If you just try to bum smokes for free, you'll hear "No" all day. Some would look at smoke in my mouth, or see me holding a pack out in the open (another way to signal), hold up a dollar coin without even asking. Outside of a bar in the evening would be like a gold mine. Nobody ever suspected I was struggling either. Would just blend right in.
Vote begging here comes in a few other forms. Some directly ask, like you've pointed out. Others are playing the victim card, exploiting pity, making others feel sorry for them, playing on their heartstrings. And of course it's all a ruse. Can't be "sick and dying" or experiencing "family emergencies", yet be here daily, for several years, talking about it. Those con artists can be quite convincing though...
That’s some pretty genius tactics you were using.
Maybe I’m cold hearted, but I usually don’t fall for those sympathy stories. There have been only a few that made me want to do what I could to help. Now genuine pain and suffering, that’s totally different and a lot more obvious that it is truthful.
Comes across as genuine when someone is showing signs of struggling, and that's out of character or unusual.
I don't think it's cold hearted. More like it's normal. If every sob story was met with the attraction and help from gullible minds, you'd see a never ending stream of "new accounts" in turmoil surrounded by the help of strangers. That's simply not how life works though.
I think it's wise to always consider every possible outcome including the thought someone might be taking you for a ride. For your own safety as well. Old lady could flag you down, tell you she needs help moving a chair, so you enter her home, and three days later you're still tied up in the basement while some crazy guy prances around wearing only socks.
I remember the last time I fell for this trick. Never again. That basement was cold and smelled god awful.
I know all about it...
https://peakd.com/steemfest/@nonameslefttouse/my-road-to-steemfest-cut-short-why-i-will-not-be-attending-steemfest-in-thailand
🤣 I love it