People in need

MorpheusMorpheus
in General

Yesterday, I was at work and stopped at the grocery store. When I was in line, there was a family in front of me, Mom, Dad and 3 Daughters. When they went to pay for their groceries, they realized they didn’t have enough money to buy everything. I called my boss to see if he would let me use my company credit card to pay for their groceries but he wasn’t answering. The family walked out, I paid for my stuff and walked out to my work truck. I saw the man and called him over to my truck. I told him that I would like to help his family out and would ask my boss if the company would buy their groceries. I gave him my business card, he seemed really happy and left. My boss finally called me back and said yes take them shopping. I was really happy but the guy never called me back. Do you think he lost my number or was embarrassed or maybe thought I was trying to scam him? My truck has the company logo and I showed the guy my company ID.

Comments

  • UREverythingUREverything

    That sort of thing is spontaneous. I always end up paying for an older persons items or some kids chocolate who is raising money for a sports team.
    In your situation though he was grateful but may have felt it would be dishonorable accepting this with his wife and daughter there.

    If I were in his shoes I would wouldnt accept it with my kids around me.

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    Likely embarrassment. But people are also suspicious, so who knows. A lady in front of me at the store a month or so ago couldn't get her credit card to work, and didn't have enough cash. I offered to buy her stuff, but she seemed weirded out by the offer, and opted to go through the trouble of writing a good old-fashioned check, instead. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Sometimes people just want to do things on their own. At least we try; they're free to accept or decline.

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

    🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover

    Happy summer vibes! 🐬 🎹

  • cde123cde123

    Giving money to people directly is actually a lot more difficult than you might think! There's a whole psychological aspect to it. It can mess with someone's feelings of independence, and they might be rightly suspicious you'll ask for something in return. If they don't have resources to do the same, it might even raise feelings of shame.

    In many ways it's a lot easier to give through a charity or using a platform like GoFundMe, avoiding all the trust issues.

  • [Deleted User]Fematheist (deleted user)

    "That it was in your heart to do..." It's finally happening! :)

    Thank you for sharing this!! I wish he could have received it in the same spirit with which it was offered. Human compassion is something that separates us from other animals, and this was a beautiful example of just plain giving a damn about a fellow person!

    Please don't stop listening to that inner nudge. There are those who appreciate it! I've had people wait for me, outside, with tears of gratitude in their eyes. I was a single mom, so I ALWAYS let them know that they "owe" me nothing---that it was just a way for me to "pay it forward" for those who blessed me so long ago.

    Thank you for this..

  • TeddyCuddle45TeddyCuddle45

    Now this Is my kind of discussion.
    I am a massive fan of random acts of kindness and good deeds, but not that crap people do just so they can film it.
    I always go out into the world an try to make at least one person smile everyday,
    I just want to see people happy, and I like making people happy, life is just too damn short, and people these days have become so cold hearted, and selfish. We need more kindness and love in the world.
    In my experience I'm not good at accepting help or charity, I'll go without so others don't. So I think maybe the person just felt ashamed or embarrassed, but they really shouldn't. We all go through hard times. Luckily you @Morpheus were there to extend a hand. They might still call you back or even want to repay the favour but they just can't right now. I'm just happy to know there are good people like you in the world.

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    Thanks for your comments, it makes me feel better and makes sense. I never did hear back from the guy. It was maybe more a pride thing and that’s okay.

  • ReltvlyCanshesReltvlyCanshes

    It could have been a pride thing or it could have been he needed a moment to figure out his situation.

  • FalcoFalco

    @Morpheus: you made a wonderful deed. Not knowing the recipient, my guess is that pride is the problem, as others have already pointed out.

    It also depends on how big was the grocery store. Once I was with a friend of mine in a pub where we were regular customers. While he was paying, it looked to me like he was not having enough coins to pay the total amount, so I said I could complete the payment and grabbed my wallet to pay the rest. He told me not to worry and found other coins. Once out, he told me that he wanted to test if the bartender (who knew him from a long time) told him not to worry and make him a little discount. I doubt it can relate, but who knows?

    BTW, in general (not referring to this event), one thing that life taught me is to never try to help someone before they ask. Of course there can be exceptions and one doesn't need to use words to ask. But even if you see people in need, sometimes they don't want other's help and it's frustrating try to help someone that refuses it. After all, the first step to solve a problem is to know having that problem.

    Another important thing when doing charity is not giving money if you don't know how they are spending it (again, not this case, but many buy cigarettes or drug). Once I was in Poland and a guy asked me money to buy food. I was about to offer to accompany him to buy something to eat when I remembered I had a sandwich in my backpack. I asked him if he liked cheese and gave him the sandwich. It has been a pleasure to see him eating the sandwich in front of me, so I knew his request was genuine. 😊

  • dennis22554dennis22554

    I don't really understand completely what's gone wrong with the economy but I hate when we are lied to and told its good when its obviously not. I hadn't eaten at Noodles @ Company for a few years and recently picked up two meals to go---and received sticker shock when the meal was $40. I am fortunate in that I have a good job, but the way prices are sky rocketing, even that's not enough to meet day-to-day expenses anymore. People running out of money at the register may have paid that exact amount the previous week only to see prices unexpectedly rise. I think sometimes the refusal of an offer of help is self pride related. But the offer to help someone else is always noble therefore the practice should continue!

  • [Deleted User]Fematheist (deleted user)

    There was a painting I saw, years ago, with a group of people out in a field, preparing to repair a barn. The kids were running around, the women were trying to secure the table cloth, and the men were standing there, eyeing the barn to see all that was needed. It impacted me, deeply. Having grown up in a rather large family, we all learned early that sometimes, you "throw your hand in" with someone JUST BECAUSE she or he needs it. I think we lost something when we got herded into cities to work for others... It's like we somehow forgot that we're all in this together, and anyone can need assistance at some point..

    Had a friend who was sitting in a bar (pub, dive, etc.), and a guy came in asking for gas money. My friend kind of "side-eyed" him, assuming that he was just hustling. He went outside to check---and sure enough, the asker's family was in the car, looking tired and worried. My friend went home, grabbed his full gas can, and returned to offer it to the guy who'd made the request. He told me that the guy's eyes welled up with tears upon seeing the gas can! Mine did when my friend recounted the story!!!!

    @TeddyCuddle45 's love for "Random Acts of Kindness" gets my FULL AGREEMENT. Will there be people who refuse our Heart's offerings? Yes. Are there those who would mislead us and exploit our willingness to help? Yes. BUT... There are those times when BOTH the giver and the receiver are aligned, the hearts are in resonance, and we get to discover that there are layers of Life of which we typically are unaware. How my blessing could bless someone else, too!

    @Morpheus ~ The Life Force that hit me upon reading the details of your initial post!!! OOOoooooweeeee!!!! :)
    Just think, though... Maybe, just maybe, he got what he was supposed to get? Maybe he needed to experience a different kind of Manhood---the kind that was more well-adjusted, compassionate, and expanded towards others, instead of always being exploitative? Maybe your offer changed his Soul, in some way, simply by offering him a BETTER EXAMPLE?? We NEVER know how our kindnesses toward others can be the catalyst for their growth and positive change!!

    "That it was in your heart to do.." still rings true when I re-read this. THAT'S the kind of world I choose to believe for!!!

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