Please, can you enter my pin number...?
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
Philippines
April 12, 2007 10:10am CST
This morning, I was waiting for my brother in front of a bank. Customers kept rushing in and out, in a hurry to finish their errands before the bank's closure. It was hot and sunny. Therefore, I decided to rest under the shade near the ATM's booth.
An old man, in the mid fifties to sixties, I think, arrived and casually went to the Automated Teller Machine. I didn't payed much attention to him. Because, maybe , he would got a wrong idea about me, like being a look out or an accomplice of a holdaper etc.. (^^,LOL) So, I politely turned my back to him.
As I was trying to look away, nonchalant and unconcerned. To my surprise, the old man tapped me gently on my shoulder. And he said: " Miss, can you enter my pin number please? And the amount I am going to withdraw too?" I was stunned and speechless. And he added, " I forgot my glasses." I quite recovered my composure, and proceeded to help him out. He was thankful and happy. He even proposed to give me a bill for helping him out. I gently refused and I said it was my pleasure to help him.
What will you do if you were in my shoes or in his situation? Was he careless? I was just thinking what if he asked someone with some mischievous plans? What would have happened to him? (??,)
24 people like this
45 responses
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I probably would of did the same thing as you and help him. Yes this man was very careless he should of known better to give out his pin number. But there are still people out there that trust others.
Now if that was me I would of went back home and got my glasses.
That is good for this man to pick out someone honest as you were.
5 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
To trust his pin number and the money he withdrawed, very careless. But I feel happy and I help him out. It would be sad if bad persons would have take advantage of him.
Thank you for sharing too Babystar. Hope you have a nice day! (^^,)
3 people like this
@kaplya (1578)
• India
12 Apr 07
i think that man was rather too trusting. but it could be also that he found something on ur appearance which made him think that u could be trusted:) the experience of years must have given him that quality to recognize people. or maybe he didn't keep much amount in his account that's why he didn't care.hahaha
if i was in ur place i would have lended him my own glasses or someone else's lol because i just couldn't trust myself on such matters!;)
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
Indeed my friend, I do remember he has a huge amount of money there. I don't know maybe my angelic face appealed to him. (^^,LOL) Just kidding. Well, I hope it won't happen to me again, because it was a quite stressful experience too. A very huge sudden responsibility. Phew! I'm happy nothing wrong happen. Thank you my friend for sharing! Have a nice day! *hugz*(^^,)
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
I hope too he won't do it again, poor him if he choose the wrong person. Especially that the bank is situated by a busy road, someone on a motorbike could have disapeared with his money so quickly. (^^,)
3 people like this
@lossforredwords (3620)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Well he sure did a wrong move but I think he is in a desperate moment to ask you for that favor. I think you did the right thing to do in helping the old man cause if not he may have search other person for the favor that might have abuse that trust.
He is lucky to find you there.
If that happens to me I think I will do the same but only if I I can see that he is really in need.
4 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
He was really in need. And he looked almost childlike when he asked me to help him. I was lucky too to have an opportunity to help others. Thank you for sharing too Lossforredwords! (^^,)
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
12 Apr 07
WOW, what an experience!
But what could happen to you anyway? And that old man was sure one trusting guy... he is practically opening his house wide and asking you to rob him. You sure must look like an angel for him to trust you thus! :P
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Apr 07
Good thing it didn't turn out bad. :P
1 person likes this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
What a day really! I was kind of afraid too, that he asked for my help and the other second, he might call me a holdapper. Something like that.(^^,LOL) Well, maybe, such an angelic face of mine. *bow* Thank you, thank you.. Just kidding! But thank you my Lord, I feel so grace by your response.! Have a nice day! (^^,)
2 people like this
@smellsyummy (635)
• United States
12 Apr 07
Yes, I think he was being careless and I also think that had he asked the wrong person, they could have taken advantage of him, for sure.
How did he get to the bank? Did you see him driving?
If so, I think I would have asked him that if he can't see well enough to enter his numbers without glasses(and they are fairy large at ATM's) then what the heck is he doing driving without his glasses?
4 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
I think he only used public transportation. Because as he left he didn't got into a car. He just walked and ride a "jeepney" like a sort of minibus here in the Philippines. (^^,)
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
I haven't got the heart to lecture him about the situation. I felt like maybe he knew what he was doing and was used to it already. Well, I hope he won't do it, with thieves or holdapers, persons with bad intentions. Thank you for sharing Asylum! Have a nice day! (^^,)
2 people like this
@Stephanie5 (2946)
• United States
13 Apr 07
Doesn't it feel great to help someone out! Even if it is something small. I would of done the same as you if I were in your situation. And I suppose if I wwere in his situation...it would depend on what you look like,lol. I think he was kind of careless, but not in a bad way. He's just trusting and hopefully no harm EVER comes from that. That is great that you helped him out! What comes around, goes around....:-)
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Thanks Stephanie. I hope he won't do it again and if ever that as you said no harm ever comes to him. Have a nice day!(^^,)
2 people like this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Oh, for a while there, I thought the old man is tricking you or something. Its fortunate that you're still in one piece, LOL.
I'm amazed that he trusted you to help him out. What if you turned out to be a bad girl. Don't get me wrong here, sweetie. We both should admit that there are a lot of jerks roaming around ATM ready to hold up anyone who is withdrawing money.
Its a good thing you are such a good soul. Continue doing good deeds and you will be rewarded. :)
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Yes, I agree with you Bunnycharms. I thought of it too. But happily, nothing bad happened to me and to him. Hay! And thank you. You're too kind to me. Continue the good deeds too! (^^,)
1 person likes this
@geeta151 (312)
• India
13 Apr 07
I feel the man must have jujged you by your looks and he may have the experience ,as you said he was old;also some people have this tendency of believing in others very quickly.I am of the belief that you will get whatevre you deserve ,may be late but you will get it for sure.Also you will surely get what you deserve come what may!it was good that you helped him ,I believe every good deed is rewarded in some way or the other.
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Oh thank you Geeta! I feel so bless after reading your post. And I think I am more bless because I help someone in need. My honor to do so. Thank you for the kind words! Keep up the good deeds too! (^^,)
1 person likes this
@deepti15 (1190)
• India
13 Apr 07
You did a good deed. Imagine your own father or grandfather at that old mann's place. You would have wanted someone to help them, right, so why not help someone.
Actually with elder citizens, or people with the age other side of 50 group generally have this memory lapse, or sort of they become forgetful. its age thats is playing games with themelse why would someone come all the way to a bank or ATM without the spectacles.
Yes if it would have been that some mischievious person would have got hold of the old persons card, god forbid, I feel so sorry for the old person already.
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
That's the way I thought about him for a while. Like my father asking for a stranger's help. And I wouldn't like my father to be harm by anyone. And I would have felt really sorry if I didn't help him. I agree with you Deepti. Keep up the good deed too! And thank you for sharing! (^^,)
1 person likes this
@Tir_Na_nOg (508)
• Ireland
12 Apr 07
I think I would have been a bit wary and asked him a few questions first. I would also have asked him if there was not a bank nearby that he could go to. After my curiosity was statisfied, I suppose I would have reluctantly keyed in his pin number and the amount he asked to be withdrawn but I am a real suspicious so I think I would also have gone into a bank and told them what I had done...just in case the card had been reported stolen.
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Hmmm?! Good point Tir_na_nog. I never thought about the stolen card scenario. I primaly thought of the screaming for help and he would end up pointing me out to be the thief something like that. Thank you for adding to the discussion! Have a nice day! (^^,)
1 person likes this
@WanderZ (107)
• Singapore
12 Apr 07
If i was you, i would further consider the bill, but i guess your way was the right one. I'm sure he is either very careless or he is doing some sort of test on you. He might be someone very sane and not as blind as you think and just trying to catch you for stealing his money, if you listened to your devil instead of your angel. The more possible way is that the person he approached withdrew more than the old man's amount and ran away, as he could not see the face very well, but i'm sure if he goes after you many would aid the old guy.
4 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
There is a possibility too, that someone is just waiting near by and will just jump on their motorbike, and there the money will be gone. The bank is situated along a busy one way road. So you can imagine the flow. Well, the bill would have come very handy but I didn't felt the heart to accept it. I'm just happy I helped him. Thanks for sharing too Wanderz! (^^,)
4 people like this
@sid_superman (2)
•
12 Apr 07
I think that you did a wonderful job by doing that and the old man was also lucky.
But be careful, sometimes there r people who cheat you
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Yes, I thought of it too. Like a please help scenario, that will end in screaming for help because he would said I was robbing him. That's why I was so confused in the first place. But happily it ended well, and I was happy to help him. thanks for sharing too Sid! Have a nice day! (^^,)
2 people like this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
12 Apr 07
I think you already know what could happen to people that are that trusting. I love to know that you did help him out
He was obviously in need of help and he made it pretty clear to you he did appreciate your act of kindness. Thank You for not expecting payment. It's nice we can be of help and not expect a reward each time, besides you'll one day be paid for all the kind things you do. I hope the silly fool remembers his glasses most times because that is foolish to think all people are honest. I feel lucky to have you on my list of friends, I love good people.
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
Thank you Grandma! Your post warmed my heart. And I agree with you, with good deeds come greater rewards. And I also thought back then I would treat him like I would treat my own relatives or friends. Because you don't want them to be harm. But I also hope he'll be more careful next time. Especially with our present times, it is good to be precautious. Thank you again Grandma! I feel more lucky to have help someone in need. (^^,)
2 people like this
@bluewings (3857)
•
12 Apr 07
lol,It's so easy to mistake people for what they are or are not :-P If I was in your shoes ,I'd have reacted exactly the same way from beginning to the end i.e from the initial surprise to the help.However,I might have asked him playfully to pay me the bill for the help :-P (not accepting it for real though) or mentioned the card number and the pin number while giving it back and politely share my views on this.Nop,even if I couldn't operate the ATM card I'd not have asked a stranger to help me out(I think)(!!,)lol,unless I was in real crisis.
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
I would rather ask a bank employee. I don't know maybe part of my charming personality. (^^,LOL) Just kidding. Well, I haven't got the heart to lecture him about not to do it again. I think and I hope he would be more careful next time. Thank you for responding Bluewings! (^^,)
2 people like this
@rogen_andrei (638)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
I'm sorry but I have to say he's a bit careless. Well, being at his age, it could be a good excuse forgetting his glasses. But if I were in his shoes and not so in a hurry, I would go back home, and withdraw cash the following day.
But with what happened, I figured out he was so desperate to get some cash, and he was so lucky to have you around. Good enough that he haven't bumped into a stranger who could probably take advantage of him.
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
Yes, I must admit he was really careless. I really hope he would not do it again. Thank you for sharing Rogen_andrei! (^^,)
2 people like this
@kurtbiewald (2625)
• United States
12 Apr 07
i would have helped him
if he looked like he could afford it , I would have accepted the bill
if not, I would refuse once, then accept it, if offered the second time
it was a reasonable thing to do, 2% of men would rip him off
1% of women would
mostly the dishonest ones are easy to spot or already in jail
its the news that gets everyone scared about everybody
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Thank you for sharing Kurtbiewald! Have a nice day! (^^,)
1 person likes this
@martinha (631)
• Portugal
12 Apr 07
You did the right thing. If I were you I would have done exactly the same thing, all he needed was a little help. He was lucky someone trustworthy was next to him because some people could just refuse or even try to steal him.
He should be more careful, we can't trust everyone, specially someone we don't know. I guess he really needed the money or he thought he could trust you somehow. Maybe you inspire people to trust you. :)
3 people like this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
13 Apr 07
Wow, thank you for your inspiring response too. It was my pleasure to help him out. I think it is more because I viewed him like one of my family. And it would be so sad if he had to ask someone else, who turned out to have bad intentions in the end.
Have a nice day Martinha! (^^,)
2 people like this
