Would you give money to an online friend?

[Debbie913]

Would you ever give money to an online friend?

I've known this person online for around 6 months and she is going homeless and needs money. Should I give this person some money?

Would you if an online friend asked for some?

Would I ever? Yes, I would and have.
Do you know for sure this person is really having these troubles? Can you afford to give her money without causing yourself a hardship? I guess that's what you need to decide so as to prevent causing yourself bad feelings. Money can cause bad feelings.
I have to add...I'd be less apt to give if someone I couldn't be sure of asked. If I felt like I wanted to help someone I knew was in trouble, I'd feel better to offer. I suppose in my head that would feel less like someone taking advantage of a kindness.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[CrimsonKingAH]

I also want to know what this person is doing to help themselves or do they just expect people to help them. Are they actively looking for a job? Are they treating the 'looking for a job' like a job, or just randomly asking people if they are hiring and putting an application in here and there.. ya know? I will help IF they are helping themselves. Any job is better than no job.

 

[mcpon14]

Well . . . this person didn't ask. She just said that she was going through a bad spot and had tried committing suicide earlier that day. I pried so she opened up on the troubles that she had, which was that she was going to go homeless, her parents won't take her in, her boyfriend's parents won't take her in and she doesn't want to go to a shelter for some reason.

All in all, I decided against it because she specifically didn't ask.

Thanks for the responses you guys.

 

[GNTLGNT]

Well . . . this person didn't ask. She just said that she was going through a bad spot and had tried committing suicide earlier that day. I pried so she opened up on the troubles that she had, which was that she was going to go homeless, her parents won't take her in, her boyfriend's parents won't take her in and she doesn't want to go to a shelter for some reason.

All in all, I decided against it because she specifically didn't ask.

Thanks for the responses you guys.

...wise decision......very wise.....that is human dynamite right there....

 

[AnnaMarie]

I think GNTLGNT may be thinking the same thing I am. (Not sure, apologies to the giant if I'm wrong. )

People who take advantage of kind hearts on the Internet do not always outright ask. Right or wrong, and maybe dependent exactly where they live, it isn't a crime to accept the thousands of dollars you convince someone to send under false pretences, it's only a crime if they clearly ASK for the money.

~~~

Of course, it is also quite possible (and maybe even probable) that she is not trying to get money, and having a compassionate and caring person to talk to was what she needed. I have often been willing to give my time for someone I consider an on-line friend.

 

[GNTLGNT]

I think GNTLGNT may be thinking the same thing I am. (Not sure, apologies to the giant if I'm wrong. )

People who take advantage of kind hearts on the Internet do not always outright ask. Right or wrong, and maybe dependent exactly where they live, it isn't a crime to accept the thousands of dollars you convince someone to send under false pretences, it's only a crime if they clearly ASK for the money.

~~~

Of course, it is also quite possible (and maybe even probable) that she is not trying to get money, and having a compassionate and caring person to talk to was what she needed. I have often been willing to give my time for someone I consider an on-line friend.

...you're right ma'am.....

 

[RandallFlagg19]

Give money if you want to give money; if you don’t want to give money then don’t; do not give money out of any since of guilt or obligation ( I am talking about donating, there are other times when you are obligated legally or ethically to give money i.e jobs / child support


When you give money, know that you are giving it away; meaning once you have given it to somebody it’s not your choice on how it gets spent and you have no power over how it gets spent


Trust a Stranger sometimes, interesting idea isn’t it.

If a homeless and unemployed person ask for money for food and shelter and you give them $50 and they spend it one drugs and alcohol, then you lost $50 big deal.


If you give somebody $ for food and shelter and they get themselves food and shelter, good deal you didn’t get ripped off


If you give somebody $ for food and shelter and they feed and shelter themselves and somebody else, even better deal.


If you feed somebody homeless and unemployed and they later become successfully employed and start a food drive and soup kitchen, very good deal.


If you feed someone now and you find yourself starving later in life, you will at least know that sometimes starving people get hot meals from good strangers.


Be suspicious of the world and hold on to what you have; be faithful of the good in the world and throw your money and resources out there and watch them grow into something great.

 

[Spideyman]

Give money if you want to give money; if you don’t want to give money then don’t; do not give money out of any since of guilt or obligation ( I am talking about donating, there are other times when you are obligated legally or ethically to give money i.e jobs / child support


When you give money, know that you are giving it away; meaning once you have given it to somebody it’s not your choice on how it gets spent and you have no power over how it gets spent


Trust a Stranger sometimes, interesting idea isn’t it.

If a homeless and unemployed person ask for money for food and shelter and you give them $50 and they spend it one drugs and alcohol, then you lost $50 big deal.


If you give somebody $ for food and shelter and they get themselves food and shelter, good deal you didn’t get ripped off


If you give somebody $ for food and shelter and they feed and shelter themselves and somebody else, even better deal.


If you feed somebody homeless and unemployed and they later become successfully employed and start a food drive and soup kitchen, very good deal.


If you feed someone now and you find yourself starving later in life, you will at least know that sometimes starving people get hot meals from good strangers.


Be suspicious of the world and hold on to what you have; be faithful of the good in the world and throw your money and resources out there and watch them grow into something great.

RandallFlagg19 - truer words have never been spoken, my friend. Your post touched my heart and being. You are a wise and giving soul. Thank you for being you.

 

[RandallFlagg19]

RandallFlagg19 - truer words have never been spoken, my friend. Your post touched my heart and being. You are a wise and giving soul. Thank you for being you.

Thank you for being you, and for being my friend

 

[mcpon14]

...wise decision......very wise.....that is human dynamite right there....

Thanks.

 

[Patricia A]

Thanks.

Sometimes you just have to say a thing (or write it) and see it outside of your own inside thoughts. You got a range of answers to your question, but ultimately you made the decision your own heart led you to. Things look clearer in outside light. At least, that's always been true for me.

 

[mcpon14]

Sometimes you just have to say a thing (or write it) and see it outside of your own inside thoughts. You got a range of answers to your question, but ultimately you made the decision your own heart led you to. Things look clearer in outside light. At least, that's always been true for me.

Well said.

 

[mcpon14]

And thanks you guys for the responses.

 

[Tery]

When you give money, know that you are giving it away

This. I have given money to online friends. I have given to crowd sourcing, too. I get something from both. From crowd sourcing, I have received a CD and a book. But from giving to online friends, I get nothing but a wonderful feeling. I'll take that.

 

[king family fan]

I would give to anyone in need as long as I am not taking away from my familys needs.Nothing better than helping out others when you can.