Apparently I look horrible when I'm not feeling well. Even though my illness has never even been severe enough to require hospitalization. Complete strangers are prompted to give me stuff. Examples: at a gift shop, another tourist gave my mother jewelry to give to me. Last night, even after reassuring the cashier at Subway I was alright, she put unpaid cookies in my bag.

Do you guys get this, too? I'm thinking of having symptoms at a car dealership

If it works at the car dealership let me know. It is funny while leaving the hospital today I had on these bright colored Newton running shoes. Instead of looking at my drooping eyes I had 3 people say nice shoes!

Lol some days i know i look really drained but no pity free gifts yet!

I had to smile at your free gifts. Apparaently nobody looks good when sick or in pain. Pain shines right through. Accept the gifts, and get to that car dealership. Hope you feel better soon. ginnie

Forget the car dealership, visit a bank on a bad day. And let us know if it works.

Thanks for the chuckle. I needed it, I had a bad day today.
Kathie

I think the bank and the car dealership would be nice.
People often think that I am sad or depressed.
Other people think that I smoke pot.
Droopy eyelids and slurred speech with a staggering gait will do it.

I never get free stuff! I do however get a lot of:
-"what is wrong with you, do you need an ambulance?" (they think of a stroke, or f.e. when I suddenly fall on the ground)
-people doing stuff for me without me asking, but just because of a wheelchair.
-"how brave of you!" when Im in a wheelchair (?)
And, most of the time people think I'm lazy and using pot. I often have a "tired" expression, stare into nowhere and a bit of overall weakness. And because Im young, no one ever suspects I can be sick.

When I have to sit on a chair in the supermarket, the old people laugh: you must be tired! (sarcastic) or, don't be so lazy. but free gifts? Ooh, I wish!

Roger, I'll have to try the shoes, they sound like a fun diversion from the face. Kathie, loved your bank idea! LOL

Celeste and Raven, wow, I never thought about looking like a pot smoker. I have facial flushing, so I've been mistaken for a lush. Raven, I can really relate to the other reactions you described. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Maybe you will get a free gift soon! (It would be nice if people who felt bad for me would donate to medical research instead of giving pity gifts, though.)