For this week’s TITMT I am going to step away from music, trivia and list making requests. Instead, I’m going to ask you for your opinion on a scenario. The scenario itself is deliberately vague on details to see what you would do without too much information. On Sunday I will elaborate more and reveal what we actually did.
A few months ago, my boyfriend and I were on our way home from Philadelphia. On the way we spotted a man pulled over to the side of the road. Assumably his family was waiting in the car. He was flagging drivers down and my boyfriend pulled over. He told us that his car had broken down and that help was on the way, but that unfortunately he did not have all the money he needed to pay for the tow truck. So he was asking strangers, out of the kindness of their hearts, for anything up to fifteen dollars to contribute to the total cost. He also offered to pay us back if we were willing to give our address to him.
1. Would you have stopped in the first place? Why or why not?
Yes. If it wouldn’t create more of a hazard and they are flagging down. I would want to make sure they called for help – or offer my cell phone if not.
2. Are there any factors that would contribute to your stopping or not stopping that would ultimately change your answer?
Creepiness factor. Whether or not they looked like they were on top of things. Although the flagging down part kind of gives it away. Whether I’d be in a situation (as a woman alone) that I couldn’t get out of.
3. If you stopped, would you or would you not give him the money he asked for?
Well. I think I would – $15 is not a terrible lot of money in the grand scheme of things. As long as I had it – I don’t carry a lot of cash. And even if it was a scam, quite frankly, I’d rather err on the side of caution so that if he is telling the truth he has the money.
4. If you gave him the money, would you supply your address?
No. I wouldn’t consider it a loan, I’d consider it a gift.
5. Does time of year or time of day effect your answer?
Nope.
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