Community Chat

[halfpint1]

I go around an outside mall for recylables. People want to give me money but I tell them I do not take money. This elderly lady pushing a handicap cart wanted to. I kept saying no but she would not hear of it. She put the money in my jacket pocket. And said it is a blessing. I am not poor. When I got home it was 6 $1. All I could say I will give it to someone else.

[riley1]

@halfpint1 - hope you are feeling well. Even though you said no, she felt she was doing something nice for you. She probably thought you needed the money because you were going to sell the recyclables. If you want, pay it forward to someone you think needs it.

[vermint]

@halfpint1  Somebody said something once that really resonated with me. It was "if somebody wants to do something nice for you, let them do it!" It makes them feel good. That lady probably walked away with a warm glow around her heart!

[Preds]

@halfpint1 ... you felt uneasy, but I bet that sweet lady felt blessed to be able to share with you.  It gave her a warm feeling I'm sure.  Maybe you can take that money and donate it to a food pantry or animal shelter.  Then you can feel the same blessing she felt.

[deepwaterdotter]

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@Preds wrote:

@halfpint1 ... you felt uneasy, but I bet that sweet lady felt blessed to be able to share with you.  It gave her a warm feeling I'm sure.  Maybe you can take that money and donate it to a food pantry or animal shelter.  Then you can feel the same blessing she felt.

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Excellent suggestion on this #Giving Tuesday, and everyday.

[Porcelain]

If it were me, I would try to figure out a way to communicate to onlookers that I wasn't a homeless person in need, without having to say it every time.

So I'd have a sweatshirt or tshirt printed, saying "Collecting recylcables for the environment (or pet shelters or whatever). Please donate to [insert charity website here]" And a heart or "Bless You" or something. Or I'd have something like a big tie-on marathon number type thing I could put over my coat that said all that. That way people who saw me would be reassured I wasn't in distress and needing help.

And if anyone insisted on giving me money I would have some sort of box or special wallet or envelope I would put it in, and let them know it would go to that charity.

[Lucky Charm]

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@Porcelain wrote:

If it were me, I would try to figure out a way to communicate to onlookers that I wasn't a homeless person in need, without having to say it every time.

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I agree.  

Maybe because of the walk you take and picking up cans, etc.  and I don't know if you push a shopping cart, but it's possible the *look* is why they think that.

So I'd wear a pretty top and pants and some little earrings---all casual looking, but a little more than if I were working in the yard.

One time I made a late nite trip to the post office because I'd been cleaning all day, but had to get a package back. 

I had on a horrible looking outfit, my hair was crazy looking I'm sure and no make up.  I was trying to get my dollar bills to go in the machine with no luck.  So I'm digging in my handbag for crisper bills and a woman walked in and took one look at me and asked me if I needed *help* and she was holding out a 5 or 10 dollar bill.  She had that look of sympathy on her face. 

Normally, I would've busted out laughing.  But I was mortified because I had NO business walking out of the house the way I looked! 

It was pretty bad.

[goldensrbest]

She thought you were homeless,i bet.

[Peaches McPhee]

Sometimes it is nicer and easier to just accept something rather than not.  I have accepting "gifts" from clients that I did not want or need.  But to refuse would have caused them sadness and I don't want to do that.

[ahoymate]

Don't spend your precious time worrying about this. Enjoy!