So yesterday this guy comes to me asking for money and tells me his sob story.

He, his wife, his kids, and his sister ran out of gas down the road. He just needs a little bit of money to get some gas to get back on the road. The rest of the family is still in the car waiting on him to come back with some gas.

All would have been fine had this SAME guy not told me this SAME story a couple of months ago across the street at the CVS. That time I gave him $5.00. Wasn't really sure if his story was true at the time, but I figured shame on him for lying if he was. At least I was trying ot help someone. Well now I know he was lying. And I told him yesterday that he had already used that story on me, and he needed to either change up his story or at least remember who he cheated in the past.

Oh well, what can you do? I could have pulled a Sniffa I guess! :P

Wow how strange, are you in Mass? A guy told me his car had run out of gas and he needed a few bucks for a gas can, he was embarrassed and his wife and kid were in the car. I didn't have money on me at the time so told him Sorry and he kept walking. Two weeks later (about a week ago) I was walking down the street when the SAME GUY came up to me and told me, again, his car had run out of gas and if I could spare a couple of bucks, his wife was in the car...LOL I told him "You told me the same thing a couple of weeks ago man" and he replied "No..for real..." and I told him I had no money and kept walking.

The guy actually seemed embarrassed. He said thanks and quickly walked away.

Wow how weird though...

It behooves a person begging for money to come up with the most effective story possible. If that same person knows that you don't really care about his actual situation, and thinks that your only contact will be seconds in duration, he has no reason not to embellish or lie.

twice, in different months. His story was the same both times. His girlfriend had dumped him at the rest stop, and driving off with his wallet in the car and he just needed some money for a taxi.

might need help, and figures this is the best story ... has worked in the past.

You have no obligation to give him anything; you helped him before and that was really nice. He probably wouldn't be asking for money if he had a job or really didn't need it. It's not like that's a fun thing to do on a Thursday afternoon, ask strangers for a few bucks.

:shrug:

be honest. Honesty gets you a long way. One time a guy asked me for $5 to buy a nickel bag. I gave it to him. I figured at least he was being honest. He obviously didn't need the money. It really didn't matter anyway. I didn't have any money on me to give this guy. I did mention that the Salvation Army is less than a mile up the road, and they give out gas vouchers, even though I am quite sure he didn't need gas.

I pulled into the station and there was a guy hanging around the entry door. I stayed in my car a few seconds just observing him. He pulled five or six bills out of his pocket and counted them. I got out and got my gas, then started walking in the building to pay. He stopped me and asked me for a few bucks, telling me he needed gas to get home and all he had was change. I told him I just saw him pull bills out of his pocket and count them. He denied it. I looked him straight in the eye and said "I SAW YOU DO IT." Then he just grinned. As I was walking out of the station he tried to stop me again, then realized it was me and started laughing.

I probably would have given him something if he hadn't lied, that pissed me off.

I guess usually you can't be sure if you are being lied to. I just try to do the right thing. And if I get cheated, then at least I can sleep at night knowing that I tried to help someone. But if you are blatantly lying then you won't get shit from me.

A girl knocked on her door and asked for gas money and said she would pay her back. My mother, a trusting soul, gave her $10 and, of course, the girl never came back.

it's kind of sad - any type of story like that -about needing a few bucks for gas or busfare, tends to make me a bit suspicious since I've heard it said so many times.

Except it was a flat tire and he needed a can of 'Fixaflat' at the hardware store. I said the same thing you did; that the guy needed to get a new story. To which he replied "Me? I just want to know what time it is."

A woman was going car to car, crying, saying she ran out of gas down the street asking if I had a gas can and money for gas. I didn't have one, but when I offered to buy one, get a couple gallons of gas, and put it in her car, she refused saying I didn't look trustworthy. I wonder if she was trying pull a scam?