greggas
Member
I voted no. Who are we to invade someone's privacy and decide weather or not they are worthy?
If you do not feel comfortable giving to someone when they request it then don't.
I have been amazed during my 20 +/- months on IAP with the generosity of many members. Many of you should be proud. But I have also been equally amazed at times by how often folks have been taken by obvious free-loaders ( for lack of a better term).
I have seen folks ask for handouts and then complain about what they received. I have read posts where people stated that they had no money to buy kits, supplies, etc and in the same post state that they were selling at shows !??! I would always say to myself If you cannot afford to go into business for your self don't go into business for yourself. I even remember the guy last year who posted that he was looking for anything that we could give him because he was out of work and posted a week later that he was going on vacation.
I imagine our perception of this situation may be dependent somewhat on our life experiences and where we live. I have lived in large cities in the northeast most of my life and have much experience with free-loaders, scam artists and thieves so perhaps I am more skeptical than most. I also consider myself very hard working and proud and tend not to ask for help. It is not a bad thing to ask for and not everybody that holds out a hand is scamming. But if you are going to help out with folks that you have never met and do not know if they are even giving you a real name keep in mind that you run the risk of being played,
All that said I reiterate my original point that we really do not have the right to vet out weather someone is "in need" or not. If you are not comfortable just don't do it and donate your time, money or whatever to a cause or person that you are sure of in your own area.
If you do not feel comfortable giving to someone when they request it then don't.
I have been amazed during my 20 +/- months on IAP with the generosity of many members. Many of you should be proud. But I have also been equally amazed at times by how often folks have been taken by obvious free-loaders ( for lack of a better term).
I have seen folks ask for handouts and then complain about what they received. I have read posts where people stated that they had no money to buy kits, supplies, etc and in the same post state that they were selling at shows !??! I would always say to myself If you cannot afford to go into business for your self don't go into business for yourself. I even remember the guy last year who posted that he was looking for anything that we could give him because he was out of work and posted a week later that he was going on vacation.
I imagine our perception of this situation may be dependent somewhat on our life experiences and where we live. I have lived in large cities in the northeast most of my life and have much experience with free-loaders, scam artists and thieves so perhaps I am more skeptical than most. I also consider myself very hard working and proud and tend not to ask for help. It is not a bad thing to ask for and not everybody that holds out a hand is scamming. But if you are going to help out with folks that you have never met and do not know if they are even giving you a real name keep in mind that you run the risk of being played,
All that said I reiterate my original point that we really do not have the right to vet out weather someone is "in need" or not. If you are not comfortable just don't do it and donate your time, money or whatever to a cause or person that you are sure of in your own area.