In a roundabout way, I got robbed

[Valiere]

Long story.

So I went to get groceries at Wal-Mart today. The very second I got out of the car, this big black lady pounced on me. She spilled out a sob story of how she had absolutely no money and desperately needed diapers and food for her kids. She said she'd appreciate any amount I could give her.

Since poor people 'round these parts have a reputation for spending your donations on drugs and booze, I said she could come with me into the store, and I would buy her a few things. But not much, I'm a starving college student after all. I could tell she didn't really like this. "How much? Because I need at least $20 for this and this..." She tried to convince me to give her cash, but finding out I didn't have any cash, she said it would be easier if I just got her a gift card. I refused.

Finally, she caved. I should've noticed she only caved when I mentioned my check card, but I'm an idiot. She said the guy who was nice enough to drive her there, a trashy white guy, would come in with us. I tensed up. I knew he wasn't just being helpful to a poor old lady in the neighborhood. He wanted something, and he wanted me to buy it. I should've backed out, but I didn't.

On the way to the diaper aisle, she buttered me up by saying I must be a cheerleader, I'm probably dating a football player, etc. I tried to be amicable, but discomfort was painted all over my face. To make things worse, she kept saying, "Thank you, Jesus, thank you, Jesus!" over and over. I thought to myself, Jesus isn't helping you, lady. I am.

Anyway, diapers. They're expensive. Super expensive. I suggested we get some off-brand ones, but she balked. "NO NO NO, HONEY, let me tell you something. Let me tell you something, honey. Those off-brand diapers will NOT last as long as the real thing. You need the real thing." The white guy, who's apparently an expert on diapers, corroborated this. The "real thing" was $15 plus tax. I told her that's all I could spend, no more.

She was a bit perturbed by this but accepted it. In a weird turn of events, she then asked me to go pay for the diapers myself, because the white guy had to leave. I was annoyed and asked her where she was going, which resulted in her coming with me to pay. In hindsight, I suspect she was trying to avoid letting someone who worked there see her. So anyway, I bought Pull-Ups for hopefully the only time in my life, she thanked me and left.

Shortly after, I wondered: I just did a good deed. Why don't I feel good about this? Well, because I felt like I got robbed.

So I drove my cart to the customer service area, and there she was, empty-handed. She spotted me and ran up, shoving a cell phone in my ear. It was her daughter or niece or whatever saying hi. She wasn't doing this to be friendly. She was trying to convince me there even was a kid. I should've confronted her but didn't, I didn't have proof.

After getting my own groceries, I went back to the customer service desk and asked if anyone had returned diapers recently. Sure enough, the clerk pulled out the same package I'd bought. Since I used a check card, they got cash back. Brilliant, Val, brilliant!

So anyway, I hate myself for ignoring all my instincts that this was all wrong, and I'm never helping anyone in this city again. Thankfully it only set me back $16.34. Regardless, the poor people of Austin can go screw themselves.

[Grandy]

Heh, sucks to be you.

[Archem]

Honestly, I think you deserve this. As you said, all your instincts told you things just weren't right, and you decided to trust the suspicious person in a bad neighborhood.

Of course, I'm a real cynic, and while I'm polite at first, if people start pushing me, I can be downright nasty.

[Valiere]

Of course I deserve it! I already said I hate myself!

[Cerebus]

Poor people are just parasites. Give him money and he'll come back to pester you! Or rob you in a complicated way. Or something like this.
I usually give nothing to beggars or such, except when I feel generous, and even then. I remember this old man saying he was poor and alcoholic, and preferred to beg rather than steal in order to drink, so I gave him 2$, and it's probably the most I gave to someone I don't know. Yet, some old lady who looked like she came out of some grave begged for money and she got nothing from me. Screw you, beggars!

[Darkfox]

Wow... just... wow...

[fruckert]

I really can't say much beyond "Ouch."

[HackersTotalMassLaser]

http://www.fmylife.com/ You'll definitely get a you deserve it vote there.

I gotta say though you got a weird train of thought. Even thru that, you deceived your own instincts; Not being mean, but- oh what the hell, I am being mean.


Just a thought; have you gone thru something like this before?

[Razor]

Sorry to hear that, chief.

On a related note, I like the idea of giving money to homeless people, but I'm vehemently against it when they ask. It's all kneejerk.
"can you spare some change"
"NO"

[Valiere]

Just a thought; have you gone thru something like this before?

No. My home city has a homeless population of zero, and no one's ever asked me for money before.

And I was conscious of everything that happened being "off," which is why I zipped to the customer service counter after she took the diapers. All I can say is I was so uncomfortable with what was happening that I just wanted to get it over with. Also, I felt like I'd gotten off easy by only buying the diapers.

If I'd called her out or made accusations, I could've ended up with my car keyed, or worse. The white guy looked like the type of person who'd do damn near anything if you pissed him off.

[Drakiyth]

People tend to cringe and back away from me when I'm in the store. I guess I just look like a bad mother ****er.  There was this one guy who asked me for change and I just gave him a quick glare and he backed up. Must suck to be a pretty female (I've seen your pics Val) in this terrible economy.  I guess, just try and get mean with people and don't let them walk on you. Though, you do live in a really shitty *** crime infested fuckhole of a town too. So, I feel for ya dude.

[fruckert]

For some reason that reminds me of when I was in middle school.
I overheard this one girl say that she thought that I was cute but didn't want to ask me out because my dad scared the piss out of her.
:{

[Darkfox]

Ouch, dude. XD

[HackersTotalMassLaser]

No. My home city has a homeless population of zero, and no one's ever asked me for money before.

And I was conscious of everything that happened being "off," which is why I zipped to the customer service counter after she took the diapers. All I can say is I was so uncomfortable with what was happening that I just wanted to get it over with. Also, I felt like I'd gotten off easy by only buying the diapers.

If I'd called her out or made accusations, I could've ended up with my car keyed, or worse. The white guy looked like the type of person who'd do damn near anything if you pissed him off.

I meant going against your instincts.

[Prpl_Mage]

Amazing.
But the best one is when they ask for change and you dig your pockets and they notice your wallet in the midst of it. With the wallet in sight they pick up a long sharp object or a gun and demand you to hand it over.
So yeah, never trust people who say anything about poverty or their kids.