I went home for Thanksgiving this year, it was much needed. On my first night home I stopped to get gas before I visited my boyfriend. It was about 8:30 at night so the gas station was not that crowded. As I was waiting for the price to get close to $25 I noticed a man carrying a gas canister approach me. It was a little unnerving because it was as though he came out from the shadows.
When he came up he kept his distance and politely asked, “Excuse me, could you spare a dollar? I’m trying to get back home.” In my mind, I went back and forth between saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Ultimately, I decided on saying yes and told him that I had five dollars I could spare. When I told him I could give him five dollars he was in slight shock, and his eyes widened a bit. He paused for a moment, then said thank you as I handed him the money. He explained to me that he was trying to get back to Fontana, which is about 30 minutes east of where I live. Given the fact that it was two days before Thanksgiving, there’s no doubt there would be traffic, it would have taken him over 30 minutes for him to reach his destination.
Before he left he said, “thank you” once again and let me know that he was going to ask other people at the gas station for money since he had a long drive ahead of him. Once he left I started to tell myself that I was dumb for giving a total stranger five dollars because I did not know his true intentions with the money. Though, him telling me that he was going to ask others for money gave me a little reassurance.
Right as I was putting the lid back on the gas tank, the man came up to me one more time to say thank you. Though I was still slightly sketched out, I gave half a smile and told him, “You’re welcome. Happy Thanksgiving.” I got back in the car and thought about what I did and what compelled me to give a stranger five dollars. I can say it was the holiday spirit that encouraged me to give the man money; it is a time for giving. Part of me also thought that if I or someone else I know were in his shoes, I would want someone to do the same for them.
As I was driving I gave myself a pat on the back (not literally) for the good deed I had done. I understand that I had no clear way of knowing if the man was being honest or not. For all I know, he could have been at the gas station for over an hour and could have made ten times the amount I had given him. Or, he could have had the intentions of hustling to try and “make” money for the holidays. At the end of it all, I told myself that what that man did with the money was his prerogative. If he truly used the money to put gas in his car then great! If he scammed myself and other people then he’ll get what is coming his way. All I knew was that I could go forth knowing that I tried to do right by somebody.
Unfortunately we do not live in a world where everyone is not honest all the time. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and hope that people don’t take advantage of your kind action. Try that this holiday season, it could leave you feeling positive about yourself.
