"S" on my forehead for sucker??

[KubotaSteve]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

Richard,
Regardless of whether it was a scam or not, you did the right thing for the right reason which is all that should matter. If it wasn't a scam imagine how much you helped them out.
I work in Washington D.C. which is home to quite a few scam artists begging for money. They really focus on the high tourist areas. I get asked for money probably 10 times a day and that is only walking the half block to the metro and inside Union Station.
I don't think in your situation it was a scam as most people won't go to that much trouble for a few bucks. Most are like crooks in that they want quick easy money. I think they approached you because you were in a suit and tie which gives people a little bit more of a sense of security, especially if they were just robbed.
A friend of mine worked quite late in DC all the time and said he saw the same guy outside begging for money (dirty and scroungy looking) day after day. One evening he was looking out his office window and saw the guy look around the deserted street then proceed over to a brand new red BMW and drive away.

 

[Nasty135]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

Richard the "S" is for SAINT in your case!! (its the conditon of your heart, or your heart condition /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)


Kubotasteve, I spent 20 years in DC working and I have seen the scams from "Oh Hey like I know you" I live just down the street from your mother.... Un Huh!! whatever!!

The girl in the car (toyota corolla)pulls up next to the curb and ask do you any money to give her for gas because she has to get to virginia, I look in at the dash and it shows 1/2 tank " I told her she could go to west virginia if she wanted with that much gas ... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Another good one , An Older foreign woman pushing stroller with baby (her grandson) carries a note asking for money to feed the baby ,blah,blah,blah found out she lives in Georgetown.. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif...

 

[Richard]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I work in Washington D.C. which is home to quite a few scam artists begging for money )</font>

Aren't they called politicians? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Thanks all for the kind words and the words of concerns. I am still 50/50 on the answer. I can build it either way. He DID make (ironic) comment about having a tatoo under the very bandage that was on his neck. Talked about the sutures (sp?) ...

My memory went to one time when I was out of town (teenager, but had checking account). I went from Hamilton Ohio to Piqua Ohio to see my grandmother who was laid up in a hospital after having a stroke. I was running out of gas so pulled in, filled up... YIKES...no cash... I asked if I could write a check (which was good) answer was understandably "NO" so what am I to do...

Hotel 1/2 mile away, walked over & asked guy behind counter if they could cash check. Oh, it was a SUNDAY, so no banks open and no atm's back then.

He looked me over and said he couldn't as a hotel but if I wrote the check to him personally he would. Said he would want someone to help out HIS kid if his kid was ever in a jam so he agreed to give me some cash to pay for my gas.

My check of course, was good so he got a point for being a good guy!

Ironically, and something I didn't mention for fear of being called a scammers magnet...

After this happened (yesterday), I got back to office feeling fairly good. I was ONLY person at office and the door opened with some very loud jingling going on. I was on telephone so could not get up when a fairly young woman went ahead and just walked into my office. She was carrying some kind of trinkets that were making all the noise.

I knew she was soliciting so while staying on phone, I just sort of waived her away & she stood there... then she came closer trying to hand me a piece of paper. Although I did not see it, I'm SURE it was "Hi, I'm deaf/mute & made these trinkets to support........."

As I was finding it highly rude she helped herself to just walk on where she wanted to BUT not wanting to break my phone call for her I kept talking but gave her a clear look in the eye while pointing to our exit door and waived goodbye.

So perhaps any good karma I garnered with Mr. stabbed in neck, might have been spent with Mrs. Jingle Trinkets.

I found a bit of irony in how warm/receptive I was capable of being with the dude, and how cold/rejecting I was able to be with her literally 8 minutes later.

* I might add as a sidebar we get a LOT of soliciters just barging their way into our offices pushing anything from flowers, trinkets to a guy had a semi parked out front full of furniture... as though I was going to make a snap decision in 10 minutes on buying a living room suite.....

Point being made is, when these folks barge into my office, I'm a LOT less tolerant of their intrusiveness and can be quite clear & pointed on where they need to take themselves.

Guess I can be cold as a clam at times, or a big wussie at other times /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bedlam]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

I have to agree, you may never know. And for your money, you should feel good about it. If it was a scam. Hopefully sooner or later they would play it up more, and get caught for what it was.
I had an interesting one several years ago. I had a 68 Sears tractor in the Want Advertiser. I received a call from a guy who said he didn't want to buy it, but wondered if I had the manual. I told him "yes" and he asked if I could copy it and send it to him, He said he would pay for the copy charges. I went to the store and copied the entire thing, and made a folder and mailed it to him.Total cost about 8 dollars.
My friends told me I was nuts, but I would like someone to do the same for me if I should be in need of an outdated manual.
Anyway one, two three months goes by and nothing.One friend suggests we pay him a visit. I decided not to, It wasnt about the money anyway.
A year goes by, and I get a card in the mail. with a check for 15 dollars.The guy explains that he has been sick and in the hospital and didnt get around to responding.
To this day I give it the benefit of the doubt and take his word. He could however have felt guilty and made up the story. Or he could have just forgotten and after a year wanted a story.
The Important thing is that he did reply. Sure shocked me..
of cource a few years later I sold a trailer to two young guys, and they were 25 dollars short of the negotiated down price. They too said they would send it. Its been 18 years now.Dont think they will...LOL
Moral. If you did it. Feel good about it.Think how you would feel if you gave them the gas and then saw them approach someone else right after. Or gave cash and they went to the liquor store..Regardless, I feel good to know that you did the right thing.
Allan

 

[1bush2hog]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

AMEN!

 

[Jstpssng]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

After reading all the replies, I have to agree with those who feel you should go with your instincts. Hard luck or scam, does it really matter? You did what you felt was right, it won't keep food off your table or diesel from your tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Most importantly, you'll sleep good tonight knowing you did the right thing . The question is, "will they?"

 

[hobbyfarm]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

Richard,
I too vote - you did good!
Most of us have been approached similarly. Sometimes you are able to help and sometimes you can't.

I don't think I would say you are ready for the "S", in fact I would not play that at all.

You did Good!
That's enough. Don't beat yourself up, after all, everything is not a scam 100% of the time!

 

[gotrocks]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

<font color="blue"> S stands for Sympathetic </font>
Which to me is a very desirable trait in someone's character.
So if anyone asks tell them that.
For many years I have felt that the expression "if that had been me I would have....."
is very inaccurate. Now if the same identical thing has happened to that person then they could say "I've been there and this is what I did..."

If there is a cheerful giver and the recipient of a good deed is honest and grateful then all are blessed.
Does that make sense?

 

[Jagmandave]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

It was about 2 am on a rainy Sunday night, and my 18 yo daughter was driving her rusty, clapped out VW beetle home from DC when she ran out of gas, in the center median. She had no cell phone, and traffic was heavy enough that she couldn't get to the safer side of the road, so she sat in her car, hoping a hiway patrol would come along. About 10 min later a car pulls up behind her, and of course she's scared to death, but it turns out to be a woman who offers her a ride to a phone, where she can call her step dad to come help. Well, her step dad was none too happy about being called out of a nice warm bed at 2 am, but he drove the 60 miles or so round trip with a can of gas and got her going again...........(she really had no excuse for running out of gas, I had fixed her gas gauge the week before when I was in town visiting and it was working now!)

Moral of the story, you never know when you're going to have to rely on the kindness of strangers, so you hope that when it does happen, you have enough good karma stored up that you also have a happy ending.........

I think it was probably a scam, but who knows? Your instincts and heart were in the right place and I applaud you for that............

One other story....
Just a couple of years ago I was driving home from work on the hiway in my VW pickup and had a flat tire, I had a spare and jack and so on, and got the lug nuts off, but try as hard as I could I could not get the wheel off. Just then a young lady in an old VW beetle pulled up behind me and offered a ride. I was grateful as it was hot out, but I was surprised that a young girl would stop to help an older guy like me - she said she only stopped because I had a VW, so I must be ok!
She gave me a ride to my home, 20 miles away and when we got there I fixed her carb which was leaking gas all over the engine and sent her on her way with a heartfelt thanks. I also tried to explain that even tho I was grateful for her help, that what she did was not very smart, and that just because a guy drives a VW doesn't mean he's "safe".

I've usually subscribed to the "no good deed will go unpunished" theory, but here are two examples of good karma rewarded, so there must be something to it........

Here's hoping you're rewarded as well...........

 

[scesnick]

Re: \"S\" on my forehead for sucker??

Ricard,

It seems no one has even touched on the safety factor here. There are a ton of people every year that think they are doing a good deed and are never heard from again.
While I commend you for doing a good deed I do think it was kind of reckless.
I know If someone in my family came home and told me that happened to them I would ask them why in the world they didn't just get in the car and go.
I just don't think it is worth it in this day and age. I have had a gun to my head once and I hope it never happens to anyone here. It is truly terrifying !! However,
If it is someone I know or have even seen around quite a bit I would not hesitate to help in any way I can.