Do you give to panhandlers?

[ecstatic]

24. for safety reasons, no. I don't like to be approached in that way

but I don't carry cash anyway. Cautionary tale: One guy in an SUV pulled up to the pump next to me with loud music playing, jumped out the car and asked me to "borrow" money. I was at the outermost stall and blocked from view and the music prevented anyone from hearing what was happening.

I told him I didn't have cash, he asked me to use my card to buy his gas! I said no. He came back again! I said no again and then when he approached for the third time, I had a sinking feeling that I was about to get robbed. However, I think he assessed the scene and chickened out because I (nervously?) smiled at him the 3rd time and told him I was sorry?? Plus I don't keep anything in my hands when getting gas--key and card is in my pocket (tight jeans) and my purse and everything else was in the car, doors locked. There was nothing he could really do because he didn't know where anything was or what I may have had waiting in my car if he tried to force me to open it.

Anyway, the lesson here is you don't want to be distracted or pulling out money in a public place, and never park at the outer gas pump stalls.

That said, I'm glad your story worked out. I've helped in other ways but I haven't given out cash in years.