From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: What would you do if you were approached on a busy street by a well-dressed stranger who said he’d lost his wallet and asked apologetically if you could give him $9.85 to buy a train ticket? What if instead you were approached for a handout by a haggard-looking stranger claiming to be hungry and unable to find a job?

These situations can make you feel conflicted, unsure if you’re being scammed or if this person genuinely needs help. For me, there’s an extra layer of awkwardness because I rarely carry cash. I’m part of that modern breed that pays for everything with cards and mobile wallets.

So what do you do when one of these folks approaches you, but you don’t have any dollar bills to spare?

Well, let’s take the well-dressed guy asking for $9.85 for a train ticket first. Part of me wants to believe his story, but the cynic in me wonders if I’m being taken for a ride (pun very much intended). I politely explain that I don’t carry cash but offer to buy him a ticket from the station kiosk if he’s still nearby. 9 times out of 10, they’ll mumble something about the kiosk being too far and slink away, train ticket apparently no longer needed. That just confirms my suspicion that it was a scam all along.

Now what about the haggard stranger claiming hunger and joblessness? This one really tugs at the heartstrings. Again, I explain the no cash situation but offer to take them to the nearest fast food place and buy them a meal. I figure if they’re truly in need, they’ll accept the offer of food graciously. More often than not though, they turn it down, suddenly remembering another appointment they have to get to.

Look, I’m not saying everyone who asks for money on the street is a scammer. I’m sure some people are genuinely down on their luck and in dire need of help. But repeatedly being turned down when I offer food or services instead of cash makes me quite skeptical.

If you’re ever in a similar bind of being asked for money you don’t have on you, feel free to try out my methods and see how they go. Or let me know in the comments if you have other strategies for dealing with these situations!

At the end of the day, we all have to decide when and how to lend a helping hand. Just don’t beat yourself up if you can’t give cash readily. Sometimes a kind word, an open mind, and a bit of common sense wisdom are the best “currencies” we have.

Feature Photo by Ketut Subiyanto