[kittygilchrist]

A guy scammed me for money once at a gas pump saying he was out of gas and needed money. stupidly not realizing he didn't likely coast to the pump on fumes, I forked over $$. Then he drove away without getting gas. I took his tag #, called 911 and followed him reporting his location until he was arrested. Police knew him well.

[kittygilchrist]

What to do, what to do?
take photo of license and her car, photo of her and kid.
report to law enforcement.

[maureenod]

What I don't understand is why you paid her bill. A manager should have been called over, have her step aside so others could proceed to pay their bill. Let the manager handle it. Thats her job.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by DougB

Yes, it was generous and nice of you. However, I am extremely disappointed in the manager who allowed a stranger to be out money instead of handling it him/herself. Steak and Shake should have "eaten" the bill before letting a customer.

I agree with all the posts re: how generous, etc. , but what you posted was the exact thought I had when I read the OP. I was surprised the manager did not handle, he/she could have handled by taking customer aside and working it out, i.e., get her phone number, name, tags....

[justjim]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

What to do, what to do?
take photo of license and her car, photo of her and kid.
report to law enforcement.

Frankly, who really knows what you would do in a like situation? OP was very generous. My guess is that this lady has a pretty good idea who might pickup her "tab" and who probably will not. Of course, she is occasionally wrong about that too. My morning paper stated that currently America has 47 million people on "food stamps". (it's not called that anymore....) That's a lot of Americans, many of which, would rather have somebody else pickup their Steak n' Shake tab so they can get some lotto tickets and Big Drink at the Circle K. What kind of impact does this have on the child with her? I suggest that this type of behavior is why it's so very difficult to break the on-going cycle of poverty. Disadvantage children need good role models and few are getting them.

[Bonnevie]

I worked in a hospital where the "homeless" would get themselves admitted by saying they were suicidal, but really just needed "three hots and a cot." They all freely told us how they panhandled and made about $100 a day which they spent on cigarettes and beer, so I admit to a high level of cynicism.

However, you were very kind to try to help the kid. Unfortunately, she's probably started the indoctrination that all us "rich" people owe them handouts.

[USSGompers]

Originally Posted by twheel

Today I ate breakfast at the Steak and Shake on 466. After my meal, I went to the register to pay. A woman approx 60 yrs old and a kid (grandkid?) about 10-11 yrs old cut in front of me.

She told the cashier that she forgot her $$ at home and asked if she could write a check. After being told that they do not accept checks, the mgr agreed to take one just this time. She left to go to the car and get her checkbook. With me still standing there. the kid was holding her place in line.

When she came back in she said that she didn't have her checkbook or and credit cards on her and just stood there in front of me.

I just wanted to pay and get out of there cause I use a cane and can't stand for any length of time before feeling like I will fall. so i said that i would pay for her check and it was about $12. i felt bad that the waitress got nothing.

As I pulled out, i was behind her on my way to get gas at the Circle K. She pulled in there too. I went in to pay for my gas and there she was paying cash for about 10 LOTTO scratch offs and a large fountain drink for the kid.

Okay, as I am reading this post again, I see that the OP is retired Air Force. Used to having to stand in lines for many of his 20 years. Now he has a cane and has trouble standing.

Watching the lady at the counter say she had no $$, getting the mgr, being okayed to write a check, leaving to get her checkbook in the car, the kid holding her place in line, her coming back saying she has no$$ or credit cards (really??? come on)...

He may have just said WTF- I need to get outta here before I fall down and thru down the money w/o thinking. Later, seeing them at the gas station... well- different story there.

I would have went up to her and said that I hoped she scratched a winner so she could pay me back. And I hope the kid gets fat drinking his 'Big Gulp'!!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by USSGompers

Okay, as I am reading this post again, I see that the OP is retired Air Force. Used to having to stand in lines for many of his 20 years. Now he has a cane and has trouble standing.

Watching the lady at the counter say she had no $$, getting the mgr, being okayed to write a check, leaving to get her checkbook in the car, the kid holding her place in line, her coming back saying she has no$$ or credit cards (really??? come on)...

He may have just said WTF- I need to get outta here before I fall down and thru down the money w/o thinking. Later, seeing them at the gas station... well- different story there.

I would have went up to her and said that I hoped she scratched a winner so she could pay me back. And I hope the kid gets fat drinking his 'Big Gulp'!!

I don't think it mitigates the fact that the manager should have taken her out of line to be dealt with later, and gone on to the next person checking out. This isn't a grocery store. Surely they could have canceled the cash register entry.

And I don't wish the kid ill will. He's innocent in all this, in my opinion. Actually, it's very sad for him, and for us too, if this is the example he will grow up with.

[The Buckeyes]

You did a good deed and then got slapped in the face for it! I'm sorry, but the time for being politically correct is over. I would have called her out on in in front of the child...unless she is called out the child will think it is ok to pull what she did.

[graciegirl]

[///

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by The Buckeyes

You did a good deed and then got slapped in the face for it! I'm sorry, but the time for being politically correct is over. I would have called her out on in in front of the child...unless she is called out the child will think it is ok to pull what she did.

That's a good point, but if she's that conniving that she can pull one over on management and the guy behind her in line, she would be able to turn the blame onto the good samaritan, to her son, if the person called her out in front of him. If not immediately, then later on in the car while he's sipping his big gulp. It's a bad situation for the son all the way around. Sad.

[bkcunningham1]

Maybe she found the money in her car after she left the restaurant.

[The Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Maybe she found the money in her car after she left the restaurant.

I'm sorry but I am not just that gullible. After all he walked out of the restaurant and went directly to the gas station.

[bkcunningham1]

Since none of us really know the truth behind what happened, I thought I'd give her the benefit of the doubt. Call it wishful thinking. That, and the fact that I'm wearing my rose-colored-glasses tonight.

[Nursebarb1]

You were a good person. God bless you.