To all patrons of all casinos everywhere

[SmivMoc]

I would have offered the guy with the BMW $200 if he'd sign the car over to me on the spot.

[ADeMartino]

As dumb as the original Chumley is, I don't think even HE would be this stupid!

I was wondering if anyone would get the reference! That's an old, OLD cartoon.

[ADeMartino]

I would have offered the guy with the BMW $200 if he'd sign the car over to me on the spot.

Heck, I'd even give him a ride home in it.b

[ADeMartino]

The problem with idiots like these begging for a handout at your store is that they never PLANNED AHEAD. They never planned on losing, so why would they stick that thought into their mind and not put aside some emergency money for a means to support yourself for a drive home in case of bad luck arising?

(some snippage)

I wouldn't feel sorry for the BMW owner either. He dug himself a hole that he should get out of on his own.

Well, in all fairness, looking back on the incident, I think this individual might have had a gambling problem. And just like a chemical addiction, you lose the ability to make yourself stop - even if you are aware of the problem.

I'm pretty sure if I'd have given him any money as I actually had considered doing, he'd have driven right back to that damned casino. His 'you can't win...'
remark, though, thoroughly pissed me off and was the red flag to not do anything for him.

[ADeMartino]

No sympathy whatsoever. Anyone who hasn't got the intelligence or will power to leave enough money in their wallet or space on their credit card for gas to get home shouldn't venture into a casino in the first place, and deserve what they get. Yep, I've done stupid things in my life - but the difference is, I never expected a stranger to get me out of it when I did.

I've been a few 'dumbass' scrapes myself, and on a couple of occasions, even though I didn't ask for help and knew deep down I didn't deserve any, strangers have helped me.

One time while traveling, I made the mistake of carrying cash, which I was forcibly relieved of in Philadelphia (along with all my other things), stranding me there. I couldn't get hold of anyone at home, and resorted to panhandling to try to raise the $60 or so for a bus ticket. I'd been bumming change for nearly two hours (and hatin' it, by the way) when a woman asked me where I was going. I told her, and she walked away. I didn't think any more of it until about ten minutes later, she returns and hands me a bus ticket. I wanted to give her the $8 or so in change I'd collected, but she insisted I keep it for food.

Few things in life will make you feel more humble than a complete stranger coming to your aid like that.

[XCashier]

One time while traveling, I made the mistake of carrying cash, which I was forcibly relieved of in Philadelphia (along with all my other things),

That was not being a dumbass, that was just horrible luck, and bless that wonderful angel for helping you.

The BMW guy, nobody held a gun to his head and forced him to gamble his last penny away. That was his own doing. Although you do have a very good point about gambling addiction.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

One incident that stands out was a fellow, very apparently well-to-do, driving a nice shiny new BMW, dressed well, etc. He drove into the convenience store, went immediately inside, and told his sob story about how he'd had an 'incredibly bad run of luck' at the casino up the road, had blown thousands, maxed his credit card, didn't have a dime on him, home was like four hours away, and his precious little Beemer only had about a quarter tank. He was desperate for some help to get home.

Then he can sell his hair to the local wig shop.

[wolfie]

One incident that stands out was a fellow, very apparently well-to-do, driving a nice shiny new BMW, dressed well, etc. He drove into the convenience store, went immediately inside, and told his sob story about how he'd had an 'incredibly bad run of luck' at the casino up the road, had blown thousands, maxed his credit card, didn't have a dime on him, home was like four hours away, and his precious little Beemer only had about a quarter tank. He was desperate for some help to get home.

The problem with idiots like these begging for a handout at your store is that they never PLANNED AHEAD. They never planned on losing, so why would they stick that thought into their mind and not put aside some emergency money for a means to support yourself for a drive home in case of bad luck arising?

Better than emergency money (which would go to the emergency of "a couple more hands and my luck will change) would be filling the tank BEFORE going into the casino. There's a reason for the old (you can tell how old by the prices) story about Vegas being the place to go to hit it rich - a guy went there in a $5000 Cadillac and came home in a $50,000 Greyhound bus.

[sstabeler]

yeah, you can tell that's old- the bus fares are cheap. ( yes I am joking for those who wondered)


seriously when could you get a Cadillac for $5000? I thought they were something like 20 grand when they first came out.

[wolfie]

yeah, you can tell that's old- the bus fares are cheap. ( yes I am joking for those who wondered)


seriously when could you get a Cadillac for $5000? I thought they were something like 20 grand when they first came out.

According to Wikipedia, the Cadillac Sixty Special crossed the $5000 mark during the switch between the 1956 and 1957 model years - from $4587 to $5539. This was the first Cadillac page I checked that showed prices. Other, more familiar models would have hit that threshold at different times.

Told you it was an old joke.