Flagged Down By A Motorist This Evening...
06-08-09, 12:50 PM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,350
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4310 Post(s)
Liked 1,387 Times
in
967 Posts
Almost certainly. How many people don't have credit cards? (You can usually buy gas with credit cards.) If they don't have a credit card and have ran out of gas, might that imply that they are not a good risk?
I suspect that the number of scammers overwhelms the number of people who are "truely in need". If they are driving, they should be carrying a drivers license, presumably, in a wallet (that could hold a credit card).
This seems unlikely given how long it can take for AAA (or whatever) to respond.
AAA used to give out the gallon of free gas if you ran out and were a member, until people started abusing it (this was back at the peak of the gas price gouging). AAA started to tell the tow trucks that were dispatched to two them to a gas station. Lots of people got frustrated and drove off without their gallon of gas.
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-08-09 at 01:03 PM.
06-08-09, 12:55 PM
#52
call me T.J.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 361
Bikes: trek 820
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow, I guess I'm wealthier than I thought. I've been approached several times over the course of my life, and as long as I don't feel physically threatened I've always given something.
I'd rather give a couple of bucks to five people who don't deserve it than refuse it to the one person who does.
I'd rather give a couple of bucks to five people who don't deserve it than refuse it to the one person who does.
06-08-09, 01:01 PM
#53
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 942 Times
in
504 Posts
I once saw a guy on the corner with a sign that said "Need money for Food". Right next to him was his(?) dog and a sign that said "Me Too!" 
It gave me such a laugh that I felt obligated to give them a couple of bucks.
It gave me such a laugh that I felt obligated to give them a couple of bucks.
06-08-09, 01:07 PM
#54
Eternal Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 244
Bikes: Univega Trail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been asked for directions while riding. Perhaps those asking figure that, since I'm on a bike, I can't be too far from home, and must be a local. They are usually right about how far afield I go, but I've lived in this area less than 2 years, so I don't have the local streets memorized. What I do usually have in my bag are a map of my town and ones of its two closest neighbors. I often use Google Maps to outline any new route I'm taking. So, folks who ask directions from me usually get the info they need, one way or t'other.
Kevin
Kevin
06-08-09, 01:32 PM
#55
Pointy Helmet Tribe
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Offthebackistan
Posts: 4,338
Bikes: R5, Allez Sprint, Shiv
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 519 Post(s)
Liked 627 Times
in
295 Posts
This has been going a long time and it has consistently bugged the crap out of me. When I'm out riding I'm either trying to get somewhere or I'm just trying to enjoy myself and get away from PEOPLE.
I used to walk in my old neighbourhood with obvious headphones and idiots would stop and try to ask me for directions.
I fail to understand how people don't plan their trip in advance. If I'm going somewhere I haven't been I google map it/look up transit routes/bike paths etc so I don't get lost. I HATE bugging people for directions.
I used to walk in my old neighbourhood with obvious headphones and idiots would stop and try to ask me for directions.
I fail to understand how people don't plan their trip in advance. If I'm going somewhere I haven't been I google map it/look up transit routes/bike paths etc so I don't get lost. I HATE bugging people for directions.
06-08-09, 03:29 PM
#56
Tell a thousand lies...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: In Philly for the time being
Posts: 183
Bikes: Cheap-o MTB, 1980 Fuji Gran Tourer SE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sometimes people get lost, and there's nothing that can really be done about it. Anyone who has ever driven in a city has probably accidentally taken the wrong ramp at an interchange, or been in the turn-only lane, or gone through a construction detour. People get lost. There's no need to get so uptight about being asked for help.
06-09-09, 06:42 AM
#57
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
The last time a motorist flagged me down was on March 24 of this year. I was on a bike tour, at the time; so it's a little off-topic. I will tell the story anyway!
My daughter (she'd just turned 10) were riding along PA Bike Route S, and a motorist flagged us down. He (and his wife and grandson, who were still in the car) wanted to buy us a cup of coffee / cocoa and hear about our trip! Very nice guy. We stayed with them on the return trip, a week later.
My daughter (she'd just turned 10) were riding along PA Bike Route S, and a motorist flagged us down. He (and his wife and grandson, who were still in the car) wanted to buy us a cup of coffee / cocoa and hear about our trip! Very nice guy. We stayed with them on the return trip, a week later.
06-09-09, 08:53 AM
#58
Wishing I was riding now
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Had I guy ask me for money for food in front of a gas station. I only had my CC so I told him that I did not have any money for him. While in the store I thought about it and figured if I were in a bind like that it would be really nice for someone to help me. I bought him one of those hamburgers in the plastic wraps and gave it to him when I came back out. He thanked me and I went on my way.
I don't mind helping people who are hungry or need gas, etc. If this is truly what is needed I'll help them purchase the product but I am not giving them cash.
I don't mind helping people who are hungry or need gas, etc. If this is truly what is needed I'll help them purchase the product but I am not giving them cash.
06-09-09, 01:10 PM
#59
Carefree
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 83
Bikes: Brompton S1E, Fuji Feather
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A crackhead here in London was begging for money and promising that it wasn't for drugs, it was to buy food for his dog. I bought his dog some food, he looked pi**ed off.
