(no subject)

[christopher575]

I went to the bagel shop on the way to the gym yesterday. They sell bags of day-old bagels, three for a dollar, so I go every five or six days and get two bags. I didn't have any cash, though, so I took a roll of nickels. On my way down Pine, a guy holding a gas can started waving at me from about 15 feet away. I pulled out my earbud and he said something about running out of gas and needing money. I would have said, "Sorry, but I had to roll up some change just to be able to eat breakfast this week," but as I opened my mouth he was somehow able to sense that I was going to say no and kept walking.

I think the reason he was able to tell I was going to say no is that he does this a lot. Maybe even all the time.

I've seen this before. There's a guy who goes around downtown in a suit with a gas can asking for money, and I've seen him doing it twice. If there's anything I really hate, it's people taking advantage of other people's willingness to help out. If I ever see the suit guy again, I'm going to follow him and yell that he's lying every time he tries to talk to someone.

But there's something that bothers me even more about this scam. Honestly, why would anyone who drives a car just suddenly be downtown and broke, and what percentage of actual car owners keep a gas can in the car?

Here's a nickel's worth of free advice for everyone: If you can afford to own, park, insure, and maintain a car, and normally keep it filled with gas, you can also afford to keep an extra few bucks hidden in the car if you're stupid enough to run out of gas. You shouldn't be out driving around without cash or a debit card. Where are you trying to get to, anyway? And isn't downtown in the middle of the day a weird time to be out of gas? It'd be more believable if it wasn't, you know, somewhere so crowded and full of people to lie to.

I'm pretty sure if you're walking around asking for gas money, you're a liar. And if you aren't, you're pretty stupid and I don't feel sorry for you.

Comments

[hildeaux.livejournal.com]

*applause*

[popcultureicon.livejournal.com]

it's also kinda gross because he probably gets more money now that gas is $5 a gallon.

[gower-power.livejournal.com]

You rule.

I had a guy pull the "I'm gonna be towed and all I need is $2.50 to make it even". Right. I politely asked to see where he was parked. He just turned around and kept walking. Douche.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha.

[pixiespage.livejournal.com]

it has been my experience if you are really out of gas you are wearing high heels a skirt and look like you are going to rip the fuckin face off the next person who asks you if you are out of gas.

but that's just me

[scearley.livejournal.com]

I keep a gas can in the car.

However, I also have credit cards.

[moonrock.livejournal.com]

there is also a guy in he very same area that I had an encounter with (and at least one other person said the same) that is dressed up in a suit and carries a business card from someone at Swedish claiming that he is in town getting cancer treatment for his mother and they nerd gas money. He want as far as giving a reason that their cards were cancelled or frozen somehow as well. It is so sad that it wasn't possible to believe the guy. Ugh.

[muriel-puce.livejournal.com]

What about the guy the other day who just moved here from Olympia and whom I just gave $5 so he could pay for his insulin? Total scam?

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think he was probably telling the truth. But he should have planned his move better and deserves to DIE.

[gomezticator.livejournal.com]

Preying upon people's sympathy is the key market force of the beggar.

This is why the answer should always be no. Always. This city's got services and charitable entities out the wazoo. Any downtrodden bum with any sense or attention span should be able to get help if they REALLY want it and need it. A lot of them don't... and a lot of beggars are running a scam.

The easiest way to lose my respect is for me to see you respond to a beggar's pitch and give the guy change. You have to have more sense than that in this town. This is a mecca for bums.

[cattycritic.livejournal.com]

Well I guess it's good I don't really care about or need your respect. I respectfully disagree with refusing to ever give money to beggars. Yes, I know they are lying most of the time. It's my money and I'll do as I please with it.

[gomezticator.livejournal.com]

That's neat and of course you can do whatever you want with your money and all... but why do you do it?

[nicolemarieh.livejournal.com]

chris and i have both given gas money to someone one time, but for his situation and mine they were kids (lol dumb kids) and they were AT the gas station, in a smaller town and not running around in the middle of downtown.

the time i did it, i was behind the guy in line and i saw the checker turn him down, but i didnt catch why. i paid and went out and then he asked me if he could have a few dollars because he was almost out of gas, and they wouldnt take his checks because they were brand new. yeah right, right? i didnt believe him, but because i had just gotten off my waitressing shift and had a pocket full of cash i handed him a 10 and told him to have a good night. he was super grateful and wrote me one of his checks for $10... i wasnt going to deposit it because i was scared it would bounce but then i took it to the bank and it was good after all! so he'd been telling the truth, and i got my $10 back. so i felt really good about helping him then. i wouldnt have done it i dont think if he hadn't looked about 16 and like he really did just get checks and all that.

i wasnt with chris when his thing happened but i guess it relatively similar. i dont remember now but pretty sure they werent lying either. anyway my point to all this was like youre saying, their situations just seem sketchy and dont make sense. for my situation at least i felt it made sense, and the guy had a look on his face like he was sure i was going to say no which i think partially contributed to me giving it to him. if he had acted at all self-righteous instead of apologetic i would have shut the car door in his face.

[nobora.livejournal.com]

I see that guy all the time. He hangs out at off ramp from Aurora at 46th street , and KNOCKS on car doors to ask for the cash! no no!

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Yeah, everyone in this city has a debit or credit card, or at least a few dollars in cash. If you leave home without any of these things, you're an idiot. Some other idiot can help you out.

[wring.livejournal.com]

preach it sistah!

[filarabit.livejournal.com]

I don't even have a gas can in my car, and you know me... I'm ready to camp! :P

[monkeytoes77.livejournal.com]

We have the "someone stole my purse and I only need $4 to get the metra home" scam. So. Annoying.