So it's been quite a week and I haven't blogged in over a week. I'm so sorry if any of you have been checking in for my long absence. Last weekend I went to Leetown, WV for work - driving down Friday and back Saturday.
I was driving my new car - sunroof open, radio blaring, having a grand old time. The countdown to empty on my tank said I had 80 miles of gas left - this should be about 2.75 gallons and I think no problem so I cruise on by an exit with a station and before I hit the next exit it changes - now it says LOW FUEL and the red light is on - WHAT? So the very next exit there is a sign for a BP station and I get off, of course it's not right off the highway but around a twisty little road up on the top of a mountain. I pull in, sunroof still open, radio still blaring and as I pull up to the pump a college age boy approaches me. He looks so crestfallen - tells me that he and his friends got lost and now they are out of gas and trying to get home and could I spare a few dollars. Normally I do not fall for this type of ploy but I was in a good mood, the smallest bill I had was a ten and I decided what the heck good kharma and all so I gave it to him. He thanked me profusely and I got out of my car to start pumping my own gas, and watched him run over to his car fully expecting him to start pumping $10 worth into his car, but nope...
The little bastard gets in and squeals tires out of there with his friend whooping in the car. So I feel like a total sucker, and they probably bought a 12 pack of some cheap nasty beer. :( I hope the kharma bus ran over them on their way wherever they were going.
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9 comments:
That sucks! I hate it when that happens to me, because I *know* they're running a scam, but if I have any extra money, I get so guilt ridden, because what if they're telling the truth?
Heh ... I'm usually not bothered by that kind of nonsense because I have 2 kids in tow and I look like I might eat one just to make the load lighter. That, and I almost never carry cash. I'd buy the gasoline perhaps, but I'd want them to clean my windows while I pump it.
*shakes head* Sometimes it's hard to still be generous.
But I get suckered too. You've doubled your Karma there since you didn't drive after them and put 'em into the wall. LOL.
Eh, I've done it. Once I was on a train and a woman got on and tearfully told some story about how her purse got stolen and she needed to get home. I figured I could live without the $5 but I'd feel bad if it was true. I've had enough people bail me out in a jam over my life so I figured it was an investment in later good fortune either way.
I should have offered to put some gas in their car with my credit card. Ah well, I did have good intentions. Only been stranded without gas or money once when riding with a friend while in college and it's not fun, definitely not fun. But yeah I hope they actually do run out of gas and no one helps them. Peckerheads.
See, I have a totally different viewpoint about this - ever seen the movie 'Les Miserables'? I'm sure the play is equally profound, but I've only seen the movie. If you haven't seen it, you should rent it and you'll see where I'm coming from. I don't always give money, but I do fairly often and I'm sure I've been "suckered" -- but even so, I firmly believe that if someone has any bit of something in them worth salvaging, they'll be encouraged by my generosity when compared to the cold shoulder they get by most cynical people (the majority of the world). Sometimes all it takes is one or more incidents that restore your faith in mankind for you to buckle up and do what you need to do at some point soon. And for those that can't be helped? Well, I can afford $10. And if they're that "turned", they need it more than I do anyway. I can only pity them, not feel they took advantage of *me*. You did the right thing!
You probably saved some poor, little old lady the agony of giving the little bastids HER last 2 bucks! There, I've reframed the event for you...but they're still bastids!
Linda D. in Seattle
Oh I won't let these guys ruin my generous spirit. I was the one always getting yelled at for giving money to the homeless when in downtown Cincinnati. People told me they would just buy booze or drugs with it. My take was - well if that's what takes their mind off the horrible situation they live in so be it. It's not as if me giving the poor wino on the corner $20 is enough for him to start a new life, so if he bought some dinner and a bottle of $5 screwtop wine - so what?
Karma is gonna give those kids a flat tire.
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