I was out driving this past weekend and came across someone by the side of the road trying to flag down help. We were on a well-traveled stretch of highway, but it was somewhat rem... moreI was out driving this past weekend and came across someone by the side of the road trying to flag down help. We were on a well-traveled stretch of highway, but it was somewhat remote. He said he had run out of gas, so I volunteered to take him to the closest service station. Turns out, the place didn't sell gas cans, so he went person to person in the parking lot to see if he could borrow one or buy one from someone. At the same time, another guy walked up- he, too, had run out of gas and was trying to find a can to buy or a loaner, and the two guys sat there and started a bidding war over one random traveler's gas can. O_oIs that normal? Don't most service stations sell gas cans? Or should we all be carrying them with us just in case? less
* I am not referring to it as being the most important thing to them, nor the top priority in their lives, just something they do better than in other parts of the world.
To "mind****" means to systematically lie with intent to profit, often involving creating the impression that the deceived one will gain some good from it. The deception is not dis... moreTo "mind****" means to systematically lie with intent to profit, often involving creating the impression that the deceived one will gain some good from it. The deception is not discovered till its way too late. Some people even die having never realised the lie (eg the Red Barn cult.)
The process of recovery from a mind**** may require professional help, and typically involves intense and disturbing emotion, such as shock, confusion, or fear.Researchers now say that any ordinary person can be conned in this way; one does not have to be especially gullible or naive because the perpetrators are highly skilled at what they do. Have you ever had an experience like this? If so, how did you recover? If you have avoided one or more - how did you recognise the signs? Did you tell the person (or group) what you honestly thought? Did you blow the whistle? less
