Charity?

When strangers approach you for money, do you usually give it to them? I mean, there ARE people who are really in need of it and are driven to desperation to simply ask for it..But that said, there are others who ask more in hope than in desperation..So how do you separate the genuine cases from the "fakes"? Let's see how addy copes in such situations..

Scenario 1:
Just today i met this man who came up to me and told me a very unlikely story..Apparently, he boarded a wrong bus (conveniently the Express service) from jurong, ended up near my house - which conveniently is FAR from jurong and had no money to get back to jurong..

addy's reaction:
Now, the reason one takes a bus is to get to another place to do something so logically speaking, you'd come out with either an EZLink card or at least a little cash on you..Secondly, if you've boarded the wrong bus, instincts will tell you to alight immediately and not when you've reached the other end of the island! so addy's verdict is "No!"

Scenario 2:
Was on my way home from McDonald's near my house (again!) when this girl approached me for $1 to get herself a drink..she wore an earpiece and was carrying a plastic bag with a bottle of Pringles..$1 was a small sum so i didn't mind giving it to her so i asked her where did she stay..and it turned out only a few blocks away..

addy's reacion:
Firstly, if you could buy a bottle of Pringles (for $2+) why couldn't you get yourself a drink? Or if you came out with a limited amount of cash, settle for some less expensive potato chips and get a drink! The second thing was that she stayed nearby, why couldn't she go home and get the money or get a drink when she reached home? addy's verdict, "No!"

Scenario 3:
Was at East Coast Park one day when this man came up to me and asked for $2.

addy's reaction:
I just gave it to him..

So why did i react the way i did in the third case? God only knows..but there are lots of such people around and it's not always possible to differentiate the fakers..Rather, it's more up to one's judgement and good nature to decide whether or not to part money to that stranger however big or small the amount..

Note: All scenarios are based on real life experiences..Any similarities to anyone is purely coincidental..Exact names and races have been withheld to prevent any racial discord and/ or political implications..Thank you!