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Am I naive or ..........
mandrose
Posts: 196 Forumite
Hi everyone
Looking for your opinions on something that happened to me today!
I went to a large Tesco with my sister & mum around lunchtime - after shopping my sister & I were loading the car, chatting as usual.
A young (mid 20's girl) approached us and said she was very embarrassed but she needed to ask us something once she had explained the situation.
She said her & her partner had left home to very quickly post a letter and it was only on arrival at Tesco they realised neither of them had picked up a door key, both assuming the other had. She said they both had a mobile with credit (showing me hers) and they had called all their friends trying to get someone to help them but no one had answered. The only option they had was to go to Henley (about a 20 min drive) to her nan's to pick up a spare key but their motorbike was low on petrol and again, as it was just a quick pop out neither had picked up their wallet or handbag. She then asked it either of us could "lend" her a couple of pound for petrol, promising that she would return the money via post. She said she would text us with her number and name, so that we could send her our address to forward on the money.
My sister looked very stoney faced but I honestly felt it was genuine - she had a crash helmet under her arm and seemed very embarrassed by the whole situation!
I gave her £5 and she then text my phone with the name Clare. Now, I'm not daft enough to give my home address but I'm going to send her my work one to see if the money does arrive.
My sister came up with a valid point - why didn't she go into the very LARGE Tesco and explain as they probably would have helped in some way!
I, on the other hand think that we have become a culture of believing that everyone is dishonest and like to think that if I was ever in trouble a complete stranger would trust me enough to help!
As the day has worn on, I'm inclined to think my sister was right, hence I haven't text my work address yet as don't want to believe I have been conned!
What do you think? Are we now living in a world where we ALWAYS say no, just in case?
Looking for your opinions on something that happened to me today!
I went to a large Tesco with my sister & mum around lunchtime - after shopping my sister & I were loading the car, chatting as usual.
A young (mid 20's girl) approached us and said she was very embarrassed but she needed to ask us something once she had explained the situation.
She said her & her partner had left home to very quickly post a letter and it was only on arrival at Tesco they realised neither of them had picked up a door key, both assuming the other had. She said they both had a mobile with credit (showing me hers) and they had called all their friends trying to get someone to help them but no one had answered. The only option they had was to go to Henley (about a 20 min drive) to her nan's to pick up a spare key but their motorbike was low on petrol and again, as it was just a quick pop out neither had picked up their wallet or handbag. She then asked it either of us could "lend" her a couple of pound for petrol, promising that she would return the money via post. She said she would text us with her number and name, so that we could send her our address to forward on the money.
My sister looked very stoney faced but I honestly felt it was genuine - she had a crash helmet under her arm and seemed very embarrassed by the whole situation!
I gave her £5 and she then text my phone with the name Clare. Now, I'm not daft enough to give my home address but I'm going to send her my work one to see if the money does arrive.
My sister came up with a valid point - why didn't she go into the very LARGE Tesco and explain as they probably would have helped in some way!
I, on the other hand think that we have become a culture of believing that everyone is dishonest and like to think that if I was ever in trouble a complete stranger would trust me enough to help!
As the day has worn on, I'm inclined to think my sister was right, hence I haven't text my work address yet as don't want to believe I have been conned!
What do you think? Are we now living in a world where we ALWAYS say no, just in case?
0
Comments
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I wouldn't worry for a fiver - text her and tell her to give it to your favourite charity.
If she does great - if she doesn't then karma will sort her (and you!) out
Some days you're the dog..... most days you're the tree!
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Conned...a woman leaving the house without her handbag and yet still has her mobile phone...doesn't happen in my experience!0
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You gave your work address? Hopefully that wont come back to bite you on the bot.0
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the answer to your question is.... yes, you are naive.
It's just another play on the lost train ticket, missed bus etc etc.0 -
Have to say Sagz, my argument with my sister is that £5 wont break the bank (although I'm far from rich!)
I like the idea of the donation to the charity as I actually work for a very well known one, in fact I'll ask for her address and send her a donation form so I can track it!
I think my problem is that friends/relatives always say that I'm too kind/soft for my own good but I like to think there are genuine honest people out there that don't see me as any easy touch! I really don't want to turn into one of those untrusting people that always says no to every request! 0 -
oh, oh - just seen other replies! Looks like I might have to accept I need to toughen up then!0
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they are all con merchants, the helmet is called a 'convincer', dont you watch hustle?Target Savings by end 2009: 20,000
current savings: 20,500 (target hit yippee!)
Debts: 8000 (student loan so doesnt count)
new target savings by Feb 2010: 30,0000 -
I don't think you were naive at all, in fact you did a very chivalrous and Christian deed. And if I were in a similar situation, I would expect someone to help me out because I would definitely do so if it were the other way around. What kind of life are we living if we can't even trust another human being. And especially with the money being a small amount, you are fine. Ok, if you lent £20, then maybe I'd say you've been a sucker. And as Sagz put it, Karma will sort you and her out So don't beat yourself up for it, you've done the right thing. 0
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uhhmmm, Hustle? Nope, I've never watched it but maybe I should!
NCISROCKS - I haven't been in touch at all yet - are you saying I shouldn't give my work address?
I'm now thinking I'll put it down to experience and not contact the person at all BUT I still hope that if I ever feel someone is genuine I would try and help to the best of my ability! I really don't want to become so untrusting that my answer is always no!
Mandrosexx
p.s. I'm also going to watch a few tv programmes such as hustle!!!0 -
I have to say I can see exactly where your coming from. It is so hard these days to not be cynical of people's motives, You do hear a lot of these cons nowadays and some are so clever you wonder why they don't put their brains to work on something honest and positive. I hope you get your money back and are repaid in some way for your generosity of spirit0
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