Case study: It was when I was still working with my first part time job. That time I was on my way to catch another bus at Pudu to go back to my workplace, there was a lady stop me and ask if I can speak Mandarin, I thought that she need help for translation so I tried to listen to her. Then she look like really pity, in hurry and almost cry (this triggered my nerve!), telling me that she come from some place from North Malaysia and to work in a factory, and the boss has not pay the salary for months and now that she cannot survive like this anymore, so she wanted to go home but no money so ask if I have RM20 that I can give her so that she can go home.
The first time met this situation, so without second thought, I take out RM 15 (I am also very poor and first time working only. LOL!) and thought that it could at least help a little. But after I take out my money and the lady go away, then only got one Taxi drive notice this and shout at the lady, then tell me this little innocent girl that this lady is there everyday begging for money and tell the same story to everyone. He even wanted to help me to chase after that lady and when I become awaken after his reminder I saw the lady walk far away like a boss and the "pity" look no more already.
Lesson LEARNT.
It happened again two years later. This time an uncle. I remember the timing because it was my second time working part time before I got an offer from university. I was waiting in Pudu again for the transit to my workplace. Sitting at the bench with people around. (I think I am becoming smarter, at least don't be alone).
Different people, happened in the same area and almost the same story. Just that that was a very hot day. Maybe? I was in the waiting area only, but the uncle approach me to ask if I can squeeze a space for him to sit and he was really sweating. Then he started to tell me the same story line. Yeah, after two years!
This time, instead of having the same sympathy, I only wanted to run away from that scene and started to hold my luggage tight. I cannot simply go away or go down to the bus arrival as there is still a while to go for my bus to come. And disregard whether the story is true or not I refuse to give out a single cent.
Outcome: Trust once broken, never easily build again. In fact this happening everywhere I went. A few times in Penang bus station and we see the same one asking for money saying his motorbike run out of petrol and ask for a few ringgit. But tak kan you everyday use motorbike and we pay the bill for you.
