Comments on: Are You Quick to be a Skeptic? http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/personalprofessional-growth/are-you-quick-to-be-a-skeptic/ Perspective on life less restricted Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:05:24 +0000 hourly 1 By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/personalprofessional-growth/are-you-quick-to-be-a-skeptic/#comment-10312 Matt Cheuvront Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:32:57 +0000 http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/?p=3465#comment-10312 Welcome CJ - I'm glad you stumbled across my humble blog and kudos to Rebecca for providing the indirect introduction. You are exactly right - we are our brother's keeper and it's part of being human to help one another when the situation calls for it. Was I scammed in the situation above? Maybe so - but I don't miss the money - It felt like the right thing to do at the time and I'm going to assume that this guy was actually in need. Welcome CJ – I’m glad you stumbled across my humble blog and kudos to Rebecca for providing the indirect introduction. You are exactly right – we are our brother’s keeper and it’s part of being human to help one another when the situation calls for it. Was I scammed in the situation above? Maybe so – but I don’t miss the money – It felt like the right thing to do at the time and I’m going to assume that this guy was actually in need.

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/personalprofessional-growth/are-you-quick-to-be-a-skeptic/#comment-10311 Matt Cheuvront Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:27:47 +0000 http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/?p=3465#comment-10311 Hah - A machete is usually a pretty good warning sign. In all seriousness, you are completely right here - if we all put a little more trust in one another, if our first response wasn't one of skepticism and pessimism, we would, collectively, be much better off. Thanks for sharing your story! Hah – A machete is usually a pretty good warning sign. In all seriousness, you are completely right here – if we all put a little more trust in one another, if our first response wasn’t one of skepticism and pessimism, we would, collectively, be much better off. Thanks for sharing your story!

]]> By: Cj http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/personalprofessional-growth/are-you-quick-to-be-a-skeptic/#comment-10305 Cj Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:59:02 +0000 http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/?p=3465#comment-10305 Hi Matt, I am following you from Rebecca Thorman-Modite. Personally, I've had to check my cynicism at the door - recently on several occasions I've met with the local "run out of gas" scammer and it's made me jaded to those who are really in need. But there has been a pulling at my heartstrings as I've had flashbacks to an incident. A few years ago there was a young lady with two kids and a broken down car on the side of the road. Thank God we stopped...she was leaving a domestic situation and was on her way to her parents home to begin rebuilding her life. We fed them lunch, the kids played and I personally spoke with her Mom...who was grateful for our assistance. She stayed at the house for about 4 hours before her brothers could pick her up. This incident made me so aware that we are our brother's keeper and with wisdom and discernment we can identify those truly in need versus those that have made "need" an occupation. Matt, this is a great post...I look forward to following you. Hi Matt,
I am following you from Rebecca Thorman-Modite. Personally, I’ve had to check my cynicism at the door – recently on several occasions I’ve met with the local “run out of gas” scammer and it’s made me jaded to those who are really in need. But there has been a pulling at my heartstrings as I’ve had flashbacks to an incident. A few years ago there was a young lady with two kids and a broken down car on the side of the road. Thank God we stopped…she was leaving a domestic situation and was on her way to her parents home to begin rebuilding her life. We fed them lunch, the kids played and I personally spoke with her Mom…who was grateful for our assistance. She stayed at the house for about 4 hours before her brothers could pick her up. This incident made me so aware that we are our brother’s keeper and with wisdom and discernment we can identify those truly in need versus those that have made “need” an occupation. Matt, this is a great post…I look forward to following you.

]]> By: Jaym http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/personalprofessional-growth/are-you-quick-to-be-a-skeptic/#comment-10274 Jaym Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:51:12 +0000 http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/?p=3465#comment-10274 It's always a tough call. When I was in Chicago working (and therefore HAD money- novel idea), there are of course, countless "bums" and others requesting "a few coins". Frankly, because I had the cash, and my nature, I like to be the good guy and I often gave 'em a buck or two- even if I knew that it was probably going to alcohol. I figure that's not my demon to conquer- and just maybe one of 'em will take the money and use it for food or other help. But when it comes to "non-bums"- those unclear situations where you just don't know, is this person scamming me, are they safe, etc. It's so much more difficult. If it's just about giving money, the worst case is losing the cash. When it's REAL questionable is if it's about giving someone a lift. You've heard the stories of attacks from hitchhikers- it's always hazy what to do. I was in Kroger's parking lot once and a young black woman asked me if I could give her a ride home because her grandmother couldn't get to her and she missed her bus or something. My instinct was to decline- I don't know her, she could pull a gun on me, etc. But then I just thought- you know, I'm going to try to be the good guy here and assume the best. I gave her a ride to her front door, and while talking to her on the way there, found out she had a slight mental disorder- I don't know what type, but she was a bit slow and found it hard to formulate sentences easily. But she was a sweet girl that lived with her grandmother and was harmless as a fly. After dropping her off I thought in hindsight that it was MUCH more of a risk for her than me. She had asked a complete stranger in me to take her home- get into my car. She placed a lot of trust in me. I'm 6'1 and 280- I could EASILY have overpowered her- or I could have been a "bad guy" with a weapon. So she was the one taking the risk- though truly I was as well, as I knew none of this beforehand. It comes down to the basic truth: If everyone started to trust in one another more, we might find we become a better nation as a whole. Obviously there's always going to be dangerous people out there, and scammers- but perhaps it's worth losing $20 every so often for the other instances that you truly are helping another person out! Just don't pick up anyone on the side of the road holding an axe or machete. Unless they have a case of Bud Light. It’s always a tough call.

When I was in Chicago working (and therefore HAD money- novel idea), there are of course, countless “bums” and others requesting “a few coins”. Frankly, because I had the cash, and my nature, I like to be the good guy and I often gave ‘em a buck or two- even if I knew that it was probably going to alcohol. I figure that’s not my demon to conquer- and just maybe one of ‘em will take the money and use it for food or other help.

But when it comes to “non-bums”- those unclear situations where you just don’t know, is this person scamming me, are they safe, etc. It’s so much more difficult. If it’s just about giving money, the worst case is losing the cash. When it’s REAL questionable is if it’s about giving someone a lift. You’ve heard the stories of attacks from hitchhikers- it’s always hazy what to do.

I was in Kroger’s parking lot once and a young black woman asked me if I could give her a ride home because her grandmother couldn’t get to her and she missed her bus or something. My instinct was to decline- I don’t know her, she could pull a gun on me, etc. But then I just thought- you know, I’m going to try to be the good guy here and assume the best.

I gave her a ride to her front door, and while talking to her on the way there, found out she had a slight mental disorder- I don’t know what type, but she was a bit slow and found it hard to formulate sentences easily. But she was a sweet girl that lived with her grandmother and was harmless as a fly.

After dropping her off I thought in hindsight that it was MUCH more of a risk for her than me. She had asked a complete stranger in me to take her home- get into my car. She placed a lot of trust in me. I’m 6′1 and 280- I could EASILY have overpowered her- or I could have been a “bad guy” with a weapon. So she was the one taking the risk- though truly I was as well, as I knew none of this beforehand.

It comes down to the basic truth: If everyone started to trust in one another more, we might find we become a better nation as a whole. Obviously there’s always going to be dangerous people out there, and scammers- but perhaps it’s worth losing $20 every so often for the other instances that you truly are helping another person out!

Just don’t pick up anyone on the side of the road holding an axe or machete. Unless they have a case of Bud Light.

]]> By: Matt Cheuvront http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/personalprofessional-growth/are-you-quick-to-be-a-skeptic/#comment-10255 Matt Cheuvront Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:01:36 +0000 http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/?p=3465#comment-10255 Thanks Miguel - good to see you back around these parts. We all inherintley hide behind our own fears, we're constricted and restrained by them - it takes a lot of courage to become vulnerable and to allow others, especially strangers, into our personal lives but it's ultimately the only way we will learn and grow collectively as a society - if we let go of our fears, break free from doubt, and show the courage to let other people in. Thanks Miguel – good to see you back around these parts. We all inherintley hide behind our own fears, we’re constricted and restrained by them – it takes a lot of courage to become vulnerable and to allow others, especially strangers, into our personal lives but it’s ultimately the only way we will learn and grow collectively as a society – if we let go of our fears, break free from doubt, and show the courage to let other people in.

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