I had a FTF with a member last week in Academy parking lot on 240, not the nicest area. A man in his 50's and his cracked out girlfriend came up and I know they seen us exchange money. As I'm backing up and place my keys in my hand they start asking for money. Some junk about running out of gas. I played the dick move and said I don't have any, but the other member gave them some pocket change and they walked off. I felt kind of bad for not helping but it was obviously a bs scheme, I was more worried about being robbed.
Surely with two OSA members there...at least one of you guys were carrying!
I've helped several people before and will do it again but I always try to make sure I'm aware of my surroundings and try to be as safe as possible.
Mine was In The console of my car which is why I was backing away, don't know if be was or not. Really didn't matter, I was more worried about getting home to my wife and kid and putting as much space between me and them. Now if someone actually needed help with something, they would of been helped.
Ya I don't deal with aggressive panhandling well. But if there is a legitimate need then I have no problem helping out.
I change people's tires, jumpstart their cars, and tow them for a living. I'm not about to do it for free. I'm all for people helping people, but I hate it when I take a call for service, dispatch a driver, then he drives half way across town to find they are gone because someone played good samaritan.
One little thing you might not have thought of... what happens when you jumpstart a car and they accuse you of frying their electronics? It's happened. What if you change a tire, and 30 miles later the wheel falls of. I carry insurance to pay for this, and you don't.
We have tow trucks just for this type of thing. this is exactly how some people make their living. Just a different point of view.
As far as holding doors open for people, I hate it when people walk right by and don't say anything... RUDE.
One little thing you might not have thought of... what happens when you jumpstart a car and they accuse you of frying their electronics? It's happened. What if you change a tire, and 30 miles later the wheel falls of. I carry insurance to pay for this, and you don't.
We have tow trucks just for this type of thing. this is exactly how some people make their living. Just a different point of view.
As far as holding doors open for people, I hate it when people walk right by and don't say anything... RUDE.
There is a good chance you will encounter rough people in that parking lot.
I don't give money anymore. I've been played so many times, girl in a wheelchair outside of a 7-11, gave her few bucks. Was driving by a few moments later and she was walking out the door with a quart of beer. Have be approached many times with the 'my car broke down, out of gas could you spare a few bucks' only to see them drinking it away. I probably helped more people out of bad circumstances than anything. Was in cafe having dinner with a friend, middle of winter, 8:00 pm, blowing snow and ice. Woman comes in the cafe with 3 kids and her mother. They had run out of gas and walked to cafe, she asked for help, but no one paid her any mind. I just got up, loaded up her family, went and bought some gas and got them down the road.
After a long hot day in August, I went to the local watering hole to have a frosty cold one. As it was being served up another guy was waiting on his truck to be fixed at a mechanics shop. He calls the shop, they're closing in 15 minutes. He calls a cab. Cab will pick him up in 15 min. He's stuck and he knows it. I tell the tender to put it on ice, I'll be right back. Told the fella let's go get your truck. He could not believe it. Had never met the man before.
I've been in some tough situations and strangers for the most part have always helped me out. I believe in that karma thing and it always makes me feel good helping someone.
After a long hot day in August, I went to the local watering hole to have a frosty cold one. As it was being served up another guy was waiting on his truck to be fixed at a mechanics shop. He calls the shop, they're closing in 15 minutes. He calls a cab. Cab will pick him up in 15 min. He's stuck and he knows it. I tell the tender to put it on ice, I'll be right back. Told the fella let's go get your truck. He could not believe it. Had never met the man before.
I've been in some tough situations and strangers for the most part have always helped me out. I believe in that karma thing and it always makes me feel good helping someone.
If they dont acknowledge me whatsoever, I take the opportunity to give them my deepest shakespearian bow and in my best stage voice announce, "You are very welcome my lady!"...they walk into the business with people looking at them and I walk to my truck laughing to myself...
#1 - Right on: this is, like so many other societal issues, a parenting issue. Like you, I try and be a positive role model for my kids, and this sort of situation would be a perfect lesson for them. Even outside of that, I'd take the time out of my day to help even if the kids weren't watching.
#2 - "Country life" isn't the only place that you can learn to be a caring and thoughtful human being.
Very rarely do I get asked for a jump, people now days want what you have, not your help. "I'm stranded, can you give me some money..." I think the low life's have ruined it for everybody else. I don't trust people now a days.
Similar threads
