So, I got taken in by a con man yesterday. Walking to my car at the Arbor Lodge New Seasons, I was approached by a man in his mid forties who told me that he was from Welches (near Mt. Hood), and that his car had been stolen. The police wouldn’t come to his aid, and he needed to get home. He could take the bus to Sandy, but he needed to take a cab from there, and that would cost twenty five bucks. “Look at me,” he said, “I’m not drunk. I’m not on drugs. I just need some help.” “I’ll restore your faith in humanity.”

I didn’t have the money on me(!), so I walked back to the New Seasons to get some for the guy. We exchanged email addresses and I gave him $25. When I got home and told my friend Mary about it, she said “oh! You got conned by the Welches guy!” She was excited by my brush with fame. The Welches guy has been on TV and radio, in the newspapers and on Portland blogs. He’s been in business since around 2004. His business is ripping off rubes like me. So it goes.

Why did I do it? Looking back, I can’t believe I was fooled. Why didn’t I ask to call somebody at his house for him? Why was I so ready to believe him?

1. The most important element was this guy’s presence. I’ve been scammed before, and hit up for money, and I see transient guys on the street all the time saying their car’s broken or whatever, but this guy had a real presence. I remember thinking “This guy has the ring of truth. Something in his voice.” I remember thinking and being absolutely sure while in his presence that he was honest. The real crux came when I walked away to get money for him. As soon as I left him, I remember thinking “I should just go to the cashier and tell him there’s a scam artist in his parking lot.” I thought exactly that thought! But I didn’t do it. I got the money for him instead. Why?

2. The other crucial component was my willingness and desire to believe in a world where I can trust people. This desire was aided by some experiences I had in college, times when I was really down on my luck and really needed the help of a stranger and got it. I remember thinking in the car as I drove away “This was probably a scam, but maybe it’s worth the price to continue to believe as I have.” When theories compete, the theory already in place usually prevails, no matter how bad it is, until enough stress has been placed on it. People prefer the familiar. I was metaphysically lazy.

My con man didn’t restore my faith in humanity, but he did give me a good refresher course in it. I need a new policy for dealing with strangers in need.

I’ve been a moron. But isn’t it just as stupid to assume that everyone is out to get me? Where’s the middle ground?

Labels: navel-gazing, pdx