As a rule, I don't donate directly to anyone soliciting me on the street. I've heard so many stories from so many people looking for a handout that I don't even bother rethinking it anymore. It's "No," "Sorry, no" or ignore.

But tonight I gave BART fare to someone that solicited me on the MUNI platform. I'm usually a pretty good judge of who has or hasn't just had a bad night and for whatever reason doesn't have the spare cash to get home and so I decided to forget my rule of not donating. In hindsight, his story didn't quite connect at both ends but he walked in the correct direction afterwards (towards the nearest BART station, that is). I suppose it's been on my mind all night because I don't like being taken for a fool and falling for just any old story about not being able to get home. On the other hand, if he was genuinely just looking to get home then he didn't have to worry about it any longer. Perhaps I can't expect the best of people all the time but once in a while I break down and take that chance. Somehow it's not quite the same when you're not sure to feel good about yourself or scold yourself for breaking your own rule.