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This is a "what would you do" sort of discussion...

A former co-worker, who I happened to like as such, and always got on with ok, did something dumb at work, that got him fired. Then, his wife of 11yrs (it seems, using this as an excuse), said she wasn't going to support him, and threw him out.

I got all this from him yesterday, when I happened to be passing through a Walmart parking lot on my bicycle, and saw him there. He's in the infamous Walmart "camp ground", living in his car, awaiting unemployment, that he qualified for, to kick in. I did feel for him - not an easy situation.
But he's always been one of those "woe is me" kind of folks who gripes a lot, has a bit of a temper, and tells way too many details about his family, his surgeries, and negatives in general. So as I was listening to his tales of woe - I got quite the earful, and inwardly decided to limit any assistance I might offer.
For a more upbeat human, I might actually have offered a room in my house (even though it's a tiny house). for a short stint. I want to help somehow - yet keep some distance.

He's got some money, and is eating and all, as there are other stores and restaurants close by.

What would you do ?

** Update Sunday night - THANK YOU all for your input - it definitely helped me settle my mind.

evergreen 8 Feb 3
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9 comments

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2

Help him find another job if you can.

Orbit Level 7 Feb 3, 2019

Absolutely NOT!!!!
That's a terrible idea!
Let him find his own job.

1

Let it go, he'd get old on you real quick !

That's what cautioned me. He sometimes got old at work, but I could easily go elsewhere then !

2

Thoughts and prayers?

He is a holy roller ... maybe.

2

Let him figure it out. His screw-up caused the mess he's in.

Besides, I'm absolutely certain that any assistance you, or anyone else, could
give him, would be nothing but a waste of your time.
You would regret trying to help him, and in fairly short order.
Your "good deed" would NOT go unpunished.

1

Don't doubt yourself, evergreen. You probably made the right decision.

2

Say to yourself "not my circus, not my monkeys". This is not your problem.

GwenC Level 7 Feb 3, 2019
0

I was surprised at how many of the comments seem to think kindness is counter-productive in this situation. Maybe it is and what makes it more confusing is the place social security takes as an alternative to kindness. I wonder in how many circumstances would personal kindness be counter-productive? Maybe all the circumstances social security covers?

0

Just what you did. It is the kind of support he needs.

0

You coulda let him crash....

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