If you're at the store and..

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by The Synergizer

I might if there’s booze in the basket and she’s a particularly hot milf in a clingy sun dress.

LOL... I've never had anyone in line not have the $$$, but I woud pay for them depending upon the circumstances....

Like above

edit: Thinking back... I have purchased food at a take-out for folks that asked... a couple of times in recent years.

[oldE]

When my wife was in for hip surgery, I was in the waiting room and watched a young woman trying to get money from the cash point machine so she could get her ticket to get out of the parking lot. I knew the machine wasn't going to work, as I had messed with it the night before. After a few minutes, I approached her with money, explaining the situation and suggested by way of payment, she could "pass it on " to someone else who needed a break.
Just another day. She didn't need more stress.

Best
Les

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by Scott R

I thought this was an isolated incident during the pandemic, maybe it's a scam and I'm not in on it.

Let me ask you this, several times over the last year I've been in the self checkout or regular checkout, and a family can't pay. Card is declined, not enough cash, either. I pay for them. I've had people offer to "venmo" me or whatever the money later, but I don't have that stuff.

Stuff if Colorado is extremely expensive. I guess it is most places, but it's pretty bad here.

Would you buy another persons groceries?

i almost bought a lady gas a few years ago. i think she put a few dollars in
i still think about it and wish i did.
next time i wont hesitate to do it.

the right circumstances with out a doubt.
i could tell the lady above did not have money.

[KNS]

Haven't encountered it at the grocery store.

Several months ago I was buying tires at Discount Tire. I was out in the parking lot about to drive my car in and a young kid next to me was speaking with a store clerk. The clerk said all his tires were bald and he needed four news ones. They were, indeed, bald. The kid said he could only afford two tires.

I walked inside and paid for two more tires for him.

[rusnak]

Hasn't happened to me either. I pay people to do my grocery shopping.

Ha, just kidding. I really pay people to bring me food that's already cooked.

[KFC911]

There are a lot of "good people" on this board ...

I can also recall just discretely slipping a "down & out person" a folding bill as I reached out to shake their hand... and they weren't asking. But I never given anything to the ones that are prevalent at many intersections now.

I trust my spidey senses.... and if I'm wrong... so what .

As JW sang.... "Life's been good to me so far..."

But I've never gone 185

[masraum]

People at the store with a declined card and kids. I'm going to say that's a total scam. Does it / could it happen to good honest people, sure. Is it far more likely that someone brought in a card that they know doesn't work and their kids to setup a scam to get good honest people to pay for some groceries, yes, sadly, I think that's more likely.

I've had people try to scam me with a story like the following about half a dozen times. "My wife/husband and son/daughter are XXX miles away stranded with a broken down car. I'm almost out of gas and don't have any money for more gas"

[Seahawk]

I have in the past but it is rare here.

I do tip the fast food folks working the window, especially at the Honduran place that makes everything while you wait in the car. Incredible food.

It is no accident they have some of the nicest, cutest young ladies working the window:

Well, East Coast girls are hip
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls, with the way they talk
They knock me out when I'm down there

The Midwest farmers' daughters really make you feel all right
And the Northern girls, with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night

I wish they all could be Central
I wish they all could be Central
I wish they all could be Central American girls

And yes, I am an old lecher, eyeball liberty only...

[OK-944]

I’ve done this on a couple of occasions, but…for a grocery cart full of Mountain Dew, ice cream, chips, cheese doodles and donuts? Not to mention the Bud Lights and cigarettes? I see this all too frequently at our local supermarket, and sadly the aforementioned grocery cart is, all too often, presided over by a young family…all of whom look unhealthy and over-stressed.

This breaks my heart…and I just want so desperately to call these parents to attention, and to lay out for them some of the healthy alternatives that, for the same money, they could be providing for themselves and their kids. Then again, I don’t want to get shot (seriously)!

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by T77911S

i almost bought a lady gas a few years ago. i think she put a few dollars in
i still think about it and wish i did.
next time i wont hesitate to do it.

the right circumstances with out a doubt.
i could tell the lady above did not have money.

When I was in my teens, I pulled into the gas station with my 240Z on empty and realized I did not have my wallet. A woman asked me how much I needed for gas and I said five dollars. She gave it to me and told me where she worked. I brought her the five dollars back the next day.

I’ve not been presented with the opportunity to pay for somebody’s groceries, etc. but have thought about it if it presents itself.

Back in the 80s, I was filling up my car and a guy asked for money for food. I gave him five or $10 and I said don’t go buy beer. As I continue to fill up, I watched him go right to the beer cooler and get beer. That was the last time.

Edit. One of our trade contractors had a worker that I had known for years. He asked for $100 to help him tide him over until payday. I gave it to him and took a picture of him holding the hundred dollar bill, laughing. I never saw him again.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Back in the 80s, I was filling up my car and a guy asked for money for food. I gave him five or $10 and I said don’t go buy beer. As I continue to fill up, I watched him go right to the beer cooler and get beer. That was the last time.

This is why I don't give to panhandlers. They are in the situation they're in because of bad decisions. Even if this man had not bought beer with your money, your money would have made it possible for him to use other funds for buying schit he doesn't need. If my folks give me $1000 and say it's only to be spent on rent, great! That frees up the other money I was going to spend on rent to now spend on booze and smokes.

In Phoenix there are beggars on every single street corner and highway on/off ramp. It's worse than what I saw on my first visit to Juarez. They are there because they know people will continue to enable their bad decisions.

[stevej37]

About 10 years ago, when I was working in an office with four others, a 20 yo or so came running into our office. He said he was late for work and ran out of gas...needed cash.
I had a $10 bill in my wallet and gave it to him.

The other workers just laughed and said I would never see that $10

About a month later, the same guy walked in and returned the money.
Generally...people are honest.

[fintstone]

I used to help out folks…and it was almost always a scam. They are prevalent as Nigerian Princes with money to send you on the internet. I have met people that play that scam (where they are short on money every time they buy anything). They may not score every time…but trying is free and they don’t have to pay taxes on what they get.

[stevej37]

knowing that you have truly helped a person out ...is worth losing money to a few swindlers.

[Rick Lee]

I just don't get how it's truly helping a person out. Even if it does, you have no way of knowing it and just have to believe it to feel good.

[stevej37]

^^^ post #32

[john70t]

I've been helped out in the past, and still try to do the same in small amounts.
These days I've become a bit more apprehensive.

Pay for a $300 cart of twinkies and gatoraide? Nope.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I just don't get how it's truly helping a person out. Even if it does, you have no way of knowing it and just have to believe it to feel good.

I've always appreciated free beer ...made me feel good too .

Other than buying a few meals (when asked), I have never given to anyone asking for $$$. When I slip someone a folded bill that wasn't expecting or asking for anything....

.... what Steve said

They call me Sucker II....

and that's OK.

[stevej37]

^^^ same here...except I don't want any of that watery crap. I always ask for 'Dirty Bastard' at the bare mininum if they are buying.
'Backwoods Bastard' is better yet.

[KFC911]

^^^^ Hey bartender... give this picky Bastard a beer!

Hey Rick... how many times have you bought a total stranger a beer without them asking ?

That's the way I see it....

"It's better to receive than to give" too .... who started that other lie ?