Friday, February 27, 2009

Was I Scammed?

I recently went back to work - for a number of reasons - because I like to be busy, because I am interested in my work, and because, given the economy, it's a fall back if anything happens to my husband's job.

At any rate, I was driving to work the other day. As I came up off the ramp from I-95 there was a woman near tears. She said she had broken down on 95 and needed the train fare to get home. She needed $15. I opened my wallet and gave her everything I had - $8.

I told my husband about it, and he laughed and said I had been scammed. Well, that may be, but I would rather be scammed than ignore a request for help because I was afraid it might not be true.

I wholly subscribe to the idea:

"I shall pass this way but once. Therefore if there is any good that I can do Or kindness I can show to any living being, Let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, For I shall not pass this way again."

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm a sucker for that. If it ever happened to you, you would hope that someone would be not cynical and willing to help you out.

I'm my father's daughter in that regard - he's just as bad. I like to think we see the world in a different light.

Andrea said...

I totally agree. I said the exact same thing to Philip. Funny how differently people see things.

freshie (and zero) said...

Mmm.. you were totally scammed by what sounds like a pretty good actress. I've heard that story so many times that I'm completely jaded.

There are a lot of panhandlers in Nashville and the only way to help them is to help the organizations that help them. A friend of mine works closely with homeless people - she has worked at the local mission for years and she told me to never give them money because it really doesn't help them. Sad!

Andrea said...

Maybe. But I felt like I had to help in case she really did need help... I would hate for people to drive by me without helping if I ever needed assistance. I guess if it is a scam, that is why it is effective.

Evie's Tool Emporium said...

It is the small gestures in life that are the most appreciated!
Michelle-