[Golfingnut]

Perhaps we should be thankful we are not having to beg for small change. Calling the police is a bit of a stretch.

[Bogie Shooter]

These are the same folks that used to be at all the intersections with there little cardboard signs. That is now illegal without a permit. So they have just moved into the parking lots.
The ones at the intersections were transported by a van, dropped off, then did their shift and left. Nice little business!
Don't feel guilty by not falling for their scam.

[buggyone]

Several years ago, I was traveling from the Grand Canyon across Arizona on Easter Sunday with my wife, daughter, and mother. We stopped at a McDonalds at noon at Tuba City and had our lunch. When I got back to the car, an older Native American wanted to sell me his carpenter tools so he could eat. I had no need for tools but gave him $10 and he thanked me and was insistent I take the tools. I said several times I did not want the tools but finally I took three nails and he took the money and went inside the McDonalds. I guess he was too proud to accept a handout. I still have those three nails and think of that Easter.

[EnglishJW]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Several years ago, I was traveling from the Grand Canyon across Arizona on Easter Sunday with my wife, daughter, and mother. We stopped at a McDonalds at noon at Tuba City and had our lunch. When I got back to the car, an older Native American wanted to sell me his carpenter tools so he could eat. I had no need for tools but gave him $10 and he thanked me and was insistent I take the tools. I said several times I did not want the tools but finally I took three nails and he took the money and went inside the McDonalds. I guess he was too proud to accept a handout. I still have those three nails and think of that Easter.

Very gracious - keep those nails.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Several years ago, I was traveling from the Grand Canyon across Arizona on Easter Sunday with my wife, daughter, and mother. We stopped at a McDonalds at noon at Tuba City and had our lunch. When I got back to the car, an older Native American wanted to sell me his carpenter tools so he could eat. I had no need for tools but gave him $10 and he thanked me and was insistent I take the tools. I said several times I did not want the tools but finally I took three nails and he took the money and went inside the McDonalds. I guess he was too proud to accept a handout. I still have those three nails and think of that Easter.

Thank you.

[Whatever]

Originally Posted by Whatever

Approached last night, 4/18@ about 7:00 p.m., told him I heard the story before and he looked shocked. Yep, he was wearing the same veterans hat, had a story, was 65ish and could not get away fast enough. I was not able to get the plate #.
The incident took place in the Fuji Restaurant parking lot on 441.

There was a story, and it went like this, "I am travelling from Gainesville, my father was in an accident and I have to get to Olando Hospital to help him." If you have read previous posts on this subject you will find that it is a SCAM and not BEGGING as this came with a story and a direct approach out of nowhere. Begging is usually a person standing in one spot with their hand out, no story, and just asking for money. There is a difference, subtle that it might be. In this specific case, scamming is his profession.

And, before I get chastised for not shelling out to this person, let me say that I do my fair share, and then some, by supporting various charities that I deem to be worthwhile and help the truly needy and disabled. Especially, those charities which help children.

I hate to admit it, but I've been taken more than once. Fortuneately for amounts that would not create a hardship to me and mine.

[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Several years ago, I was traveling from the Grand Canyon across Arizona on Easter Sunday with my wife, daughter, and mother. We stopped at a McDonalds at noon at Tuba City and had our lunch. When I got back to the car, an older Native American wanted to sell me his carpenter tools so he could eat. I had no need for tools but gave him $10 and he thanked me and was insistent I take the tools. I said several times I did not want the tools but finally I took three nails and he took the money and went inside the McDonalds. I guess he was too proud to accept a handout. I still have those three nails and think of that Easter.

Wow...what a lovely story. In so many ways...

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Lovey2

Wow...what a lovely story. In so many ways...

I agree. The nails and Easter and Buggy's kindness. All good. A lot of deep symbolism.

[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I agree. The nails and Easter and Buggy's kindness. All good. A lot of deep symbolism.

Well, I couldn't quite express it, and somehow didn't wanna go there, but what struck me first and most was the "nails". How beautiful, and on Easter...not a coincidence, I think. You never really know who you are helping when you do...

[Matzy]

Depends of the situation. Not so long ago a man accompanied with his little son ask me at a gas station to borrow some gas. He'd hold a a gas can in his hand. I looked at him, then in his eyes, and filled up this gas can. He thanked many times and I saw some tears running down his face........

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Matzy

Depends of the situation. Not so long ago a man accompanied with his little son ask me at a gas station to borrow some gas. He'd hold a a gas can in his hand. I looked at him, then in his eyes, and filled up this gas can. He thanked many times and I saw some tears running down his face........

Better to extend kindness once too often than once too few. But I get so angry at people who prey on another's goodness.

[USSGompers]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Several years ago, I was traveling from the Grand Canyon across Arizona on Easter Sunday with my wife, daughter, and mother. We stopped at a McDonalds at noon at Tuba City and had our lunch. When I got back to the car, an older Native American wanted to sell me his carpenter tools so he could eat. I had no need for tools but gave him $10 and he thanked me and was insistent I take the tools. I said several times I did not want the tools but finally I took three nails and he took the money and went inside the McDonalds. I guess he was too proud to accept a handout. I still have those three nails and think of that Easter.

God Bless you...Father, Son and the Holy Ghost-----3 nails!!...Happy Easter!

[wendyquat]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Perhaps we should be thankful we are not having to beg for small change. Calling the police is a bit of a stretch.

Ahhhh, golfingnut, for once I agree with you! It's not for me to judge whether it's a scam or not. I, for one, could not sleep at night if I didn't give someone a few cents for a child's milk! Believe it or not there are people who can't make it from paycheck to paycheck! A few bucks is not going to break me and could help someone! Call me a sucker but it helps me sleep at night!

[NewGal]

Originally Posted by ugotme

In addition, I have this wonderful bridge in Brooklyn that I desperately need to have fixed.

Please help!

Laughed Out Loud!

[mixsonci]

Originally Posted by USSGompers

God Bless you...Father, Son and the Holy Ghost-----3 nails!!...Happy Easter!

It's too bad there are so many scammers out there that we become reluctant to give and the ones that really need it, don't get it. So sad to think that because of this we miss the ones that really do need help.