I feel like I might have done wrong but at the same time, no.

[Lady Bug]

I was leaving Mass this evening. As I was approaching the parking garage, a man starts hollering for me "Maam?" and I sort of look at him but pretend that I didn't realize he was referring to me. I think he asked me something if I could give him a dollar. I'm not embarking on a discussion about whether or not someone should give a stranger a dollar if asked - to be honest, I don't care as much as some people do, I'd do it in a more public location, but this was sort of in a back alley, if you will. I don't appreciate male strangers asking women for help when they could ask a man - for the most part, I think it's completely unethical for male strangers to approach women for help. I ignored him because I didn't know if he was dangerous or not. I kind of wish I were a better Christian and helped him if he needed it, but as I said - ASK A MAN, NOT A WOMAN WALKING BY HERSELF!

 

[WarriorAngel]

I was leaving Mass this evening. As I was approaching the parking garage, a man starts hollering for me "Maam?" and I sort of look at him but pretend that I didn't realize he was referring to me. I think he asked me something if I could give him a dollar. I'm not embarking on a discussion about whether or not someone should give a stranger a dollar if asked - to be honest, I don't care as much as some people do, I'd do it in a more public location, but this was sort of in a back alley, if you will. I don't appreciate male strangers asking women for help when they could ask a man - for the most part, I think it's completely unethical for male strangers to approach women for help. I ignored him because I didn't know if he was dangerous or not. I kind of wish I were a better Christian and helped him if he needed it, but as I said - ASK A MAN, NOT A WOMAN WALKING BY HERSELF!

Be safe and follow your intuition. Pray for him and make a donation somewhere on his behalf.

 

[AlexB23]

I was leaving Mass this evening. As I was approaching the parking garage, a man starts hollering for me "Maam?" and I sort of look at him but pretend that I didn't realize he was referring to me. I think he asked me something if I could give him a dollar. I'm not embarking on a discussion about whether or not someone should give a stranger a dollar if asked - to be honest, I don't care as much as some people do, I'd do it in a more public location, but this was sort of in a back alley, if you will. I don't appreciate male strangers asking women for help when they could ask a man - for the most part, I think it's completely unethical for male strangers to approach women for help. I ignored him because I didn't know if he was dangerous or not. I kind of wish I were a better Christian and helped him if he needed it, but as I said - ASK A MAN, NOT A WOMAN WALKING BY HERSELF!

You did right. Worst case scenario, I would set the bill on a nearby ledge, and let him grab it from a safe distance of say 20 or 30 ft (assuming no wind would cause the dollar bill to fly away). Also, I do not hand money to strangers, as I prefer donating to reputable organizations online. Protect yourself.

 

[ozso]

I was leaving Mass this evening. As I was approaching the parking garage, a man starts hollering for me "Maam?" and I sort of look at him but pretend that I didn't realize he was referring to me. I think he asked me something if I could give him a dollar. I'm not embarking on a discussion about whether or not someone should give a stranger a dollar if asked - to be honest, I don't care as much as some people do, I'd do it in a more public location, but this was sort of in a back alley, if you will. I don't appreciate male strangers asking women for help when they could ask a man - for the most part, I think it's completely unethical for male strangers to approach women for help. I ignored him because I didn't know if he was dangerous or not. I kind of wish I were a better Christian and helped him if he needed it, but as I said - ASK A MAN, NOT A WOMAN WALKING BY HERSELF!

You did the right and wise thing. He could have very easily been a predator. Asking lone women for help is what Ted Bundy used to do.

 

[RileyG]

Do what makes you comfortable.

Take care.

 

[Chrystal-J]

If it's a guy who looks creepy, then I just say "I'll catch you later" and keep walking.

 

[Lady Bug]

You did right. Worst case scenario, I would set the bill on a nearby ledge, and let him grab it from a safe distance of say 20 or 30 ft (assuming no wind would cause the dollar bill to fly away). Also, I do not hand money to strangers, as I prefer donating to reputable organizations online. Protect yourself.

It was pretty windy yesterday; I wouldn't have been able to do that. (the ledge thing)

You did the right and wise thing. He could have very easily been a predator. Asking lone women for help is what Ted Bundy used to do.

I also didn't like the location of where he hollered for me. I think it's a rather safe location, but in between the back entrance of the church and the parking garage is an alley that I have to cross. It doesn't look like a dangerous alley, but perhaps the guy was using the alley as a means of trying to corner someone.

If it's a guy who looks creepy, then I just say "I'll catch you later" and keep walking.

I don't know if he looked creepy but there was nothing remarkable about his appearance either.

You know, for me it's not even about the controversy of "asking for money." It's WHO he asks, I have an issue with. Men need to understand that, if at all possible, if you have to approach a stranger for help, PLEASE ASK A MAN. A MAN. It is highly inappropriate for a male stranger to ask a female stranger walking by herself, for help, unless that woman is the last person on earth - and even then, I don't know.

 

[AlexB23]

It was pretty windy yesterday; I wouldn't have been able to do that. (the ledge thing)

I also didn't like the location of where he hollered for me. I think it's a rather safe location, but in between the back entrance of the church and the parking garage is an alley that I have to cross. It doesn't look like a dangerous alley, but perhaps the guy was using the alley as a means of trying to corner someone.

I don't know if he looked creepy but there was nothing remarkable about his appearance either.

You know, for me it's not even about the controversy of "asking for money." It's WHO he asks, I have an issue with. Men need to understand that, if at all possible, if you have to approach a stranger for help, PLEASE ASK A MAN. A MAN. It is highly inappropriate for a male stranger to ask a female stranger walking by herself, for help, unless that woman is the last person on earth - and even then, I don't know.

Agreed 100%. Of course, there had to be wind, so yeah, do not give him any bills, unless one could set four quarters on the ledge. $0.25 pieces do not catch the wind. The guy should have asked a man instead of you. If the woman was the last person on earth, then, the only thing left to do is to repopulate the Earth. Just kidding on that last one, but if there was only one man and one woman on Earth, that would be the logical thing to do. I would never trust anyone between two buildings, or near a back entrance.

 

[FaithT]

I was leaving Mass this evening. As I was approaching the parking garage, a man starts hollering for me "Maam?" and I sort of look at him but pretend that I didn't realize he was referring to me. I think he asked me something if I could give him a dollar. I'm not embarking on a discussion about whether or not someone should give a stranger a dollar if asked - to be honest, I don't care as much as some people do, I'd do it in a more public location, but this was sort of in a back alley, if you will. I don't appreciate male strangers asking women for help when they could ask a man - for the most part, I think it's completely unethical for male strangers to approach women for help. I ignored him because I didn't know if he was dangerous or not. I kind of wish I were a better Christian and helped him if he needed it, but as I said - ASK A MAN, NOT A WOMAN WALKING BY HERSELF!

You did the right thing.

 

[FaithT]

If it's a guy who looks creepy, then I just say "I'll catch you later" and keep walking.

Not all bad men look creepy.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Intuition is probably our Guardian angels.

 

[Chrystal-J]

Not all bad men look creepy.

I give to nice panhandlers I know, but those who pop out of nowhere and seem aggressive creep me out.

 

[Lady Bug]

I give to nice panhandlers I know, but those who pop out of nowhere and seem aggressive creep me out.

Yeah, this guy seemed to pop out of nowhere, like a house centipede.

 

[Chrystal-J]

Yeah, this guy seemed to pop out of nowhere, like a house centipede.

Those are the one's I'm cautious about. I live in Detroit, and there are panhandlers on every corner. Sometimes I get to know them and have no problem giving to the nice ones. But, the ones who jump in my face get nothing.

 

[AlexB23]

Yeah, this guy seemed to pop out of nowhere, like a house centipede.

Whew, haven't had any actual centipedes at my place, except maybe once or twice, cos I am on the third floor of a condo. Got a plastic cup, and slipped a sheet of paper under him to rescue the guy, and I went downstairs and outside to save him. Another time, someone else did the saving, as someone else offered to bring the cup outside as I was having breakfast.

 

[AlexB23]

Those are the one's I'm cautious about. I live in Detroit, and there are panhandlers on every corner. Sometimes I get to know them and have no problem giving to the nice ones. But, the ones who jump in my face get nothing.

Isn't Detroit a run down city? I pray that you are safe.

 

[Lady Bug]

I still feel a tad guilty though, because I refused him right outside a church. It's not like I was at a gas station or a sketchy Subway restaurant (lol, I've been panhandled at a Subway, but the employee saved my booty and said he'd take care of the situation).

 

[Chrystal-J]

I still feel a tad guilty though, because I refused him right outside a church. It's not like I was at a gas station or a sketchy Subway restaurant (lol, I've been panhandled at a Subway, but the employee saved my booty and said he'd take care of the situation).

Don't feel guilty. There was a guy panhandling IN church (until the ushers asked him to leave). Then he waited outside in the parking lot and wanted a ride to the drug house.

 

[AlexB23]

I still feel a tad guilty though, because I refused him right outside a church. It's not like I was at a gas station or a sketchy Subway restaurant (lol, I've been panhandled at a Subway, but the employee saved my booty and said he'd take care of the situation).

Broette, what city had this much panhandling? Sounds like your city is going through rough times. I'd try to move, if possible.

 

[FaithT]

I give to nice panhandlers I know, but those who pop out of nowhere and seem aggressive creep me out.

we stopped giving to panhandlers because the news once did a story on the ones we gave to.they were crooks.