A Man Knocks On The Door......

[Smowball]

A young man knocks on the door. I vaguely recognise him from seeing him up the local shops a few times. Never causing any trouble, just walking about. His clothes have seen better days and he looks pretty scruffy.
Am waiting for him to ask for money, but instead he says do you have any food you could spare? I’m starving. This completely threw me, but I said hang on wait there. I obviously shut the door whilst I went to the kitchen and put some food and a drink in a carrier bag for him.
Went back to door expecting him to have vanished but there he was standing patiently. Gave him the bag and he kept thanking me and then walked off.

What would you have done?

[david small]

Sqad made me chuckle. Smow your a kind soul, and the world needs lots of Smows. Good for you.

[Sqad]

Why would anybody "know" Smow? Most people have never met her nor communicated with her, so we give our opinions on what she writes.
I agree with RR 0520 and 0609.
She is the "sweetest person" "a lovely person" is meaningless only to the person who said it and that person has every right to say it..............but still just a personal opinion.

Bloody cheek to those who said that because we wouldn't give food to some stranger, we were thoughtless, heartless and uncaring, stupid comments , as many of us in that category do MORE for the underprivileged than most.........but just don't announce it publicly.

[Rockrose]

Goodness Spicerack and Sqad you have made my Monday!!

Most people do good deeds they don't feel the need to broadcast them.

[spathiphyllum]

In all honesty.. i probally wouldn’t have answered the door.. if i had done, my answer would probally have been no. I’d have been scared he’d return

[hc4361]

Every AB regular (and Smow is one) knows not to post about any 'good deed' looking for praise.
More likely to be called a do-gooder, naive, stupid. Told that they're asking for trouble, could have been robbed, raped or murdered.

I would have used my judgement and either shut the window on him (I never open my door to unexpected callers), given him food to take away or given him a hot drink and food to eat in my garage.

[anneasquith]

He’ll be back. !!!!.

[1ozzy]

//Most people do good deeds they don't feel the need to broadcast them.//

Most people also look after their own health, but don't feel the need to broadcast it.

Before and after pictures posted here?

""Hey, look at me, how good am I""

Looking for acceptance after finally doing something good for oneself?

Then post demeaning comments towards others that did a good deed for a stranger.

How shallow are some?

[jennyjoan]

Smowball was not looking for accolades - she was merely asking what would somebody else do. That's all.

I too would have done the same thing but on reading these posts - it will make me wonder if there is a time for me because I generally never shut my door on anybody's face whilst I would look for food. Now I will close the door so it's been food for thought - pardon the pun .

[spathiphyllum]

I just think, if you give him food and drink, then what's stopping him from coming back? You've then got yourself into an unintentional support system for this chap who now knows you'll hand over if need be. I mean.. i'm all up for helping people and sharing etc.. But i think you make yourself a target for reoccurring begging at the door if you hand over.

[gness]

I read your OP exactly ast Ozzy did at 06.28, Smow and it's made me think...what would I have done.

Well he would certainly not have been ignored or turned away because of his appearance....would he have been invited in for a meal and maybe a bath and some clean clothes?
Yes, he probably would.

I will be interested to know if he does come back, Smow. I doubt it. The few homeless folk I've had dealings with have been okay people just very, very down on their luck.....and looking back at my teenage years....there but for the grace of a kind lady who took me in could I have gone.....x

[maggiebee]

Well done Smow. It's wonderful to see that there is still compassion in the world despite what we read.

[NellieMay]

I would have done the same and, knowing me, would start a conversation with him about his circumstances. Like Barmaid, I live quite remotely and it's very rare to see anybody except the postman and delivery men, or invited guests. Probably, I don't anticipate problems because I rarely come across crime or aggression here. I tend to trust people.

[spathiphyllum]

Isn't that more of a cause for concern.. Why would a homeless person who is broke and hungry be in a remote area?

How did they get there?

Maybe because they know those nice village folk have that fresh made bread on the windowsil.

[spathiphyllum]

I wonder how many other door were knocked. Maybe people would say no i haven't got a sandwich but here is £5 go and get a meal deal and keep the change for a new Tshirt from F&F

[justwilliam]

Charged him 5p for carrier bag

[-Talbot-]

I reckon this homeless bloke has been posting on Smow's computer and Answerbank account.