Strange Question

Teddy917

I just want some opinions on if I did the right thing here.

A month or so ago, I was sitting at the bus stop waiting for the bus. A man, who I had never met before, came up to me and handed me a twenty. At first I started to say that I wasn't poor and didn't need it but after getting out "I don't need . . ." I felt awkward and just said thank you.

A little bit of extra (possibly unnecessary) information: The stop where I was waiting is right by a gas station and therefore, a popular place for those down on their luck to hold up a sign asking for money. I am probably (since I don't know their situations) as poor as any of them, however I was earning minimum wage and it was still a week or so until my next payday and I didn't have any more money to for my lunch until then. I also gave some to a person that I saw with a sign on that corner later on, which I usually do anyway, but felt even more strongly to do because of this.

How would you Knottiest have handled it?

theartistformerlyknownas

Unless you actually were holding a sign asking for money, it sounds like he was just trying to do a random act of kindness. I'd have paid it forward when I was able, which it sounds like you did.

Sugargirl1019

I would have accepted and tried to pay it forward in the future. If you didn't need it, I would have given it to someone in need that day.

JCbride2015

That is really strange.  I would have probably did what you did: protested and tried to return it, but if the guy insists or just walks away, try to pay it forward.

larrygaga

It's kind of an dick move on his end to give it someone not asking for it openly.

Aray82

My dad once snuck a $100 Bill into the diaper bag of a mom who looked tired and bedraggled. He had no way of knowing whether she was in need, but he just wanted to and it was nearing Christmas. Similarly, this man had no idea of your situation so it's not like he gave under false pretenses. I would have paid it forward, which you did.

lyndausvi

sounds like a random act of kindness.  I would have taken the money then when I had a little extra I would pay if forward.

If been known to pay for some college kids round of drinks or other random acts of kindness things.  I feel that random acts of kindness do not belong solely to the "down and out".   Being kind to someone just because often results in people paying it forward.

Teddy917

larrygaga said:

It's kind of an dick move on his end to give it someone not asking for it openly.

That's what I thought. I know he meant to be nice and it did help me. But it had me questioning if I looked like I was in need of it. Like if my clothes looked as bad as some people that I've seen.

theartistformerlyknownas

Teddy917 said:

larrygaga said:

It's kind of an dick move on his end to give it someone not asking for it openly.

That's what I thought. I know he meant to be nice and it did help me. But it had me questioning if I looked like I was in need of it. Like if my clothes looked as bad as some people that I've seen.

I think that's really silly. Just let people do nice things!

Kahlyla

^ Yup! He may have even been doing a "Random Acts of Kindness" challenge or partaking in a study (I literally just finished a course on The Science of Happiness and these are real things). Just accept it and pay it forward!

wandajune6

I think it sounds like a sweet gesture. I also think you handled it perfectly!