I used to live in a walkable city and - unfortunately - was accosted many times by people wanting money or loose change or whatever. Before I learned this trick I must've given out hundreds of dollars to these unfortunate people - I didn't know how to say 'no.' I was in **college** and was basically give away half of my minimum wage paychecks.
But then I thought of a plan: I will pretend I did not hear them correctly and that I think they are offering ME something (like a pamphlet) or want me to take a survey. As I'm walking by and they begin to talk to me (usually about how they are stuck in this city and need money to get to Miami or some s**t), I just say "**Oh thank you but I'm okay**" or even "**No thanks, I'm fine.**" It totally stops them in their tracks and breaks up their trick of trying to snare me into a conversation with them.
Now I can give money to people when **I** can control the situation and not be caught off guard.
But then I thought of a plan: I will pretend I did not hear them correctly and that I think they are offering ME something (like a pamphlet) or want me to take a survey. As I'm walking by and they begin to talk to me (usually about how they are stuck in this city and need money to get to Miami or some s**t), I just say "**Oh thank you but I'm okay**" or even "**No thanks, I'm fine.**" It totally stops them in their tracks and breaks up their trick of trying to snare me into a conversation with them.
Now I can give money to people when **I** can control the situation and not be caught off guard.