Tommy says…

I was on the train at Bankstown station, when this Asian lady startle me by tapping me on the shoulder, and mumbles something unintelligible. Then she said in English – “I need three dollar – I lost my wallet – I need three dollar”, looking plaintive. I was contemplating how much change I had on me ($1.65) when I realised I’d seen her before – almost a year ago, just oustide Bankstown station – with the same “I lost my wallet” story and the same expression. That time, I had no change on me, and I had felt guilty for letting down someone who was probably genuinely in need. This time, however, I got a bit suspicious (and plus, I didn’t have $3), so I just shook my head at her.

She settled down on a nearby seat (looking somewhat relaxed by this stage), and then two stations later got up and went around everyone on the carriage with the same story – no response – and went upstairs.

Normally I wouldn’t be writing blog entries about people who ask for money on public transport, but I guess what’s different here was that I was actually unsure whether she was genuine. I guess part of it is that she was Asian, female, and fairly mature (40-50s?) – not your typical “spare change, guv?” demographic. So I wonder whether she did genuinely lose wallets twice in a year – and it so happens that I was there on both occasions? Given the improbability of that, what drives her to put on such an act (one that involves a certain level of effort, I feel, more than just the casual “spare change, mate” from those loitering around the entrance of Redfern station)?