Yeah a stranger walking up to you and asking for money is a bit different from this

We saw two ladies trying to take a car wheel off one night so me and the boys jumped out the car to help them out, we took the wheel off the car and they said they would be back once repaired and said thanks as they jumped in another car and drove off.

Then we realized the two other wheels on the other side of the car were missing and we had just helped them finish stealing someone's wheels

The easy litmus test is to offer to buy them the thing they want.

But I've given money to panhandlers twice. First guy said, "hey man, do you got any change? [N-word] needs to get drunk."

The second time was a group of guys scrounging for change in their car because they were trying to get a dime of weed.

He sat down and walked through replacing a starter with the kid. Worst case scenario he just taught a kid that he can work on his own stuff even if he doesn't have to.

yep. same.

i have had friends and girlfriends, try to scam me, and when the scam didn't work a couple of them straight up stole.

must be nice to live in a world where you haven't been scammed and think there are no bad people out there. stranger or not.