[HP]

Before saying anything I'll get this out of the way: I'm one of those guys who thinks everything we do is ultimately done with the intention of benefiting ourselves

My stance on panhandlers and charity in general is about the same as yours. Doing charitable things makes me feel good, but there are more effective ways to be charitable than by giving to panhandlers IMO. The more effective, the better it makes me feel

However I could see myself maybe doing the exact same thing you did OP. And I reckon, even if this was not the most effective way to be charitable (I would think 10 minutes of my time and $10 could be more effective spent in other ways), I would still maybe do this. I would get more out of it because I actually get to do it in person, and see the reaction on her face, etc.

So it sounds like maybe in this case, because of the way she asked you, you predicted the 'in-person benefit' would be larger than normal