Helping people out.
I got a call this afternoon from a dude that basically found me after using Google Maps for Computer Repair Service. I had added myself to make it easier to get directions and such. Anyway, I explained that I worked for Microsoft, didn’t actually run a repair service but would be happy to help and let him know what was up with his girlfriends computer. I’d probably do it gratis unless he really wanted some major hardware work and I ended up getting some bloody knuckles.
Why? Because, I enjoy helping people and figure why the hell not. I could easily diagnose the problem in 15 minutes.
Just now I was at QFC down the road. On the way out a lady in her Sebring as parked in a disabled spot with her placard. Anyway, she stopped us and started asking slowly for some cash. She said she had cerebral palsy and apparently forgot her wallet at Shell around the corner, when she went back it was gone. By this point she was bursting into tears. Apparently she had no cash and no gas, and with her wallet gone she was in a bind. Figuring that was the case I already grabbed my wallet and pulled out $5. Handing it to her she grabbed my hand and thanked me kindly.
I felt bad and all and honestly $5 isn’t much to help someone in a bind. I’m more than happy to give when I know pretty well it’s going to go do some good. I mean it’s not like she was outside a Wine and Liquor store asking for booze.
Though this reminds me, a while back at a Safeway a guy asked for money for food. I had none, I don’t normally carry cash as I prefer plastics. I said I’d be happy to grab him some food, a sandwich or something. He wanted a ham sandwich. Five minutes later I came out with a ham sandwich and a bag of chips. But the dude ditched. Seriously!? I got stood up by a homeless guy and couldn’t even get him the food. Sigh. I guess maybe he figured I wouldn’t really be helping him out.
So when I got home tonight the thought did cross my mind. How do you really know when someone needs, requires, deserves help? I mean really. I honestly don’t know if that lady really needed help. She could’ve easily been a crafty scam artist doing that to every easy mark. Hell she’d probably gather at least enough cash to buy her groceries or whatever for the night. Then again why go to all that trouble for $5?
How does one really know? When do you help, when do you not?