Our experiences shape us...

...very true. Nonetheless, learning to develop a free mind is key. There's such a thing having a "childlike" approach to people, things and life at large. By having a childlike approach I mean being free minded. Take a study of children, they are care free, apparently they know nothing as yet, and they are yet to be exposed to experiences that'll eventually shape their lives to start reading meaning to things. This is in no way a case for being careless.

Let me sight an example: there's a certain man that has approached me for money about three times. Each time he says he had lost his fare to take him home, hence, he has no money to go home. The first time he approached me, I gave him money, but upon his second, third and consecutive attempts, I ignore him or simply tell him I don't have cash to spare, apparently, he has been lying to get money from people. Now, this experience may condition one into thinking that every person who is stranded and asks one for money is out to extort people and we eventually don't get to help those who are genuinely stranded.

• What I do/How I handle such situation
  There's what we call discernment. With time, and usual exposure to people with such character, I can discern to tell if one is lying or speaking the truth. I've not fully mastered the art, but, I believe it works. I believe it applies to other aspects of life. Trust, relationships, choices, etc!

Cheers!!