Did I just do a good thing or get taken advantage of?

[annathepiper]

So there I am coming out of the Quick Stop, having bought Kit-Kats for solarbird, risu and myself, and this lady comes up to me to ask me for help buying meat and vegetables at the Safeway because the food bank is closed, and she needs to cook for her kids tonight. I was dubious but I went ahead and did it, since she specifically asked for food rather than a "will you give me money?" speech... and inside the Safeway she did get specifically what she asked for, meat and vegetables. The only thing extra she asked for was two packets of Kool-aid for these hypothetical children.

So I think I just helped someone feed hungry kids tonight, or at least I want to hope so. She was either legit or else a really good actress; I don't know which. Rebecca thinks legit because she didn't offer to pay me back. And since she only cost me thirteen bucks and change and got food for her trouble rather than money or cigarettes or booze, that is a strong argument in favor of her being legit.

Still I have a little nagging grain of doubt and skepticism. Half of me points out that this is a survival mechanism, necessary to keep oneself from getting taken advantage of, and the other half of me is mournful that since a lot of people out there are in fact out to take advantage of you, it is so hard to have faith that you are doing the right thing when someone asks for help.

Comments

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

I vote for good thing.

[annathepiper]

It seems to be unanimous -- heh. Thanks. :)

[murson.livejournal.com]

"Good Thing"™, I'd say. Given the circumstances, and the way she presented it all, it does sound like she was legit to me, and I'd like to think I would have reacted the same way (even given the apparent masses of obvious rip-off idiots you come across these days!).

[annathepiper]

Thanks... it is reassuring to know I wasn't being terribly wacky. :)

[princessheacock.livejournal.com]

I think that you definitely bought food for someone.

What is she going to do, take all the food back for money after you leave?

Whether it is for a woman with kids or if it was for a woman by herself -- who knows. But I'd feel good about having given her food and not worry about it more.

[annathepiper]

Not overly worried about it anyway... though on one hand I wanted the counsel of others in this to see if I was being sensible enough, and on the other hand, this is one of those things I just felt like recording in my journal for later on down the road. Thanks though, hon!

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

kids or no kids, it sounds like you bought $13 of food for *somebody*. at worst, some grownups get to drink the koolaid, and that's not such a terrible act of charity, either.

good on you for your kindness.

[annathepiper]

Mmmmmm. Kool-aid. Dammit, now I want some. :)

[cafiorello.livejournal.com]

I vote for good thing.

And I would rather get ripped off occasionally than turn stone-hearted. ;)
Cathy

[annathepiper]

You have a point there. :)