Submitted by Grouchy-Bandicoot772 t3_11ymkx3 in jerseycity

Hey everyone I just wanted to say my friend told me she was followed by a guy last week near the grove street path station. He was asking for some sort of donation for a basketball team. My friend said she didn’t have any money but he was really persistent. Has anyone dealt with the same thing?

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possums101 t1_jd8bgmw wrote

Unfortunately some version of this exists in every city most likely. I’ve run into a guy like this (might be the same guy) at Newport Mall. Even though I was in a mall full of people it kind of shook me up how aggressive he was. Also had a weird run in with a guy at a Chase atm doing something similar but less aggressive.

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Olumn t1_jd94va2 wrote

Did the chase atm guy ask you to deposit his check or something along those lines? I think I may have ran into the same guy

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possums101 t1_jd9c4ov wrote

Yup he asked me something around those lines. I didn’t really understand what he meant. I got a bad vibe and said no. Also he didn’t have a card to swipe and get in.

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jerseycityfrankie t1_jd9gwfu wrote

Be clear loud and to the point. These grifters don’t want to waste time so if you instantly convince them you’re not a mark they instantly move on. But if you’re too polite they see you as a mark that just needs more work in order to pay off somehow.

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MossthisMossthatMoss t1_jda79ee wrote

Thank you! Idk why some people feel the need to give an explanation 1. “No” 2. “F off” .. working just fine for me for the last 15 years

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njmids t1_jdhu01a wrote

They think it’s rude to be straight forward. Suburban attitude.

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GlitzGlitz t1_jd9u492 wrote

They’ve gotten so bold!!! If you politely say “sorry I don’t have any money/change” they start asking if you have Venmo !! 🥲🥲

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fuzedz t1_jdc7qw7 wrote

I always say i dont have apps i dont trust the government

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miranomejoda t1_jdgnkrn wrote

why make excuses? just tell them to $#@! off.

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njmids t1_jdhu1tk wrote

Literally. Just say “no”.

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fuzedz t1_jdhwg8w wrote

I say no if they keep pushing i try to come off just as crazy as them lols

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These_Friendship920 t1_jdchhnc wrote

Yup this happened to me on the Grove St platform! Some little old lady started getting real aggressive with me about it…

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Mysterious-Change954 t1_jdufvqy wrote

This is the answer. A sharp "NO" with a hint of "FUCK OFF" in your tone usually does the trick. Dont even make eye contact.

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WendysFrostyandFries t1_jd8pk46 wrote

Ignore them and walk away. If they keep following try to go inside somewhere, like a bar or whatever and talk to the bar tender.

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MossthisMossthatMoss t1_jd8rzc8 wrote

I worked in Newport in 06-‘10 and it’s always been a thing. Asking for donations or using kids to sell candy for 10x the price. A hard “no” always worked. Telling them you have no money is too much dialogue.

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whybother5000 t1_jd8gujv wrote

Candy / basketball uniforms pretty standard in metro NY. Seen it in Morristown too

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sutisuc t1_jdb85eu wrote

Wow it’s all the way out in Morristown?

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kittyglitther t1_jdahlgl wrote

>My friend said she didn’t have any money

Never reply. A reply gives an opening/makes it into a debate.

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sutisuc t1_jd8crcz wrote

This is a thing in NYC too.

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notsokrispykreme t1_jdfkuo8 wrote

I know exactly who you’re talking about. He’s also often on the lightrail asking for money. He even went as far as grabbing my arm and shoulder on two separate occasions.

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Image_Pristine t1_jdgl8jw wrote

Same here. I used to work in Newport mall, walking off or on the light rail I have had several occasions where he has grabbed my arm after ignoring him or saying no. There has been times were my boyfriend, I or other people has punched the dude for touching me. Sometimes he walks into the stores and harasses customers or employees for donations. It’s annoying, and one of the reasons why I don’t go to the mall anymore.

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ReeseCommaBill t1_jdiocic wrote

If anyone lived in Astoria, Queens in the mid-aughts, you remember "Lloyd Five Fingers," who'd go car to car on the N train asking for donations for his basketball team. "If you don't have change, try and have a smile."

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DontBeEvil1 t1_jdap7gl wrote

No. No one other than your friend has ever been followed, or been asked for a donation, seen a weird guy, or dealt with any unwanted attention from a persistent person. And definitely not near Grove Street. Let your friend know she's a unicorn.🦄

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