Jerky Jerk Jerk!

Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 13, 2016 7:52am CST
I feel like a complete ass this morning... I am sitting down kicking myself for being such a jerk! I come up the elevators this morning and I start walking to my office and this women walks right in front of me and stops. In a raspy voice she said " can I ask you something" I just stared at her. She eventually says she is homeless and wants to know if I can help her get something to eat. My first initial reaction was sorry I cant and walked away. I get inside my office and start swearing at myself calling myself all kinds of names. Maybe I should of just bought her a sandwich but I didn't have cash on me, I suppose I could of used my card. What a jerk I am ! Jeff was just talking about his homeless story on here and he had the perfect response but it is so hard these days to distinguish between a real homeless person and one that is just playing homeless. I could of made her day or I could be taken advantage of, I guess I will never know.
19 people like this
18 responses
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
13 Apr 16
I don't think you were a jerk. Sometimes one just doesn't know. I will not give money but I have bought food for the homeless. Next time buy some food you will feel better.
3 people like this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
I should of thought about that, that she was only asking for food not money..grr
2 people like this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
13 Apr 16
These days, one never knows who they are dealing with. You are not a jerk.
3 people like this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
@marlina Thanks and yes I know. Thats kinda whats keeping me in check here
1 person likes this
@quantum2020 (12040)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
13 Apr 16
I´´ll give you a clue! If this woman was skinny and pale on her face, then she would surely need something to ingest, but if she was of a normal complexion, then, you don´t have to worry. She has been getting something to eat, either from a church or from one of those places that feed homeless people.
@quantum2020 (12040)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
13 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 In my hometown, there is a community of homeless people. I have visited the instalation where they are fed and, believe me. They eat better food than I do. They´re skinny but healthier than you and me. They usually don´t have to deal with the pressures you and me and other people who have an occupation do. They get much of their energy from the sun and of idleness. (stored nutrients in their body)
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
@quantum2020 That actually sounds great to me, in a hot place with your belly full all the time without the stress or worry of normal every day life
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
Not to sound bad but I couldnt tell she was a darker black and she seemed or normal size not too skinny though
1 person likes this
@MGjhaud (23171)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
i'll feel bad too.. probably i'll make it up to her next time we see each other again.
1 person likes this
@MGjhaud (23171)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 haha i am not me when im hungry too but hey.. theres always next time. how about helping two homeless people next time to make up for the one missed earlier..?
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
@MGjhaud I would like to help out at a soup kitchen or something with my kid. I think that would make us appreciate what we have especially him because he takes a lot of things for granted
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
I dont know what I would do If I was homeless and hungry that is a tough position to be in. I would probably be like a rabid dog because I turn into a monster when I am hungry, crabby and short with people
1 person likes this
@LdeL0318 (6402)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
If it's something to eat that she's asking for then she's probably really homeless. If it's money she's asking for then that's something you should doubt.
1 person likes this
@LdeL0318 (6402)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 but don't make it too hard on yourself. It happened already, you'll know what to do next time.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
I know and I have been thinking about that since it happened this morning...
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
@LdeL0318 For sure its best to focus on the future rather than the past :-)
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
13 Apr 16
It can easily happen as such things don't happen that often. at least next time hopefully you will know how to respond.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
Possibly. I normally carry some kind of breakfast bar on me and I had nothing If I had something in my purse I would of given it to her
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
13 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 True. I am hoping I would react positively in that situation but not sure until it happens.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
@gudheart They always seem to catch you at the worst moments and it is always unpredictable.
• Westland, Michigan
13 Apr 16
I live in a big city and I work 1 hour 15 minutes each way to work and I see homeless people all the time. It is tough who you should help and who is going to use your money for something else. Once a month, I will give food or clothing from my car on the way home. There is a lady that is always at a certain corner everyday and she does not bother anyone and just stands with a sign. I never give the people cash and I always give them either clothing or food. Yes, they could sell the clothing or food to someone to get money for something bad, but I take my chances. The real problem is going to work and home, I usually see 10-12 homeless people a day. It is tough.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
@mypointsju I might if she is still here, I will bring my nummy protein bars
• Westland, Michigan
13 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 Then maybe bring some food tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
15 Apr 16
Don't be so hard on yourself. We all do dumb things sometimes. You could get a gift card for a local grocery store and keep an eye out for her and give her the card. I'll be God will put her in your path again so you can apologize and give it to her.
• United States
15 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 You're right, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
15 Apr 16
I didnt do anything dumb by any means. I shouldnt be guilted into helping someone. If I am going to do it, its because I want to
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
13 Apr 16
So sorry to hear that. You will feel very awful for a long time. Since this woman just asks for something to eat, she might be a homeless person. I hope that you will meet her again, and make it up to her. At least you will feel much better.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
13 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 This time you are caught unprepared. Next time just ask if a burger is ok with them. If they accept, just buy a burger and a coffee, and you would have feel much better about it.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
I dont think I will feel bad for a long time, its just a quick kick in the pants I gave myself and I dont feel like I have to make anything up to no one to be honest. Maybe some day I will be a little more forth coming with them
1 person likes this
@kellyr634 (416)
• United States
13 Apr 16
Don't feel bad! Sounds a little fishy to me anyway. Seems like she would be at the door and not upstairs in the building.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
I know right?
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
13 Apr 16
Please don't beat yourself up for this. Woulda Coulda Shoulda. She took you by surprise. Next time, be prepared to help someone. Keep your eyes open for the next opportunity and make a difference. Or maybe you'll even see her again!
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
Very well put Thank you :-)
1 person likes this
@paigea (35701)
• Canada
24 May 16
There are other ways to help. Give to the food bank, etc. No need to feel bad
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
24 May 16
Yeah I am pretty much over that incident lol, I have though given out a breakfast bar to a guy on the corner near the freeway last week
1 person likes this
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
Don't think about it too much. I think, it's alright with her. I mean, she must've understood that you just can't do it that time... How about a small treat when you meet her again?
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
That is a very good possibility.
1 person likes this
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
13 Apr 16
@Castlerock34 so just relax and take it easy... don't go telling yourself that you've done something so wrong :)
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43427)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
13 Apr 16
Don't feel bad. That wasn't your moment. There will be another opportunity. Give twofold next time.
1 person likes this
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
13 Apr 16
I think I should start carrying protein bars in my car and in my purse. I would like to see I made someones day
@Wavy7777 (19)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Apr 16
Girrrrl do not feel bad especially if you did not have any cash. However, yes god would rather you help but if you did not have any money then you cant and he understands that. It's ok to me;as long as you wanted you wanted to help. You'll be fine don't worry! Youll always have another opportunity to help someone else.
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
15 Apr 16
I am sure I will have a lot of opportunities coming up they are all over the place around here. I just have to pluck out the ones that actually need it versus the bad ones. I do feel much better about the situation after talking with all of you. Thank you :-)
@Drosophila (16573)
• Ireland
13 Apr 16
You can always make up for it by donating $3 or so to a charity box
• Otis Orchards, Washington
13 Apr 16
About 5 years ago I was in a grocery store parking lot loading groceries into my car when a man approached me. He carried a broken fan belt. I took one look at the fan belt and knew it was cut. Then he told me this elaborate story about how he was from out of town and the fan belt on his car broke. His wife and 5 kids were sitting in his car a couple of blocks away. Now he needed money to buy a new belt and gas to get home. I thought for a minute trying to decide whether to poke holes in his story or give him money. I decided to give him the money. Why? Because we were in a recession at the time but I was making good money. I decided the guy could have been out of work and needed the money. The other reason was I got a real kick out of his story and figured it was worth at least a few bucks.
@destimona (1910)
• Luxembourg, Luxembourg
14 Apr 16
It happens sometimes.
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
13 Apr 16
You never know who needs the help and who doesn't. Don't kick yourself! Maybe you'll get another chance to help her - or just to help someone else.