What do you do when people ask for gas money?

[marvholly]

In those infamous words: "Just say NO!"

I live in a BIG metro area. I generally can see panhandlers ahead of passing them. I just put on a stoney stare & keep walking.

I once had a subcontrator ask for extra money above the contract in CASH for some extra work not on the original contract. Told him I do NOT keep $$$ in the house and put it on the bill. Actually prob had between $500-$1000 in the house.

Surprise!!! It was NOT on the bill. Was REAL tempted to call original contractor and complain about this shakedown.

[Joi]

I never give people money. I only give people what they need like food or clothes. For example, if someone is on the street asking for money, I ask them if I can buy them lunch. The outcome is always positive, and it's amazing how much offering someone a meal relieves so much stress from their day. Instead of spend the day wondering if they'll make enough from panhandling to eat a decent meal, they can focus on finding work or making it to the VA hospital for their appointment (a lot of homeless people in our area are vets).

[khosta]

I always tell people I have no money. I live in an area where they ask constantly in gas stations parking lots and I run and say I have no money. One guy started yelling at me after I told him no..... Also, if I were in my car and they came knocking on my window I would scoot out of there sooooo fast - it could be a cerial killer or just someone mentally crazy!!! Beggers freak me out!!!

[Frugal]

I would be concerned if that person were going to spend the money on alcohol or something bad other than gas. You don't know if they have addictions, etc.

[greenskeeper]

I would be concerned if that person were going to spend the money on alcohol or something bad other than gas. You don't know if they have addictions, etc.

I agree. Say I've got no cash on me and go on your way.

[wincrasher]

I get hit on quite often in rest areas. I always assume they are just panhandlers. One actually pitched that they were out of gas and could go not farther. Ha! Even if I gave them $100, how would they get further down the road?

I've also gotten the beggars at the gas station - you can spot the panhandlers easy. Sometimes you get the mommy in the minivan with a bunch of screaming kids and in obvious distress. I'm glad to help those.

[disneysteve]

Sometimes you get the mommy in the minivan with a bunch of screaming kids and in obvious distress. I'm glad to help those.

You don't think those could be scams, too? Con artists come in all shapes and sizes. There was recently a story on the news about a mom who was distracting store attendants while her little kid (4 or 5 years old) was sneaking back and stealing stuff for her. You really can't trust anyone. Somebody asks me for money, I say no. That's not negotiable.

[wincrasher]

Wow - you can't trust anyone? That's no way to live. Especially when we are talking about pocket change.

You definitely have to go with your gut. The lady in tears, rifling thru her purse with the load of screaming kids doesn't need to convince me she could use $5. I'll walk up and give it.

[disneysteve]

Wow - you can't trust anyone? That's no way to live. Especially when we are talking about pocket change.

You definitely have to go with your gut. The lady in tears, rifling thru her purse with the load of screaming kids doesn't need to convince me she could use $5. I'll walk up and give it.

She has already convinced you. That doesn't mean she isn't also conning you. Maybe she is. Maybe she isn't. I agree that you go with your gut. My gut tells me not to give money to people begging in the street.

I've actually never encountered someone asking for money at a gas station so this is a new one on me but I wouldn't give that person money either.

I restrict my charitable giving, of which I do plenty, to organized trustworthy licensed charities - not people knocking on my car window or approaching me on the street. Call me cynical but that's JMHO.

[kork13]

I've actually never encountered someone asking for money at a gas station so this is a new one on me

That doesn't surprise me at all--New Jersey (like Oregon) does not allow you to pump your own gas. It's manned 24/7 by attendants, whose constant presence would discourage most panhandlers. I've seen them in Colorado, Texas, California, Florida, and other places, but never in Oregon. I expect not having self-serve stations plays a role in that.

[cschin4]

I give money to beggars. Really, if someone is that hard up to the point of having to go ask people, i figure why not. And, if they go use it for the day to buy a bottle of booze and forget their troubles for a few hours, oh well.

[disneysteve]

That doesn't surprise me at all--New Jersey (like Oregon) does not allow you to pump your own gas. It's manned 24/7 by attendants, whose constant presence would discourage most panhandlers. I've seen them in Colorado, Texas, California, Florida, and other places, but never in Oregon. I expect not having self-serve stations plays a role in that.

Never happened when I lived in PA or any time we are traveling either but I'm sure you are right that NJ is somewhat immune to this though certainly someone could still walk up to my window and ask for money. I'm sure they'd get booted out or arrested for doing that around here, though. I'm surprised station owners allow it to go on anywhere.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Just yesterday a beggar came up to my husband after he'd finished pumping gas. He asked for bus money. DH gave him some, but out of nowhere a gas station quick shop employee appeared and shouted at the beggar. The beggar ran away down the street. I was in the car and did not exactly see what had gone on, but when my DH told me it was bus fare the guy wanted, I pointed out to him that the covered bus stop was right in front of the station yet the guy had run off down the street when chased off the lot by the employee.

Actually, I found it interesting that the employee would be confrontational and give chase if only to the property edge. A friend's relative worked in a gas station and once tried to confront a couple of guys getting ready to drive off without paying and he had a gun pulled on him. They were very close physically so he tried to grab the gun away. Yahh, gives me shivers! I don't think I'd do any policing on my employer's business without getting paid for high risk duty (combat pay)! That would include chasing beggars.

[mom-from-missouri]

My husband gave a guy money for gas last year. Said his wife just had a baby and they were trying to get home from the hospital with the newborn-said they were headed to my home town where they were from. The guy was at a gas station outside my husbands workplace in downtown KC. Husband gave him $7 and thought he was ripped off. However, the guy was nice, thanked him over and over. Husband made small talk and told him that was where his wife was from. Guy said he worked for the city, and in the excitement of going to pick up wife and newborn from ob, forgot his billfold.

Four days later, my brother, who still lives in my hometown calls. Hey, he wants to know, by any chance, did your husband give a guy $7 for gas??? Husband gets on phone and says yes, how did you know....Turns out, the guy goes to their church. Told people they almost didn't make it home,ran out of gas, had to push the car into quick trip then found out no money. Nice man wearing a uniform from where my husband works, who said wife was from same town, gave him $7.

Small world. Brother mailed us the $7 back, plus a picture of the happy couple and their newborn....

Yep, the guy worked for the city alright--he is a cop there. Turns out I know his wife--just didn't know he and she were married.

So, trust your gut. Husband said there was a baby in the car and the clerk did prepay the pump with the $7.

[Pansori]

My husband gave a guy money for gas last year. Said his wife just had a baby and they were trying to get home from the hospital with the newborn-said they were headed to my home town where they were from. The guy was at a gas station outside my husbands workplace in downtown KC. Husband gave him $7 and thought he was ripped off. However, the guy was nice, thanked him over and over. Husband made small talk and told him that was where his wife was from. Guy said he worked for the city, and in the excitement of going to pick up wife and newborn from ob, forgot his billfold.

Four days later, my brother, who still lives in my hometown calls. Hey, he wants to know, by any chance, did your husband give a guy $7 for gas??? Husband gets on phone and says yes, how did you know....Turns out, the guy goes to their church. Told people they almost didn't make it home,ran out of gas, had to push the car into quick trip then found out no money. Nice man wearing a uniform from where my husband works, who said wife was from same town, gave him $7.

Small world. Brother mailed us the $7 back, plus a picture of the happy couple and their newborn....

Yep, the guy worked for the city alright--he is a cop there. Turns out I know his wife--just didn't know he and she were married.

So, trust your gut. Husband said there was a baby in the car and the clerk did prepay the pump with the $7.

This is a lovely story. It warmed my heart.