I was in the parking lot in Krogers today and was approached by a lady in her car who wanted to know if I could help her. She looked really desperate and said she was trying to get out a bad relationship and was trying to make it to St. Louis and that she was from Florida, that is also where her license plate said she was from. She was looking for gas money. I was hesitant to give this woman any money but then she looked like she was going to cry and she was really scared and she understood if I couldn't help. I only gave her a couple of dollars because I only had a 20 dollar bill in my purse and quite honestly I needed it.

I just wonder what this lady's story is. Was she being abused and running away or was she an alcoholic or druggie looking for another fix? I have always been told not to give money to people like that but it is so hard because if I were ever in need like that I would hope that I could get some help. What if my DD was ever in that situation? I would want someone to help her get out. I only gave her a couple of dollars and I feel like a heel for that also.

Am I gullable?

I would of done the same thing. Yes she could of been looking for next fix, but she really could of been telling you truth. I would of worried about her if I hadn't given her money all day/week. So if nothing else you saved yourself that. Plus no good deed goes without reward, no matter what the circumstance was, you did a good thing!!

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I had that happen to me once. Two down and out women in a grocery parking lot were telling me they needed gas money to get home. They spent all the money they had putting flowers on their mom's grave ? Then had a flat trying to get home. I want to think they were being truthful, but I doubt it. YOu are a kind heart though.

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Live, Love, Laugh

You are probably gulliable but you did a nice thing. Even if she doesn't use it to get out of town its only a couple bucks.

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Laura
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oh i have heard the stories about running out of gas, family emergency etc. the one about 'i spent all my $ on flowers for my mom's grave' is not a new one...and must work better than others..i have had people say this to me several times at a downtown grocery store. the cashiers there told me it was the neighborhood meth users that do this. i believe it. lots of drugs downtown and lots of people begging for money -

so......it's most likely not true, but you are still very kind to help someone

not stupid...good hearted! Now, $100 and I would have said stupid Unless you have lots of spare money around.

I like to help as much as I can as well and feel for people and their stories. Most I hear are people who want money for food. 90% of them balk when you offer to get them food and bring it back...they want the cash so you KNOW they don't need the food. They want ciggys or booze or worse. I had a family of 4 out with a sign a few months back who had PILES of suitcases with them. Story was they were foreclosed on and had no home DH got his truck we helped them to the shelter and got them dinner on the way. Later we heard that a couple heard about this family and used empty suitcases and boxes to lure people to give them money for the night (or whatever) People just suck sometimes

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I don't think you are stupid however I would have given her a ride to the local women's shelter or bought her some food or something. There are so many tweakers around here it is hard to trust people for money.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I would never ever let a person who came up to me in a parking lot get into my car!! If she was a scammer, then you're really asking for trouble by letting her into your space.

OP, I don't think you were stupid, just gullible. Like another poster said, it was only a couple of bucks. You know your heart was in the right place and you can sleep good tonight knowing you helped someone.

A few months ago DH and I were in a parking lot looking at used cars and a man came up to us. He wanted money for food, he said. My DH told him he wouldn't give him money but he could meet us at the Hardees just down the road and he'd buy him a meal. Sure enough, he met us at the Hardees and DH bought him a meal. The man was really grateful and kept thanking DH.

Not stupid, but gullible, I think. If she really was running away from a bad relationship, she could have gone to the police, Red Cross, Traveler's Aid, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army.

At least it was only a few bucks, right?

I would have taken her to a gas station and put gas in her car. That was what she was asking for. My Mom always feed men that came down the railroad usually people down on their luck. ( this was in the 1950's) Our very churchy neighbor always fussed at Mom for doing that. Mom always said she felt better feeding someone than feeling guilty about them maybe being hungry all day. I am always leery of people asking for help, but usually do help in some way, if I can and don't feel like it is a scam.

I like that idea....

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

Around here its an everyday occoruance its the same old thing I am from out of town & need diapers for my baby or I am on vactation & my money got stolen. Yesterday it was a guy selling movies obviously just trying to get money like the rest of them he had no movies & no car so have no idea where they were he thankfully didnt approach me just the lady next to me but everyday in a certain area about 1 mile away a business district has people like this everyday told my kids I am gonna quit going down thier we will just have to drive further. If you try to offer these people info on where to go they dont want it they only want cash

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mom of 3 greats girls

Thanks guys, I don't really care about the money it is just I would HATE to have donated even a dime to anyone involved in drugs. That is what bothers me the most but I always think what if this person really is in need. I guess I am probably better off not knowing.

sleep well tonight-you did a nice thing...I believe in Karma-what comes around goes around.

I think you will sleep alot better tonite knowing that you did what you could, rather than wondering from here on if you should've. Someone on here has that saying "I would rather help someone and find out they didn't really need it, than not help them and find out later that they really did". I think about that line alot. I've actually had people come up to me on 2 different occasions and give a similar story. I did what you did, and hoped for the best.

As I used to hear my granny say in situations like this.......

At least you'll be able to sleep at night knowing your heart was in the right place and that you were trying to do the right thing.........

However if this lady can't sleep at night, it will be because of her conscious.



In situations like this and the way people in this world have become, it's hard to know what to do in that 'moment'. Maybe it's being niave, maybe it's harsh. But I personally would like to 'think' that I was able to help someone in need, feel better about my self, etc. THAN to have shunned someone truly needing help OR to have possibly created a situation that could have brought harm to myself or others. There's lot of scenario's that could play out in times like this. Just feel good about yourself and sleep well tonight You did a good thing, you know it, your heart knows it, & the good Lord above knows it too.

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email is moserlara@yahoo.com

You definately did the right thing. I always think of the Bible verses about giving to those who ask and what you do unto others you do to me (Jesus). I can't remember the exact verses, but I always remember that when I'm asked and I give a few dollars and I pray for them. Even if it turns out to be a scam, I know I'm doing the right thing and maybe my prayers will help.

Now there are known scam artists on the freeway ramps that I don't give to as I know for a fact they are scamming. One of the local church pastors has spoken with them and offered help with employment, food, shelter, etc., but they just wanted cash and nothing else.

But others I do, just a few months ago there was a lady with 2 small children stopped on the side of the road leading into our neighborhood. She said she was low on gas and didn't have any money. So I gave her $2 since that was all I had on me. Then I felt bad that I didn't think to direct her to the church down the road, I know they could have helped her out more.

Jenn

ITA....never let someone you don't know into your home, your car, etc......These day you never know about somebody.......!!!

I don't think your stupid, and I don't really see you as being gullible either, just a good hearted person.....So many people take advantage these days, but there are still some poor souls out there who really need help, and I know if it had been me I would have done the same thing....

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

In a situation like that, the almost out of gas story and need to get somewhere, etc. I always offer for them to meet me at the gas station and I will put gas in ther car, if they are just looking for money to get drunk or high, they will usually refuse to go. One guy had a gas can with him and had a story, but then refused to meet me across the street for gas, so you know he was lying, LOL. I never give money.

You cannot let it bother you or worry you what she spent it on. You did a kind deed you gave a gift. Once you give a gift you just let it go and whatever the person does with it is their responsibility.

If a person is going to buy drugs they are going to do it whether they work and earn the money, steal it or bum it from people.

I don't want to sound judgemental however for the most part if a person is drugged out or has drinking or mental health issues it is often obvious.

I hope she really was a battered woman (wait a minute that doesn't sound right LOL but you guys know what I mean) and that she saw the kindness of your act. If she was being honest then what you did was show her that the world is not a cruel place with only pain for her but that there are people out there, good people and if one person cares then more must also.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

my dh is a sales rep for a soda company and he gets hit up all the time in store and gas station parking lots with the same story. He tells them to pull up to the pump and he will put a few gallons of gas in their car. So far many have asked, but nobody has ever taken him up on it.

You did a good thing, don't let it bother you where the money went to, just know you did the right thing.

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