Would you give $ to a stranger to buy gas?

[Anonymous]

No, I wouldn't. It's a scam.

[Anonymous]

That gives me an oogy feeling. If I were pretty comfortable financially and I saw someone in need I would do it and hope they pay it forward. I don't like strangers coming up to me though.

When I lived in Philadelphia I used to give to panhandlers until I read about one who had a day job and that combined with panhandling gave him a very comfortable living.

[Anonymous]

"When I lived in Philadelphia I used to give to panhandlers until I read about one who had a day job and that combined with panhandling gave him a very comfortable living."

When I worked retail at Union Station, several of the regular panhandlers were friendly and would come into the store to chat when things were slow. They said that they made more than 30K a year, asking mostly tourists for handouts - and this was almost 20 years ago, so given that the income is tax-free a good pandhandler today probably is making the equivalent of 50K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone did this to me the other day.

I did not give them money, but I gave them 2 gallons of gasoline. I paid for it inside the station and let them pump.

I agree with this.

[Anonymous]

OP was this on Rockville Pike - exact same thing happened to me recently. Said he had to get back to DC.

[Anonymous]

I honestly almost never actually have cash on me so no. But even if I did, I wouldn't give it to them.