road, only cost a couple of quid and they were happy to have.
 

Chris S

Legendary Member
Location
Birmingham
I regularly get asked for the 'cost of a cup of tea' my normal reply is no, but ill gladly sit with you and chew the fat over a breakfast in the cafe over there... Needless to say I've yet to have a breakfast with a stranger.
"Can I borrow £50 to buy a cup of tea?"
"That's an awful lot for a cup of tea ..."
"You get cake as well"
"That's still an awful lot for a cup of tea and a piece of cake ..."
"And you get dancing"
"Where are you going - The Ritz?"
"Yes"
"Couldn't you go somewhere cheaper?"
"Why should I - it's not my money!"
 

buggi

Bird Saviour
Location
Solihull
Thats not trying to scam somebody and there is a clear problem.

@buggi i won't leave somebody in distress or harm . i won't give cash but i will always offer to buy them what they are asking for the money for.

one office we worked in had a recessed doorway and there used to be 3 homeless guys sleeping there. i used to buy them a hot breakfast now and again from the little takeaway up the road, only cost a couple of quid and they were happy to have.
I've always done this too, bought them a coffee and a sandwich etc. It is the best way. I've been assured they would run away if they weren't genuine and as everyone I've done it for gratefully took me up on my offer, I presume they were genuine.
 
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