I used to work downtown and I would see these guys start to walk up to me to ask for cigs and I would always cut them off and ask them first for a cig. They would get so confused and just walk away. Worked everytime!
Or if they need ‘gas’ for their car ‘3 blocks up the street’ I usually say well great, i’ll buy you a can and a gallons worth of gas and I’m usually fully prepared to walk into the gas station and spend 15 bucks to do so.
Usually their just like, ‘nah I just need the cash for the gas.’
That is the one thing I hate about working downtown or going to Elmwood, I do find the I don’t have cash on me works better. I had some crazy eyed women come up to me last week in Target plaza in North Buffalo when I came out of Five Guys. The stories are all the same and so unoriginal.