MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Would you contribute to a stranger’s train ticket?

MrsE_2

elsien wrote: »

Not sure - a bit too reminiscent of the cons where people pretend they've lost their wallet/tickets etc.
If I really thought she was genuine I'd help out, but being skint I'd be unlikely to have the full £10 anyway.

Thats what I would think, very unlikely I would help.

flossyann

I was in a similar situation where an old disabled lady needed £10 for a ticket so I gave it to her straight away as I felt sorry for her and hoped if I was in the same situation someone would help me out....

However 2 weeks later my friend tells me of an identical situation, same place, same description of the old lady, same sob story and same request for £10!

Asking around at the station it seems she regularly turns up there trying to con good samaritans and what really upset me is she always approaches mums with children, maybe she thinks we're a soft touch!

I can just imagine her chucking her walking frame in the back of her flashy car with all our tenners whilst she drives to the next station for more of the same.

Even so, I would still help out a stranger 'two wrongs wouldn't make a right' as my mum would say...

welsh_cake

I wouldn't think twice about paying it for her. I will never ever forget being in Australia (on my own) and when I went to go on the bus, i realised I didn't have enough money in my purse. I was in Adelaide and didnt have a clue whether i was coming or going. A lovely gentleman came from behind me and paid the whole amount. I asked him for his address so i could send the money on, but he just wouldn't hear of it.

I honestly will never forget this lovely gesture, as I was somewhere I didn't know and was scared.

BayGin

It wouldn't cross my mind to not give her the money.Karma has a way of paying you back.Oh by the way,lend us a tenner martin

BayGin

norfolk_bet wrote: »

I'm not sure to be honest. Depends on the circumstances. £50 isn't that much money, it's not like it's a £1000 fine for not having a ticket. And she could just pay it when she gets home.

Why should I pay £10 for her mistake? When she can pay just £40 more to rectify it herself at a later stage.

If the conductor was going to chuck her off the train late at night, that would be another matter - then I would definitely pay the £10.

And these are the kind of people that win competions,if God exists he/she has got a warped sense of humour!

RichPhill

Yes I was that man who followed the printout which came with my tickets returning me from Gatwick to Hitchin, via London, to the letter; to be told by the Virgin ticket inspector, I had the wrong ( ineligible) tickets.

Basically, The company supplying the tickets gave me the wrong return route plan - how was I to know the tickets they sold me were incorrect, for the route which they actually specified ??

Anyway, with a few coins left - Albanian Leck only and my journey printout spred before him, I flabbergasted, told him... "I am completely stuffed!"

This VIRGIN MEGASTAR proved the very opposite of Jobsworthy and not only told me he was overlooking the matter but advised me about the problem on the tubes I was about to face and what route I should take to catch my train from KingsX - the last available that Sunday.

So there are human beings out there and maybe the ticket collector in this hyperthetical case might still prove he is one of them.

Failing that, I'd give what I could to help that person out, providing no suspicions were aroused on my part that it was a ruse and in this case a small price to pay to spead a little more trust.

maggiebee48

I'd be happy to help out. Unlikely to afford the whole lot, but always willing to donate a quid or so. I always think, 'How would I feel in that situation?' Ok, perhaps I'm a gullible person, but prefer to be that than leave some poor stranger in a mess.

Mags

protector

Given that the scenario is someone with the wrong ticket and the conductor is right there, I fail to see how it could possibly be a scam, unless it's a fake conductor.

If there was no reasoning with the conductor, I'd take the money out, pay the conductor directly and possibly even make a new friend in the process.

Several times I've actually been in a situation like this and have never hesitated to help out. The most recent was a young girl begging at a tram station in Manchester asking for money for her fare. I asked where she was going, if she was coming back the same day, and when she answered I took her over to the machine and bought her ticket.

Whenever I help someone like that I simply ask them to remember it and pass it on some day.

It is the actions of strangers which most often turn a really unpleasant situation into a bearable one or even something really positive.

Help others, get them to help others when they have the chance and suddenly there's an epidemic of nice, helpful people doing the right thing all over the place.

Even if I was short on cash I wouldn't leave someone stranded. In fact, if the woman in the dilemma couldn't afford that ticket, I didn't have the money but had a relaxed schedule and a similar destination, I'd probably get off the train and wait with her. It's always easier to deal with things like that when you've got some friendly company along for the ride.

No matter what country, what nationality, there's no way to be ripped off like some people seem to think would happen if you don't give them the money, but buy what they need.

Truth be told, I don't actually think this is much of a dilemma, the one about the old lady in the bank was a tough one, this is much simpler.

humblebumble_2

If i had the means to help then i most certainly would

postypaulh

I would definitley help because it may have been my daughter requiring help.
What ever happened to the good Samariton