Comments | ananymous

ananymous_

Dilemma...

Apr 12, 2006 17:01

Last evening as I left work for home contemplating taking a BEST bus instead of the train, I was accosted by a couple of women who looked like workers from a construction site. As soon as I heard them call out to me, I had alarm bells in my head warning me of a con job coming my way ( Read more... )

Comments 17

peeyush April 12 2006, 12:05:51 UTC

There are times when I prefer 'being cheated' feeling then end up with guilty feeling. Me had this incident in bandra. When it happened, I was in two minds. There were doubts. But ultimately I decided to help. That was the first time I encountered such incident and so, I feel, it was a sensible thing to do. Now after hearing repetition of these acts, I have this resistance built up automatically.

My heart pains when I see kids begging and working. I see their childhood stolen. I see them working. So many times, I have closed my eyes and walked away. Can't express the feeling I have about self everytime I do this. I know I am guilty. I feel so weak. I feel so coward.

ananymous_ April 12 2006, 12:12:47 UTC

It's very difficult to sieve the good from the bad at a glance. I guess, not trusting strangers is an inherent defense mechanism. Can't help it.

haricool April 12 2006, 16:05:17 UTC

very right... However it is no harm in helping anyone with food. I always prefer providing them with food, rather than those unemotional metal and paper things that they ask you for... It also gives you a feeling of satisfaction...

shrinath April 12 2006, 14:19:29 UTC

My heart pains when I see kids begging and working. I see their childhood stolen. I see them working. So many times, I have closed my eyes and walked away. Can't express the feeling I have about self everytime I do this. I know I am guilty. I feel so weak. I feel so coward.

Same here. Couldnt have said it better.
Walking away hurts. All he/shes asking for a couple of coins. But is it the right thing to do?

maniabarot April 12 2006, 12:17:08 UTC

Reminiscent of another episode with ananymous_ here

The story seems to have become one of the tools of the trade. It not exactly that we've been caught unaware, but the torn feeling comes from the spirit fighting against turning cynic.

ananymous_ April 12 2006, 12:19:09 UTC

So true! Couldn't have expressed it better!

peeyush April 12 2006, 12:31:39 UTC

Oh... So I had repeated my incident there. I gotta remember not to repeat.

shrinath April 12 2006, 14:27:29 UTC

I think I've seen this earlier in and around andheri. There is at least one more variation - they claim to have come with a dindi. And sometimes ask for ticket money. Watch out.

When I do get into such situation and part with some money, I try not to think of it. I tell myself that I did what i thought was right and to help. If they cheated me its on their account.

_dodo_ April 12 2006, 15:23:19 UTC

I guess people won't ask for food if they have any other option and the amount we spare on them is very small as compared to what we pay for say, a cup cold coffee or a piece of burger. And also there is no way we can get to a conclusion as to whether what we have done is right or not.

But I do come across these people quite often (near kv) but I never stopped as I always have a negative answer for their first question (whether I know marathi?). I did stopped for two three mallus, once at vashi and then at nerul. (I am a regionalist, you know :-))

the_keyman April 13 2006, 04:28:55 UTC

Hi,

I think we (me and Devendra) had met these guys. We were having dinner at zunka bhakar kendra, and one lady started the same stuff... We told her to take some dal and roti and we will pay the bill. Later We found that it was all er family and they had 24 rotis and 4 jira rice and 5 dal fry. Total Cost around 300 Rs. :-)

peeyush April 13 2006, 08:03:41 UTC

300? Now, this is height of all incidents! Spending only 50 bucks makes me feel relatively luckier.

ananymous_ April 13 2006, 08:24:22 UTC

Incidents like these have become so frequent that I'm inclined to think it's a racket of some sort.I've heard similar srories from other peoplpe I know as well.
I recollect one incident where my aunt bought a couple of vada pavs from a very decent stall for an elderly beggar duo when they asked money for food. A little later she saw them throw the vada-pavs into a gutter nearby! She felt so so angry and disgusted that she resolved never to help anyone like that again.

shrinath April 13 2006, 09:59:30 UTC

Not thats really terrible.
I've encountered beggars refusing to accept one rupee - must be common enough.
Guess best to close ones eyes and walk on...

Thread 6