Me, a young lady and a $10 note

Someone came up to me today when i was at Rochor area this evening. She was in t-shirt and shorts and carrying an umbrella. Looking probably early 20s. She called out to me in stuttering english and asked me if we can converse in mandarin.

It's so damn obvious wat her motive was. Anyway, she explained to me her dire situation.. about how her family came to s'pore from JB... the rented flat in telok blangah.. her mum and younger siblings... blah blah.. the usual stuff. And all she asking for is $10 for meals for the family. One can tell all the loopholes in the story. She is so "convincing" that she gave me her name (or a faux name) and her home address.

But somehow i gave her the $10. She asked for another $10 more.. but i refused. i drew the line there. i told her to buy what she can to feed everyone wif that amount. She thanked me profusely and left. I presume she gone to find another target.

I guess $10 isn't too much to lose. OF coz $10 is STILL quite alot of $$$. That amt can feed me 3 lunches and a dollar to spare. But then again, how many such cases are real or fraud? Perhaps the possibilty of a genuine case of a poor fellow wandering the streets is practically close to zilch (maybe... im not sure) So we are never sure which is a real poor fellow on the street. Maybe the poorest is even richer than i m now. But anyhow, give her the benefit of a doubt that she's for real, give up something that i might pamper myself with that $10 might seem rather worthwhile. Or im just consoling myself that she's gone away, never to be seen again, and successfully conned a stupid guy of ANOTHER $10?

I'm no saint, I can't be like what the Catholic teachings taught us to be. To give selflessly to the poor and needy. It's different in these modern times. Pple will do anything to survive, to take advantage of those who intend to help. So i guess if that $10 is really able to help that someone settle a meal for her family, Im glad i m able to help. If it's a con job like it meant to be, Im sure she'll be treated fairly for her crimes one day.

1 thing which i failed to do. I didnt get her name and particulars down, no matter how faux it might be. At least i could find some job for her. Noooo, im not being noble by doing that... (Honestly i dun even hav time for myself) but then, it's always a hope. Who knows that little action might help in a big way? But then, it's over... i had gave her the $10 willingly and at that pt in time i juz felt like getting away from that situation.

Another lesson learnt... be it good or bad... i guess God helped me made that decision.