Yesterday while traveling to Mürten on SBB, my 8 year old son and I were sitting in first class when approached by an African American male asking for help. He gave an amazing story stating that he had been in prison in Switzerland (somewhere near where we were) because he had no permit to live or be in Switzerland. He said he was released and was to go back to South Africa this weekend. The caveat was that he need CHF23 in order to get a one way ticket to Olten and then meet his transportation on Saturday. I thought he went through way too much convincing to not give him something. I told him I would give him CHF5 and he was on his own for the rest. He was cool with that and then moved onto the small few of others on the train.

Has anyone else had this experience recently? Am I the only sucker around?

I think you got 5 francs value out of him.

Doubtless you'll chance upon him after the weekend

I'm a sucker for that guy in the Alpenkäse haus at the trainstation. I pass SBB everyday, and always have to take big round around that ceasy cheese man... He kinda jumps at you offering this lovely cheese to taste, with a big smile and friendly words, and you eventually end up by spending a fortune in a smelly cheese...
(And they say the Swiss can't flirt... )

An american going back to South Africa? That doesn't compute really. Plus, aren't americans given the automatic 3months stay? I can understand not allowed to work but to be here ain't a biggie. Looks like you've been taken for a long ride...

Grumpy doing the rounds in Basel now too?

ah so what if you did get taken in. 5 francs is worth a good story and some company on the train and it's a cheap price to pay to teach your little one a lesson about giving to those who are in need!

classic sympathy beggar... the story is more than certainly not true... I never give those guys any money, if you ask me nicely and don't give me no bull and you are really in need I usually help...
otherwise just tell em to bugger off (in a nice way)

"African American" is the way Americans who find it offensive to say "black" refer to people with darker skin, and I assume that's what the OP meant. My personal favorite was CNN broadcasting about riots in France and calling the rioters "African American"... I may be wrong, but that makes more sense than an American trying to return to South Africa.

In any case, to the OP: yes, common scam. You got taken.

anything is possible:

Left wallet at home, SBB conductor went bananas

I do recall when I went rollerblading around stanley park in vancouver and left all my stuff in my buddy's backpack, including my shoes. Then I lost him. Let me tell you, boy was it difficult and embarassing begging in my socks without a wallet for quarters to make a phone call.

However, a trip to South Africa does seem a bit far-fetched. I'm sure your money still went to good use and you can feel good about it. But usually people asking for money to get to somewhere, close or far, are pulling a scam. They're better off just asking for money with no reason as I'd be more inclined to contribute.

Nah, they're both equally nonsensical. None of them are American, however, some may have been african.

Then again, I find the whole African American term thing to be offensive....

Same here. It's the lying that annoys me. I've often found most of these people are relatively well dressed - professional beggars??

If it makes you feel better, consider it like buying a ticket to a live theater performance!

Oh so African American is the evolutionary name for black? I've never heard of people from Africa referred to as African Americans in NYC. Apparently, the world outside of America is stuck on stupid (at least the media) if the CNN broadcast of the French riots is anything to go by.

What do you know? You learn everyday!!

When my wife gets these requests, she says she's delighted to help and offers to buy them the ticket.

Strangly, they never accept.

I lived in NYC for 12 years, that term is definitely used there. It is the whole politically correct thing.

But remember, a white south african may indeed be both american and south african, but they can never be an african american.

Don't be ridiculous! I never said it wasn't used. I said it wasn't used on people not born in America (used Africa as an e.g.). It is used in describing those who's ancestors are of African descent but they themselves were born in America or have citizenship.

Was that too hard to figure out from my post?

Your South African example is debatable but we are already digressing from the OP's rip-off scam.

We are digressing from the scam - no doubt about it, he most likely was scammed, but it is a part of his post.

The term is used there for anyone who is black, immigrant or not.

That is so not true..... I'm a New Yorker! You either were misinformed for 12 years or it's wilful ignorance.

Black people in America call themselves African Americans.

I've seen it on Sally Jessie Raphael, Judge Judy, Oprah and Rickie Lake. It therefore must be true.

HTH

Yeah, my brother is a psychologist and he wants to help the people without really encouraging their bad habbits that often put them into a horrible situation in life (I do think most of them use the cash for booze or drugs, sad as it is). So if he is asked for cash for food he agrees to it under a condition that he buys the food himself. The reactions of people were shocking, he also got hit once for that. I know it could be seen as patronising but if you beg and expect charity shouldn't you also expect that the people want to know if you use it for a good cause?