Sign of the times...begging for gas

[LouDawg]

Well, I've had beggars ask for money, food, drinks, etc. But today, I had a guy come up to me while I was filling up my car at a high-volume gas station. He had a small, empty gas can with him and just walked from pump to pump asking the motorists if they could "spare some gas", beginning with me.

I told him, "Not today, man." He just politely said thanks, have a good day, and moved on to the next guy.

I wonder if this is a scam or if he was really that hard up. He was driving an older Kia minivan, which didn't look trashed by any stretch. I envisioned him having a bigger gas can in the back that he'd just fill up with his smaller one. Then he'd potentially never have to pay for gas.

Anyone else had this happen?

 

[Mr Nice]

This same thing happened to me last year when I was at a Race Track gas station not to far from the Dolphins Traning Camp.

I gave the guy 25 cents.

 

[JTK]

Wow, that is different. I've been approached for 'spare change' while at the pump.

 

[benjamming]

Quote:

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I gave the guy 25 cents.

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Will they turn the pump on for that amount?

 

[drivewaytech]

I remember the good old days were guys would ask for money to buy gas so they could buy beer. I gave a guy 5 bucks one time because I thought he was sincere. He took the five and walked across the street to the liquor store. No shame in his game I guess. Now gas is more expensive then cheap beer. That same guy today would have probably used the 5 bucks for gas!!!

 

[ThirdeYe]

Don't feel bad driveway, I did the same thing! Except I was dumb enough to give $15! Never again... I don't know if he bought booze with it or not but after I stopped to think about it I bet that's what happened.

 

[Mr Nice]

Quote:

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Will they turn the pump on for that amount?

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I doubt......but if 6 people give the guy 25 cents, he can buy a half gallon of gas.

 

[Aldaris]

Beggars are beggars. If they had any sense they would help themselves. Most legitimate people who are genuinely in a bind will find a way to get back on their feet quickly and STOP BEGGING.

Begging is a scam, has been forever. Forget the love they neighbor nonsense.

 

[Kestas]

Food and shelter is one thing. But if you have to beg for gas, you can't afford to drive. I say scam.

 

[Gary Allan]

Not a bad con. I little squirt here and there from the rotating clientèle.

When we were just dating, Joyce and I were in D.C. visiting an in the beltway friend of mine. A street drunk walked up and asked us for a dollar for a cup of coffee. My friend said that he wouldn't give him a dollar for a cup of coffee ..but if he'd use it to buy a bottle of Richard's ...that was another story.

 

[BGK]

If he was legit, he would be putting the gas directly into the Kia NOT into a gas can. Anyone that can't really afford gas shouldn't be driving; that's what mass transit is primarily intended for.

 

[Lonnie]

I gave a grubby woman and her infant $100 and felt good about it. That weekend there was a story about a woman and an infant. They dressed the part and begged for money. The news reporter followed her around. Turns out she has a new car and a condo. She gave up a job as a court reporter because begging paid better. No that she was outed you'd think she would do something else, but the next week I saw here at the same spot, as someone stopped and gave her some bills. My wife told me that my part of the deal was all that mattered. I did it for the right reasons and not to go ask her for my money back. I would not be worth the effort.

 

[nixon]

Years ago i was stopped by a man asking for enough work to get Him ,and His family to Atlanta. I was the foreman for a construction company in Montgomery , Al . I just told Him to follow Me to the gas station where I had an account,filled His tank,got His kids and wife some food ,and sent them on their way . Was I conned ? Don't know,and don't care . The cost never made an impact on Me finacially. But I hope it helped out that family .

 

[Shannow]

nixon, that's the way to go.

This town is full of buskers, most of which only come out on fine days, or sunny winter's afternoons.

'cept one guy, who plays halfway decent music...at -2C, in the sleet and the snow, he's out any time. I give him a few bucks here and there.

 

[drivewaytech]

As humans, it's good to help those in need. No doubt we will get conned once in a while, but not finacially crippled, just like Nixon stated. With over 13 years involved in a homeless ministry, I have seen the good and the bad from those that beg for money as a way to make a living/support an addiction to those that beg to make it another day. It warms the heart to meet and help people that have recently found themselves confined to living on the streets. Those people appreciate the help and take the oppurtunity to pick themselves up. They usually have not given up on themselves or humanity to lend a hand. These days (as apposed to when I was younger) if I'm asked for spare change, I reply with a question. "What kind of a change are you looking for?" If I had lost all and needed to get my family to another state where a relative could help us or work could be found....well. Offering to put gas in a car or offering to buy a sandwich and drink will usually ward off the scammers because they just want cash. By the way, standing on a street corner begging or at a gas station all day is not easy work, deserves minimun wage at least.

 

[Shannow]

drivewaytech...your post (the part regarding the scammers only wanting cash) got me thinking about the way charities (down here at least) are starting to behave.

St Vinnies used to pride themselves in being able to provide those less well off with clothes, furniture, kitchen equipment etc.

Recently, when you offer them used furniture etc. they tell you that they don't want goods anymore, they just want cash donations.

When they were offered all of the furniture in my gran's house, they cherry picked the things they cold sell, and left the rest.

At least the local used goods merchant pays in the first place, takes everything, then vacuums the house when it's empty.

Are the charities becoming scammers ? (in some ways, I think so, as they become bureaucracies)

 

[drivewaytech]

We experience at times alot of donations of clothes or furniture, ect. coming in to a point that we can't store it all. Hasn't happened much since Katrina though. Anouther thing is that a bulk of the items that come in are trash. Example: broken furniture, aplliances, toys. Alot of people will donate stuff to avoid the expense of going to the landfill, at which we will incur the expense. It can add up. Some charities are becoming scammers, sorry to say. You have to use your best judgement and do a little homework. I have been scammed many times, but it has not detered me from helping those truely in need.

 

[LouDawg]

Bah, humbug.

With all due respect, most of the people who are begging or living on the streets are doing so because of a conscious decision or series of decisions. There are plenty of opportunities out there for people who truly want to work. Is it going to be glamorous or high-paying? Probably not in most cases. Would it be enough to get them off the streets or at least begin to help them transition back into society? Yes, in most cases. IMHO, a very small percentage of people "living on the street", especially unattached males, are truly there because they have no other options. That's my opinion, cynical as it may be.

I'm quite happy to help someone if I know they are in need. But unless I know you or know your situation first-hand, then I'm going to assume you're scamming.

 

[Gary Allan]

My direct observations with the homeless show a high frequency of mental illness. Not that they're all crazy ...but not fully functional in any setting that's going to lead to a stable life. They make bad choices with others who make bad choices. Add drug addiction or alcoholism ..a not quite substantial enough disability

It would be hard for anyone with few skills and no family support to sustain themselves in this society in terms of housing, clothing, food ..and the almost absolute requirement of transportation. Add just a few personal "challenges" ..and it's easy to see how there's going to be those perpetually dwelling in the gutter.

Some can make it out. I watch a kid who was a former crack addict use the free services to get himself straightened out. Took low yield employment, got a room, got promoted ..but it was all with the help of clergy and their associates in the community. It doesn't work for everyone.

Now there are surely just plain old freeloaders that are willing to live out there on whatever the "free" market will provide.

 

[H2GURU]

Gary,
As the economy tightens you'll see more of this behavior as little guys get squeezed out. Up here the big scam is begging at major intersections in the city. With the newer KIA he must have car rich and cash poor?? Must be a lot of drive - offs as all cah payments are pre-pay only...a real pain in my ahhs.