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I would have given him the clothes. It seems unlikely that he was a scammer since he didn’t ask for any money from you, and even if he was, he isn’t going to get very far with 1 bag of used clothes; KWIM? Even if the story was fake, he’s got to be in a pretty rough financial situation if he is asking for clothing donations outside of a charity office.

I would have given them to him. It's clothes so it's not like he can go buy drugs with it like he could with cash. Even if his story wasn't true I'm sure he had a bigger need for the clothes than I would... or else he wouldn't have asked for them.

But like Mr. Bee I don't give cash to people on the street unless they are actually selling something.

I definitely would've given him the clothes.

However, I do not give people on the street any money. I work at a very busy train station and have become immune to being asked for money.

I guess I would question, why wasn't he going into the store to get clothes? I assume most charity places make "deals" for those that can't afford to buy stuff. I also know several charities that will offer training and services in exchange for items.

I'm not a fan of supporting illegal immigration.

I absolutely would have given it to him, especially since he was asking for the clothes and not money.

I'm a sucker, too. My philosophy is that whatever they do with it is between them and God, but my conscience is clear because if they really did need the help, I gave what I could.

That said, I've had a couple of people who did ridic things like your example. One really cold day, this guy came up to me in front of Starbucks and asked if I would get him some food and a drink. I said yes thinking I would get him some hot coffee and one of their premade sandwich/fruit trays. He proceeded to rattle off an order that involved a multi-worded description of a frappucino, a brownie, and a cookie. I felt slightly taken advantage of, but I still bought it. Oh well, people need frappucinos and super sugary food too, right? Or something like that...

@Coco Bee: but she donated all of the party dresses. At our goodwill, they give you a blank receipt that you can fill out later. I would have taken the blank receipt and written in all of the items that I "donated" to the family in need, as well as the party dresses. I guess that may not be the case everywhere with the blank receipts?

@mediagirl: Ahhh I see.

I'm cynical so I would assume he was going to sell them. I don't know what I would have done in the situation because I'd still feel bad and I'm bad at confrontation, but I wouldn't have wanted to give them to him.

I also never give money to people on the streets

I would have given him them with resentment...
The thing is: you should do what your kind heart tells you to do and *hope* that the man does what he needs to do...give him the benefit of the doubt.

One time at a hotdog stand in the street, a homeless man asked me for $3 to buy himself some lunch. I was already in line so I said "hold on and I'll just buy it for you" & I did (with a drink). He got all mad and was like "I asked for $3! Not for the hotdog!" and stormed off. I was TRAUMATIZED from this episode for maybe years? I would just be so scared everyone someone asked me for money...but I've gotten better and realized: I still want to be the good guy: even if they aren't.

I would have given him the clothes.
I usually give $ if I have cash and if not Ill offer a water bottle or left over food if I see one after leaving a restaurant.
They have ALWAYS happily taken the food and or water.

I would have given the clothes too but probably put off by it. In LA in college we had a lot of regular beggars so we never gave money but we dropped off backpacks and food. We definitely had several instances where they refused food or asked for something else so I can be a little jaded.