When I come to think of it, should I extended my hands help?

United States
January 21, 2012 3:05pm CST
Last night, while I was on my way home, I stop at the gas station fill up the gas before I go on. My friends were in my car too. There was suddenly a Hispanic guy come on over and ask for help. I guess that he spoke a little bit of English, and ask me if I can let him borrow $8.00, because his sister was in accident at the nearby, and he is out of money at the moment. I told him that I didn't have any cash, and he also asked my friends who sat in my car, they all shake their heads. We all assumed that he is lying, because there were a lot of such con artists around. While I was driving home, I think to myself, what if he was telling the truth, and I didn't give him a help, did I done a bad thing? If he was telling a lie, that is different story. That just quite a dilemma for me. Have you ever thought about it?
3 people like this
7 responses
• United States
22 Jan 12
No I would not of extended my hand with any help to the man. That is a common scam here to be approached by someone. We've had people ask us to buy tools from their trunk so they could get their car fixed.... but then why are they parked at a grocery store? How did your car get to the grocery store lot? Then ya got the guy cruising thru Chuck E Cheese parking lot the other year begging people for $5 for gas money. But yet he was driving around the lot, now if I was running out of gas I'd be on foot begging not harassing people from my van that was "low on gas". My Aunt was with and told him off and he had a few choice words for her bout being a mean old witch ect. When I don't have gas to go any where I STAY HOME!
@cttolledo (5460)
• Legaspi, Philippines
22 Jan 12
In a situation like that, i never hesitate to give, and i didn't bother to think whether he/she is lying or not its up to him/her if he/she lied , god knows how to punish him/her.. I never hesitate to extend help because i believe that it is my moral obligation to do it.
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
21 Jan 12
yes I understand how you feel, it is a big problem, to give or not to give, for there are so many scammers out there and yet it is a horrible thought if someone was really in need, I don't know the answer to this problem but it is a big problem all over the world and it is not going to get any better as people are going to be in need with this financial climate, I feel so sorry that the world is like this ...so sad.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Jan 12
kingparker in a situation like that I would get my friends to go with me and see for ourselves if he has a sister who was in an accident nearby and if it proved true instead of giving money you could call the paramedics. The reason I said this is because this is common in our area for a Hispanic to accost someone at say a mini mall or gas pumps and ask for money for a story about an accident If this is a lie and you go with this Hispanic In all likelihood he has a cohort gang member awaiting and the two of them will overpower you,take any money and valuables you have, then pick on your friends too. so do not take any chances. too many are thieves and worse gang members
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
25 Jan 12
I think you did the right thing. I have encountered this before myself. I know we also do not know if they are telling the truth or not. But we do have to protect ourselves. It could have been a con job. So, don't feel bad about it.
• Philippines
22 Jan 12
we kn0w u feel bad...if he saying truth...but nevermind the things what happen 2 you...to be m0ve on
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
22 Jan 12
It is a difficult situation, because if the person really needs help I would definately want to help him or her, on the other hand there are many scammers who take advantage of kind people who want to help. In that situation I usually trust my intuition. I follow my impression of the person in front of me. Sometimes I sense that he or she is telling the truth because of the way that they talk or act and sometimes I get the feeling that they are telling me a lie.