Saw something sad today in the grocery store...

[karlrschneider]

in the line next to the one I was in...a lady was paying for her stuff with a credit card, it was
declined...she tried another one and it was declined too. My line cleared out and by the time I
had put my stuff on the conveyor she was gone, her full basket was still sitting there.

[Coventina]

1. I fear we are going to be seeing a lot more of this.

*sigh*

[OhioChick]

2. That's commonplace here.

Began seeing it happening several years ago.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. I'd have been hard pressed not to step ahead & pay for them.

I wouldn't want to see that happen to anybody, no matter what.

[karlrschneider]

5. I was actually considering that except for a couple of things

she had a LOT of stuff. If she hadn't scurried away so quick I was intending to call her over to the
side and offer to pay for basic stuff...bread, milk etc. but it was too late anyway. I tried to spot
her in the parking lot but couldn't locate her.

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. I probably would have done the same. How embarrassed

she must have felt. :-(

[Warpy]

8. I made up the difference for a guy last week

It was only change, but he'd bought nothing but food. I really couldn't stand seeing him put something he needed back for less than a buck, so I stepped up. He said he'd mention me in his church on Sunday.

I resisted the impulse to tell him he'd received Christian kindness from an atheist.

[The_Casual_Observer]

10. It's almost a selfish reaction for me. I know how good it feels

inside to get a chance to do these things, even years later when I think about it.

[TahitiNut]

14. It's even better when you never tell anyone.

"Who was that masked man?" "Santa came early this year." :dunce:

[karlrschneider]

17. I agree with that but it might motivate others to help out.

I guess it might seem a little like bragging or too prideful but isn't that better than doing nothing?
A tough call, ISTM...

[TygrBright]

13. Warpy... you got more Christian kindness than a LOT of "Christians" n/t

[Iris]

20. yeah, but take it in the spirit it is intended. He was giving you all he

had to give.

[Warpy]

21. I know

which is why I kept my big fat mouth shut, for once.

[Iris]

22. I hear ya!

I don't always practice what I preach! But I try!

[Rosemary2205]

11. I did that recently and got a valuable lesson in the process

I am about to file for bankruptcy becuase of medical bills and confined to a wheelchair but when I saw a mom with 2 little kids having to walk away from a cart full of basic food items (no junk) I stepped up and offered to pay for her most pressing items along with my own groceries and she accepted through tears.

We went out in the parking lot and she put her groceries into her pimped out Lincoln Navagator that was full of bags from that day's shopping spree. I immediately felt pissed off and Fat mouth that I've always been I just had to make a snotty comment along the lines of "nice car, wish I could afford one". Turns out she's supplementing the family income as a personal shopper for other people. The Navagator was paid for back in the days when her CEO type husband was working - he's been fighting a rare cancer for over 2 years. They have already sold their home and moved into a friend's house, and she's trying to talk husband into letting her sell the Navagator and get something cheaper but he's not willing to let it go saying it's all he has left.

I got a real reminder than judging other's is just plain wrong.

[lumberjack_jeff]

15. Amazing story. Thanks! n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. That was a valuable lesson. Good of you to pay for her groceries.

Especially in light of your current situation. :yourock: I hope the best for you. :hug:

[livetohike]

4. I saw the same thing in a grocery line on Friday. The guy tried

four different cards before one "took". Very sad. I have paid for groceries with the debit card before, but usually just pay cash.

[Bitwit1234]

7. Same Here

I saw a woman at a small general store get declined with her check, then her credit card and she finally had to pay with the cash she had in her pocket. I really felt bad. It was milk, bread, cereal and some other staples. I was glad she had the money, but I wondered to my self what couldn't she now pay.

[louis-t]

9. What state? I am sick of hearing how "every other state is booming

besides Michigan." That's the Repug talking point in the Mich. governor's race.

[karlrschneider]

18. Oklahoma. The economy here is just so-so.

We don't make 'hugh' money but the cost of living is pretty low.

[Digit]

12. That is so sad. I had been trying to help out seniors by leaving coupons

Tuesday is Seniors day at Krogers and when clipping coupons, I clip additional ones and leave around the store on the shelf next to the item. There are always so many coupons for OTC medicines and such that I would never use. I do the same for baby items such as diapers.

It is just criminal what is happening to our citizens.

[DaveJ]

16. Bad for her, but great for the "economy"

The stores got their money for all those purchases on credit, and think of all the interest and late fees the credit card companies will collect, and the higher interest rates she will be charged from now on because she is poor and will have bad credit. Plus, if she doesn't already own a home, well guess what, now she probably never will! She will be a serf for the remainder of her life. Isn't life great! (Economic cannibalism is grotesque.)