Emotions Always Win !

I hate beggary, and I never give money to beggars. Because the more we give to these, the less would they strive to get a real job, they'll become role models of easy moneymaking to others and the wheel would spin off. So I was recently surprised by myself, that I gave some cash to a guy. Imagine the situation: I just bough a sandwich and was having it as my dinner in a railway station hall, while a man approaches me and starts his pitiful story: "he came to the city with his wife to get his broken leg checked by a doctor, their car was towed, he lost a wallet and now they don't have money - neither to pay the fine and get the car back, or buy a train ticket to get home".

It's quite typical, I know - I hear you saying that. Quite obvious deception which only naive would trust. But the guy was nicely dressed, nothing like that common, dirty and smelly homeless-like look, he had his leg broken and in plaster, and he was very, very polite, used very proper language and promised several times that he'll return the money by sending a check as soon as they get back home (he had obviously no clue that I'm a foreigner). He also said that whatever amount is greatly appreciated, as he'll be closer to his goal (btw, I'm completely sure of this!). I gave him two dollars.

Why? Honestly - I don't know!

Something sub-conscious must have worked, when I now think about it, I realize that it was the whole chain of circumstances which led me to this decision. I was alone in a foreign country for a while, not really in a great mood - rather abandoned, sorrowful and mushy. I was tired from walking the city the whole day, and the only thing I was thinking about was to get to the destination as soon and as quietly as possible. And in this mood, I really felt sorry for the guy - albeit the fact I knew on the spot he fabricated the entire story. There was no "what if it's true" in my mind, I just felt sorry for him, gave him the 2 bucks and sent him away with his blessings. It was pure emotions what worked - no rational thinking in place.

After all, it leads me to a thought that despite some of our principles are concrete-strong, we might sometimes succumb to break them if emotions take their control.