When a random someone asks for money....

how do you handle it? This has happened to me quite a bit recently, usually while I'm out shopping. These aren't necessary noobs, either. I was at RaC buying demo skins when an avie who was 5 months old IM'd me saying she was trying to buy a skin and could I help her out. A few other times after that they were noobs, and the most recent was while shopping for hair. An av who was 7 months old asked me for L100. A few times I have given money because I was in a generous mood, a few times I haven't. I was always nice even when saying "no", and simply explained I didn't have the extra lindens. (even if I really did....selfish, I know)

This may sound rude, but I work in RL for my money and I create things in SL to make lindens, or I buy them with my hard earned RL money. I am not rich by any stretch of anyone's imagination, I can't even count as well off. My husband's and my RL income is enough to meet our expenses and to buy us some wants, but not a whole lot else.

Even when I've been in a generous mood, I've still kind of resented that someone has the nerve to just ask a complete stranger for lindens. This isn't like RL where someone might really be down and out and living in a cardboard box in the winter ffs.

So, how do you handle those requests? Do you give the lindens? Do you resent it that a stranger even asked? Do you give them a piece of your mind for asking?

Hmmm, maybe should have made a poll, but I'm not sure I want to be that "formal" about this. Just wanted some input on how the majority handle this.

Can I have some money?




I never give to "new" panhandlers because with the way the system is set up, one can never tell if it's a person's tenth "new" avatar.

They should get it from that noobie I lent 400L to last year and never got back.

I simply point them to the "L$" button top right of screen and how easy it is to purchase some 'play money', putting it all in proportion like not buying that morning Starbucks fix will give them L$600, more than enough money to buy that thing they've bugged me about.

Most of us worked for all - or pay premium for - or bought - the cash we're using... so why should we give it away?

I put out a money tree on the shop land. If a newbie really wants cash, he or she can come pick it off the tree. So far I've given away about L$2000 this way.

Its usually the people I am dating I buy things for. Most return the favor, it never becomes an issue.

Some end up thinking I'm going to be some kind of sugar momma, though!

They don't last.

I need to stop buying gifts at all, just starts the process rolling.

point them to welfare program where the owner has $750,000USD in play money https://ginkofinancial.com and beg there...

Nope, I don't resent them for asking. But just because somebody asks doesn't mean i 'owe' them anything, not even a reply. And a good bit of the time that's all they get from me: nothing. But occasionally when i'm in a good mood, or a bad mood, or when the begger ammuses me or the phase of the moon is just right, I don't mind contributing to their continued existance.

Depending on my mood, I may or may not be helpful and tell them how and where to get some money, but I NEVER give money to those who ask. I give away hundreds of lindens at day at my club that I don't have to...I'm generous to a fault...but I will not support beggars.

wow, asking for money in a place where the money costs real money is really lame.
Hated beggers in other mmorpgs and they didn't need real $.

I have bad luck whenever I buy skin for people. They never pay me back. Burned twice on this, not going for a third. Let them pay for their own damned skin.

I don't give L's to random strangers...if someone just asks for money...I ask them if that's how they make their living IRL too? I do help noobs as a mentor, and sometimes I will get them started by giving them L's to get some basic upgrades....but that's my choice and I don't look to get any of it back. But asking a stranger for money in any context is just rude.
I don't exactly have money coming out my ass IRL and SL is my one luxury I afford myself as entertainment. But I work for my moeny, and being generous on any level, in any context is my choice. But to be asked by a complete stranger, that's just a turn off. Mostly I ignore it if it happens...but if they persist.... (see above)

I've been fortunate enough to never have been asked directly for money and the only person to attempt to get some money from me was a noob who saw me building and he flew down to ask what I wanted with his house! He said to view it ('it' being a pile of plywood prims, not put together or textured) I would have to pay him l$1! (yes, One whole linden!)

There is only one person I would ever pay money to, if they asked and that is my partner and in my opinion to refuse to pay scroungers is not selfish at all.

I've never given out money to SL beggars, but unless they're just rude, I try to help them somehow.
I figure newbies have no idea how much good stuff there is for free, so I try to give them LM's to some good freebie spots & groups, or if it's something specific that I have a transferable version of, I'll give it to them.
I've also given them tips on places to get linden (trivia places, contests, freelance stripping(don't you judge me )& moneytrees).

If I respond at all I usually say something like "I'll gladly give you L$100 in exchange for $L500." That usually ends it right there. Anyone that can afford to be in Second Life is hardly "down and out." I see no reason to give SL beggars money ever.

Ive done that too.

5 or 6 times.

I am way too nice to people, LOL.

I don't believe in welfare in SL or RL.

Advice on the other hand is free. There are too many ways to make money in SL to walk around with your hand out.

"CX"

If I don't know them, I simply say "No", no explanation. It's a little more awkward if they're an acquaintance - in the same group, etc. I'm a little bit more diplomatic in that case. I'll respond with something like, "Sorry, no."

How do they amuse you?! (/me wonders if learning magic tricks, or learning funny little jigs may win you over )

Your justification in not sharing the fruits of your labors shows how anti-social you really are. Maybe you should just log off if you don't want to share what is yours with people who do not want to pay for Lindens.

These banlines you have placed around your Linden supply really degrade the experience of some users of SL. Have you considered removing them?

It just really surprised me that they have the nerve to ask. I, personally, don't even ask my partner for lindens, and he's my RL husband. I also then I wonder if they sent IM's to everyone in the shop and I'm the only sucker that gave them any money....lol.

Then I thought maybe they figure I have lindens because I'm a store owner. They may not know this, but some months I don't even break even much less turn a profit.

Anyway, I think I've pretty much reached my level of tolerance on this, really. Next person that asks won't get a response. If they ask again, the response won't be pretty...lol. Now, if they have a new rez date, I can point out freebies, buying lindens, etc. I'll assume for the sake of peace that they actually are a noob and not an alt.

I just wondered what the general consensus was on this.

One of the people asked to "borrow" the lindens. As if I believed I would actually ever see them again.

ROFL. Good thing I'm not drinking anything...

it used to be much worse when i was in the casinos, i should have just went in there and gave out lindens, as i would have come out better off anyhow. btw i tend to give em a few if they are really new with directions on how to by some or earn some with a "you know that 1000 lindens is like 4 bucks"

they prob spend more than that on their other mmorpg aint that crazy when with just a few prims they can make some piece of something and i might buy it from them

OP: it depends on my mood, and how they ask? I will read their profile if I'm feeling relaxed, and if I like what they say, I'll give them L100.