Oh yeah, Smith Street Woolies is a vibe unto itself.
We all get taken aback sometimes. Sometimes, as awful as it sounds, it can just be a good reality check to ensure that you have your wits about you. It’s not a pleasant thing, but sometimes it’s necessary.
I had an odd experience, not threat-wise, but still bothers me to this day. I think I might have mentioned it some time ago, but I almost willingly handed over $50 to one of those fake monks. I can’t really explain why in the moment, I would have if I hadn’t got pulled away and it was almost as if I was under a sort of spell? When I think back, it was weird like spirituality trust thing, like, oh, you’re a monk, I can give you x dollars and then he pulled out a notepad showing donations of $50 etc. and for some reason I just thought, oh, okay and started to fish out $50…
Reflecting back on it, I don’t know why it still really bothers me. Usually, I’m good with seeing through things like that, but I think it’s weirdly that I felt offended/betrayed that the ploy worked on me because I believe in spirituality of sorts. It was jarring.
You’re totally right about the reality check - usually I’m on the ball but was a bit distracted today, which I’m sure didn’t help.
I also know what you mean re the monk situation. I’ve definitely had a few instances where in hindsight it’s been, why the f did I fall for that?! Scammers know how to get past people’s defences.
Something similar happened to me with the Moonies way back. Made a donation of $20 (big for then) but the spruiker kept getting at me for the rest of the contents of my wallet. Eye opening.
Oh yeah, Smith Street Woolies is a vibe unto itself.
We all get taken aback sometimes. Sometimes, as awful as it sounds, it can just be a good reality check to ensure that you have your wits about you. It’s not a pleasant thing, but sometimes it’s necessary.
I had an odd experience, not threat-wise, but still bothers me to this day. I think I might have mentioned it some time ago, but I almost willingly handed over $50 to one of those fake monks. I can’t really explain why in the moment, I would have if I hadn’t got pulled away and it was almost as if I was under a sort of spell? When I think back, it was weird like spirituality trust thing, like, oh, you’re a monk, I can give you x dollars and then he pulled out a notepad showing donations of $50 etc. and for some reason I just thought, oh, okay and started to fish out $50…
Reflecting back on it, I don’t know why it still really bothers me. Usually, I’m good with seeing through things like that, but I think it’s weirdly that I felt offended/betrayed that the ploy worked on me because I believe in spirituality of sorts. It was jarring.
You’re totally right about the reality check - usually I’m on the ball but was a bit distracted today, which I’m sure didn’t help.
I also know what you mean re the monk situation. I’ve definitely had a few instances where in hindsight it’s been, why the f did I fall for that?! Scammers know how to get past people’s defences.
Something similar happened to me with the Moonies way back. Made a donation of $20 (big for then) but the spruiker kept getting at me for the rest of the contents of my wallet. Eye opening.