To help or not...
The other night, quite late, I popped to the local service station to buy the kids an ice cream. When I pulled in there was an older car there, a people mover type car, pretty dinged up looking as though it had seen better days. Three kids looking quite sad in the back seat mum in the front seat looking the same way and dad filling the car with fuel watching the bowser dollars tick over... My instant reaction was I want to help these people... I want to pay for their fuel. As I walked into the shop I was torn, would they be insulted? The last thing I wanted to do was insult them. Is it wrong to try and help someone out? Would they think I was judging them or belittling them? I walked away without paying for their fuel and it has troubled me ever since. I am interested to hear other IM's opinion on what they would have done in the same circumstance...
9 Replies
If I had the money to do so, I would have paid for it. Love any chance to pay it forward. Never know when u may need some one to to do the same for you.
I've been in the fortunate position to have people help me out when I needed help paying some medical bills. It was a huge relief. I have in turn helped a friend out with cash when he couldn't afford to buy presents for Christmas. I try and donate to groups like the salvos when I can because who knows when they are going to need them! I think if you can afford to help out a random stranger then that's a lovely thing to do. When you are obviously poor people tend not to look you in the eye and you become invisible. Things like a nice chat or a hello can go a long way too.
It is a wonder gesture and so many appreciate it. For those families you do help out, you could be helping so much more than you realise. A simple act of kindness might not change the whole world but for one person it can change their life at that moment. Never be scared to, I don't have much and sometimes I may not have the financial advantage that some do, but if the person in front of me (especially if they have children) couldn't afford for a couple of groceries I would be more than happy to pay, just like I would appreciate someone doing it for me.
A lot of ppl are doing it tough ATM, I live in perth and own a bakery at the end of the night all the left over bread is given away for free to a registered charity we have 4 different charities that come every night of the week they run soup kitchens, shelters, and churches. One of the collectors was telling me the suburb they service which is a pretty dodgy lower income area each night they have bread which is twice a week they have up to 200 families come a collect their bag, some if they don't have bread they don't eat. Another group service 80 to 100 families in another area I find it staggering the amount of families that struggle with simple staples like bread. If u can afford it why not help someone, you never know what is in the future and perhaps one day you will be in their shoes needing a helping hand.
I was away on holidays getting petrol when I walked inside there was an older lady at the counter trying to use her new card but it wasn't working, she was hopelessly looking in her wallet but had no money my heart went out to her as I'd forgot money once and had to leave my drivers licence and go home and get money. Anyway as the lady moved to the side still freaking out I walked up said I'll pay for hers and mine I gave the cashier the money and quickly walked away. Now I don't know if she was offended but I felt great to be able to help someone in need..
You could possibly have paid it and told the servo person why but that if they seemed offended explain that this customer is often performing random acts of kindness at the servo and it's just luck for who gets the free fuel at the time??
I know I'd be cheering if someone paid my fuel!
If I had the money to spare, I would have paid for their fuel. I love doing random acts of kindness.
Help. Just do it anonymously, or tell them its your pleasure. Don't tell them to pass it on, being broke is incredibly time consuming, as well as stressful. I have no doubt once theyre on their feet they'll remember you & remember themselves and want to give others a break anyway. I've been so broke that if someone paid for my petrol it wouldve made my month!
I think offense comes if it's out of pity or expectation, happiness comes if it's just kindness & generosity.
Personally I would have been insulted. I'd be thinking "wow we must look really poor". Might just be me though!