In a world where the cost of living is soaring, and the pinch of economic pressure is felt by many, acts of kindness can be a beacon of hope in our communities.

The Australian spirit is often celebrated for mateship and generosity, especially during tough times.

However, a recent incident at a local supermarket has highlighted that even the best intentions can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes.

Jess Jackson shared her story on social media, recounting how she was moved by compassion when she overheard the woman in front of her at the checkout struggling to pay for groceries.

The woman, seemingly in a financial bind, was sifting through her cards and ultimately told the cashier she would have to return some items.

An Australian woman felt scammed after a kind act at a supermarket backfired. Credit: @JessJacksonnnn / TikTok

Moved by the sight of essential items like milk, bread, and fresh produce in the woman's trolley, Jackson stepped in to cover the cost.

It was a gesture born from empathy, from one Aussie to another, who simply thought, 'You poor f*****, you can't afford to eat.'

But the story took a twist when Jackson later saw the same woman purchasing a carton of Winfield Blues cigarettes, an expense of over $400, and then allegedly a bottle of wine at a BWS store.

Confronted with this, Jackson questioned the woman's priorities, only to be met with the response, 'I'd rather go without food than smokes, you know what it's like.'

The incident left Jackson feeling scammed and sparked a debate among her followers.

While many praised her for her kindness, others pointed out the harsh reality that sometimes, people's choices may not align with our values, and that's something we must accept when offering unsolicited help.

Credit: TikTok​

Key Takeaways

• An Australian woman felt scammed after performing a kind act at a supermarket that backfired.
• Jess Jackson, after paying for a woman's groceries who said she couldn't afford them, later saw the same woman purchase expensive cigarettes and a bottle of wine.
• The incident left her 'flabbergasted,' questioning the priorities of the woman she helped.
• Social media users had mixed reactions, with some sympathising with Jackson's frustration and others suggesting personal choices are at play.

What can we learn from the surprising results of kind actions? How do personal choices affect how people respond to generosity during tough times? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

 

[Be-a- woof]

I too had a similar experience. I use to have a lady come to me for money for food. One day, instead of giving her money, I gave her a box of food. When she left she threw the box onto the road.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I too had a similar experience. I use to have a lady come to me for money for food. One day, instead of giving her money, I gave her a box of food. When she left she threw the box onto the road.

There are some scummy people in this world, but at least you can hold your head high and know you're not one of them.

 

[mOiOz]

My daughter was confronted by a woman outside the supermarket begging for money to buy a bottle of water so she could take her tablets.
She gave her a couple of dollars and as she was coming out after finishing shopping the woman was also walking out with a bottle of wine.
I’m afraid my money is too hard to come by to be abused by dishonest people like this.

NEVER, EVER give money to a beggar..! Only ever buy them what they need and then give it to them,
More than once I have experienced them throwing the food in the trash and even had it thrown at me! So, I ask first if they want certain food items and I will return with them.
Coming from South Africa in the 90s, where there were beggars on literally EVERY street corner (mostly kids) and having a hobby of working with charities my entire life, believe me when I say, beggars all over the world have the same wants and needs.
Even if it's a bus ticket, confirm first, then buy the ticket and give it to them.
You are only enabling them to buy more drugs or alcohol with donations of cash, enhancing the problem that caused them to beg in the first place!
This problem has been something very close to my heart, all my life...

 

[mOiOz]

Don't feel too upset, you are the one who paid for the groceries... something she and her family needed.
Thank you for thinking of others and God bless you!
The wine and cigarettes were NOT paid by YOU, that's all that matters!

 

[mylittletibbies]

I actually had an opposite experience.
When I lived in Mandurah
(nickname Methdurah)there was this elderly man, often sitting outside the post office, obviously down on his luck, but not drug or alcohol affected.
People would pass him by, give him dirty looks, like he shouldn't have the audacity to be sitting there or something.
He never begged . I always smiled at him and he smiled back.
One day I won $100 in a scratchie, I gave it to this man, he actually cried.
I went on my way shopping, later when I came back that way to my car he was sitting there with his bag of fruit, bread etc and he had actually spent $30 of that money, which he obviously sorely needed, on a bunch of flowers for me.
It was my turn to cry
I often think about this man and what had bought him to this stage in his life and what may have become of him since.
Not all people in the streets are deadbeats, many many of them
have mental health issues, which their families don't understand and can't handle and they are pushed out in the streets to fend for themselves. It can happen to anyone.
There, but for the grace of God, go I, as my mother would say

 

[mOiOz]

I actually had an opposite experience.
When I lived in Mandurah
(nickname Methdurah)there was this elderly man, often sitting outside the post office, obviously down on his luck, but not drug or alcohol affected.
People would pass him by, give him dirty looks, like he shouldn't have the audacity to be sitting there or something.
He never begged . I always smiled at him and he smiled back.
One day I won $100 in a scratchie, I gave it to this man, he actually cried.
I went on my way shopping, later when I came back that way to my car he was sitting there with his bag of fruit, bread etc and he had actually spent $30 of that money, which he obviously sorely needed, on a bunch of flowers for me.
It was my turn to cry
I often think about this man and what had bought him to this stage in his life and what may have become of him since.
Not all people in the streets are deadbeats, many many of them
have mental health issues, which their families don't understand and can't handle and they are pushed out in the streets to fend for themselves. It can happen to anyone.
There, but for the grace of God, go I, as my mother would say

Not all people in the streets are deadbeats, many many of them
have mental health issues, which their families don't understand and can't handle and they are pushed out in the streets to fend for themselves. It can happen to anyone.
There, but for the grace of God, go I, as my mother would say

 

[maxesmum]

Wow! Clearly,everyone of you have never lived with an addict or been an addict. What this lady did was disgusting and she has no shame but addicts don’t have any shame….or empathy or sense of right and wrong. And,yes,they WILL go without essentials to buy their smokes and booze. Who are you to judge? Bloody cigarettes were THE thing to do! Back when I started smoking,it wasn’t understood,the shocking damage it caused. Everyone did it. Grandparents,parents,aunts uncles. It just was. It took me years and years and years of struggle to break the habit and I still crave them every minute of every day. I don’t condone what that woman did,not for a second,but the undercurrent conversation of not giving to needy because of drugs and alcohol…yeah,that sucks. Be grateful you’ve never walked that path.

 

[magpie1]

Normally you shouldn't question someone but I believe if she was taking away food saying she couldn't afford it because she needed the money for cigarettes and alcohol she should have refused the lady's kind offer.

I guess if the woman had told Jess that while she couldn't afford her groceries was because she wanted to buy ciggies and wine.....then Jess quite rightly might have not offered to buy her food.

 

[magpie1]

That is a dreadful thing to happen. You pay someone’s food then see them waste money on cigarettes & wine. Shame on them! I just wish ALL cigarettes could be banned. They do so much harm to your body & the money could be used for something much better.

if you ban the sale of ciggies and even wine.....how is the Gov't going to fund their hospitals and healthcare?

 

[magpie1]

I've never seen a person hold a shotgun to their girlfriend's mother's head demanding money and jewellery to buy alcohol or cigarettes.

But I have witnessed the same for the purchase of heroin.

Yes I too was surprised that drugs were not mentioned as one of the most common addictions.....

 

[magpie1]

just like motorists will always have money for stinking fuel systems.

 

[magpie1]

Who said she was old or are you just being chauvinist?

You're quite right....there are many young girls and middle age women who also like to smoke and get pissed .

 

[Veggiepatch]

if you ban the sale of ciggies and even wine.....how is the Gov't going to fund their hospitals and healthcare?

Easy. By trebling the sales tax on EVs.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Who said she was old or are you just being chauvinist?

He likes them petite and wrinkly....

 

[LJ Cool]

It was not a scam that is when someone unknown and unseen manages to take money from you without you being aware at the time. I understand that offering to pay for someones groceries because you think that they have difficulty paying is a kind gesture but that does not then give you the right to question what that same person then does with their own money when buying further products.

Sorry, I'm calling bullshit on that !

 

[LJ Cool]

My daughter was confronted by a woman outside the supermarket begging for money to buy a bottle of water so she could take her tablets.
She gave her a couple of dollars and as she was coming out after finishing shopping the woman was also walking out with a bottle of wine.
I’m afraid my money is too hard to come by to be abused by dishonest people like this.

Yes I learnt that lesson too ! So rather than give them money, I thought next time I'll buy a bottle of water and give them something to eat. More fool me I went and bought a can of coke and a burger for the elderly man begging outside MacDonalds. He said that he only drank no sugar, soft drink and was a vegetarian You can't win ! Took it home and ate it. I don't give beggars anything anymore. It's a sad state of affairs, when you just can't help someone and think they'd be glad of it, shame.

 

[LJ Cool]

I actually had an opposite experience.
When I lived in Mandurah
(nickname Methdurah)there was this elderly man, often sitting outside the post office, obviously down on his luck, but not drug or alcohol affected.
People would pass him by, give him dirty looks, like he shouldn't have the audacity to be sitting there or something.
He never begged . I always smiled at him and he smiled back.
One day I won $100 in a scratchie, I gave it to this man, he actually cried.
I went on my way shopping, later when I came back that way to my car he was sitting there with his bag of fruit, bread etc and he had actually spent $30 of that money, which he obviously sorely needed, on a bunch of flowers for me.
It was my turn to cry
I often think about this man and what had bought him to this stage in his life and what may have become of him since.
Not all people in the streets are deadbeats, many many of them
have mental health issues, which their families don't understand and can't handle and they are pushed out in the streets to fend for themselves. It can happen to anyone.
There, but for the grace of God, go I, as my mother would say

Aw that was such a lovely thing to do I'm glad it was appreciated , bless

 

[novezar]

I too had a similar experience. I use to have a lady come to me for money for food. One day, instead of giving her money, I gave her a box of food. When she left she threw the box onto the road.

Hi there, "Be-a-Woof",
I bet you never did anything like that again. It's extremely obvious that their food intake is not a necessity to sustain life for them.

 

[benaxb]

My wife and myself were travelling down Woodville Road SA, we were stopped at the traffic lights and there was this woman going car to car asking for money. Now I don't give in these circumstances but apparently some people do. Then I saw her walk away heading for the supermarket nearby. I turned the corner and pulled into the supermarket and walked in. There she was trying to buy smokes with the money she had scammed off people. And this is why I don't give money!