April,

Yeah, I figured I was taking that too literally! :lol:

Your mom (and you) have a good heart. Many of us drivers do. Unfortunately, the few (?) have ruined it for those who really ARE in need! If "I" were EVER in that situation, I would try MANY of the resources available (including at the HOSPITAL) before trying such a thing as sitting on a bench outside a truckstop.

I will monitor your posts in the family support section, I might also suggest the "women in trucking" one. But, please dont be a stranger here!

I hope you FIND that resource for stranded truckers! If you do, please let us ALL know! And again, IF the driver's story was true.... I appreciate the thoughts of your Mama and YOU! :D

I can't believe I missed this post...I just seen it for the first time! Thank you so much for that kips!!!

I hate to be so skeptical but I have a hard time believing any sob stories I hear. I once had a woman ask me for cash so she could get a bus ticket back to Hawaii. She even had a drivers license from Hawaii to prove to me she was not lying :lol:

I admit I'm a bit of a soft touch, and I must radiate it because every guy or gal within ten miles of a truckstop and an itchy palm would come up to me.
Most of the time I would try to be nice, because I believe all people deserve respect until they stop showing that to you. But the ones I felt were 'genuine' (or maybe just the better of the con men) I would offer to buy a meal for. Not many took me up on it.

My husband was out with his trainer this week for the first time ~ he was approached by some *down on his luck* truck driver who told him he was out of money and hungry (if i remember correctly that was what he told my husband) so Ron being nice and all went ahead and gave the guy 10 bucks thinking the guy would use it for something else other than food but decided he would do it this one time.. maybe its the way the guy looked i donno but none the less ron handed him the cash ~
a few minutes later he saw the guy chowing down on a burger and felt that he did the right thing ~ seems the guy really was hungry and out of cash maybe you know?
until about 5 minutes later the guy was trying to scam his trainer out of some money too.. luckly rons trainer new ron had just given the guy a $10 and told the guy.. didnt my partner just give you some money? the guy looked at him and said *oh he only gave me enough to buy a small burger* yeah :roll:

needless to say he didnt get a dime out of rons trainer.

deff. gotta keep an eye on the sob stories and folks scam'n at the truck stops thats for sure!

There are alot of folks scaming out there... However, there are alot of drivers not doing so well. And even though it may be a little topic, it might help each of us to remember that "but for the grace of God, goes I..." Any one of us could find ourselfs out on our luck, trying to get home.

I think for all of you that are braving the roads, maybe a list of places or groups that can help you out if you find yourself in a jam might be a good thing to have with you.
Just in case. :D :D

Tell them you gave at the office. I do not give money to panhandlers as a rule and they are all panhandlers!

This story reminds me of people standing on a corner with a sign looking for money.

If they'd just go down the street, they could probably get a job holdong a sign for a mattress company..... :lol: :lol:

This also reminds me of a story of a woman with a small child coming up and asking money to feed her child. If I thought for one second, that I let a child go hungry because I said no and had it, i could never forgive myself.

From a little different perspective. A christian one that is, and a bible verse that has always stuck with me. I have seen this many times also. You reap what you sow.

Your mom gave $20 to someone claiming to be in need. Whether they were or not, your mom will reap that back when she is in need. Not only will she reap that back, but more. Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together, and over flowing.

I know all that may sound weird, she will be given back when she least expects it and more than likely when she needs it the most. She may not reap it in money form, but she will reap what she sowed. Recently, I learned you can reap a harvest for what you sowed even seven years ago.

I'm not saying to give to all pan handlers, but when you do give don't beat yourself up when you trusted what the person said, but found out differently.