I live in Seattle, where panhandlers can literally be found at every corner. It's quite sad.
However, I don't feel that I can trust most of these "homeless" people.
One day, I was walking back from Pike Place with a friend when a scruffy guy approached us and asked if he could have some money for food. I happened to have some Chinese roll thingy stuffed with chicken, and I offered it to him. He completely ignored me and proceeded to harass my friend for money. After my friend handed over some quarters, he was on his way.
On another occasion, I was eating at a restaurant when I saw a man get out of his car, don a grimy sweatshirt and beanie, and pull out a cardboard sign. On my way out of the parking lot, I saw him standing on the street corner, claiming to be homeless, and begging for money.
I understand that there are actually homeless people out there who need money to live, but these swindlers kinda make it hard to trust them.
Have you ever given money to panhandlers? If so, how did it go?
That's why I have a spray bottle filled with bleach on me at all times. Someone comes up to me asking for money and they get the old one two and a chemical burn in their eyes.
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There are more stars in the Milky Way Galaxy than atoms in the universe---Neil Degrasse Tyson
That's why I have a spray bottle filled with bleach on me at all times. Someone comes up to me asking for money and they get the old one two and a chemical burn in their eyes.
Pshh. I just carry around a shotgun; anyone who gets within my ten foot safety bubble gets a round of buckshot to the face.
Here in Cali, there are a medium number of homeless people. They're very soft hearted though. I even saw one who lives by the gas station give the sign of the cross to a woman.
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Sire I inquire as I do with most, but do you mean to gloat? For is it truly such a tire to reply to the host with but a simple QUOTE?
Normally my mom offers to buy them food, but they normally say no and just walk away. However one day we encountered a homeless couple who had a sign asking for food and not money, so we brought them food and gave them a twenty dollar bill.
They were very nice people, and it's a shame to see people so nice end up on a street corner begging for food.
I live about 15 minutes outside Boston where the majority of crimes are just dumb teens smoking pot and the closest place with homeless people is Boston itself. Therefore, I don't interact with homeless people that often. But...
One time I was in downtown Los Angeles and there was this (presumably) homeless man who was drunk or mentally ill walking on a crosswalk and screaming into midair. It was kind of funny but very startling.
Another time, I was in Brooklyn. The bad part. There was this guy who was probably on marijuana that tried to give me a high five...
My late grandfather used to take homeless people to food trucks and buy them whatever they wanted provided it was healthy (no soda or junk food).
I live in Seattle, where panhandlers can literally be found at every corner. It's quite sad.
However, I don't feel that I can trust most of these "homeless" people.
One day, I was walking back from Pike Place with a friend when a scruffy guy approached us and asked if he could have some money for food. I happened to have some Chinese roll thingy stuffed with chicken, and I offered it to him. He completely ignored me and proceeded to harass my friend for money. After my friend handed over some quarters, he was on his way.
You know, not all homeless people are starving to death and begging for food.
They already know where to get food. There's a soup kitchen, shelter, etc in pretty much every major city.
What they need is money to pay for some of their other needs.
On another occasion, I was eating at a restaurant when I saw a man get out of his car, don a grimy sweatshirt and beanie, and pull out a cardboard sign. On my way out of the parking lot, I saw him standing on the street corner, claiming to be homeless, and begging for money.
I understand that there are actually homeless people out there who need money to live, but these swindlers kinda make it hard to trust them.
Have you ever given money to panhandlers? If so, how did it go?
Homeless != living in a cardboard box under the bridge begging for pennies
Just look at the word. "Homeless." It means exactly as it looks. Without a home.
The guy could very well be homeless and still have a car. Also, what's wrong with a sweatshirt and beanie?
If the guy had a home and a stable job, then it'd be much more worth it for him to just go to his job. You don't exactly make a $70K/yr living off of street begging, and I'd imagine it's not that pleasant/fun either to do it as a hobby.
I once met someone homeless at a bus stop. He was either extremely drunk (he had a half-empty bottle of Jack with him), schizophrenic (he had conversations with non-existent people), or both. He didn't ask me for any money; he just tried to fist-bump me. That was a strange day.
I've worked with the homeless in my community on several occasion. Twice a year we host a convention which offers information about low income housing, alternative housing options, job opportunities, etc. They also give out free hair cuts, food, and clothing. I've worked the convention twice now and it's interesting to actually take time and get to know this community and find out how they got to where they are now.
I never give out money when I am approached by a homeless person I do, however, offer to buy them some food. I also keep bottled water and granola bars in my car now in case I am in a hurry somewhere.
You know, not all homeless people are starving to death and begging for food.
They already know where to get food. There's a soup kitchen, shelter, etc in pretty much every major city.
What they need is money to pay for some of their other needs.
And there's plenty of programs to donate to that take care of those "other needs." I'd rather donate to them then to some stranger on the street.
Homeless != living in a cardboard box under the bridge begging for pennies
Just look at the word. "Homeless." It means exactly as it looks. Without a home.
The guy could very well be homeless and still have a car. Also, what's wrong with a sweatshirt and beanie?
If the guy had a home and a stable job, then it'd be much more worth it for him to just go to his job. You don't exactly make a $70K/yr living off of street begging, and I'd imagine it's not that pleasant/fun either to do it as a hobby.
The man had a nicer car than mine! As in, it was clean and washed, and newer than my car. Sure, he might actually be homeless, but what homeless man rides around in a nice sedan?
As stated before, I would rather have my money go to an organization that helps the homeless than to a man on the street who may or may not be a fraud.
And there's plenty of programs to donate to that take care of those "other needs." I'd rather donate to them then to some stranger on the street.
The point I was trying to make is that they don't necessarily need the food.
If you don't want to help supply his "other needs," then that's perfectly fine.
The man had a nicer car than mine! As in, it was clean and washed, and newer than my car. Sure, he might actually be homeless, but what homeless man rides around in a nice sedan?
Maybe he lost his home and now lives in the car he previously owned?
As stated before, I would rather have my money go to an organization that helps the homeless than to a man on the street who may or may not be a fraud.
Fraud... by begging?
Sure, everyone would love to get their whopping $5-10 by begging on the streets for hours, right?
Ho baby, they make a lot more than that. $200 easily, on a good day.
Is that the norm though? No, it is not.
Women with children, people with pets, etc. in a friendly city might make that much every once in a while. Not everyone, not every day.
Is that the norm though? No, it is not.
Women with children, people with pets, etc. in a friendly city might make that much every once in a while. Not everyone, not every day.
Depends on the panhandler's approach. Here in Seattle, they can be pretty aggressive when it comes to begging. People often hand over $20 just to make the person go away. At minimum, I'd say they make about $40 a day here.
In general, this article explains it pretty well. Even if they are legitimate beggars, how do we know that they won't just turn around and spend the money on drugs or alcohol? I realize that once the money is in the beggar's pocket, it's his to spend how he sees fit. However, if I'm giving someone money, it's with the expectation that they will use it to get back on their feet, not to bury themselves in hopeless addiction. Since I cannot trust a random stranger to use my donation to better his life, I'd rather help him in different ways. Some people suggested buying them food. That's a great idea. Give 'em a banana or something. Or just pay their bus fare. Heck, if you can offer them a job, like mowing lawns or whatever, even better.
In New York City, as you may imagine, there are a ton of homeless people. I usually give them a dollar or so. I'm not the kinda person who cares what that money goes to. If that guy wants to buy a beer with the 3 dollars I just gave him, fine.
However, I don't feel that I can trust most of these "homeless" people.
One day, I was walking back from Pike Place with a friend when a scruffy guy approached us and asked if he could have some money for food. I happened to have some Chinese roll thingy stuffed with chicken, and I offered it to him. He completely ignored me and proceeded to harass my friend for money. After my friend handed over some quarters, he was on his way.
On another occasion, I was eating at a restaurant when I saw a man get out of his car, don a grimy sweatshirt and beanie, and pull out a cardboard sign. On my way out of the parking lot, I saw him standing on the street corner, claiming to be homeless, and begging for money.
I understand that there are actually homeless people out there who need money to live, but these swindlers kinda make it hard to trust them.
Have you ever given money to panhandlers? If so, how did it go?
I wanted to be one of the cool kids.
Pshh. I just carry around a shotgun; anyone who gets within my ten foot safety bubble gets a round of buckshot to the face.
Sire I inquire as I do with most, but do you mean to gloat? For is it truly such a tire to reply to the host with but a simple QUOTE?
They were very nice people, and it's a shame to see people so nice end up on a street corner begging for food.
One time I was in downtown Los Angeles and there was this (presumably) homeless man who was drunk or mentally ill walking on a crosswalk and screaming into midair. It was kind of funny but very startling.
Another time, I was in Brooklyn. The bad part. There was this guy who was probably on marijuana that tried to give me a high five...
My late grandfather used to take homeless people to food trucks and buy them whatever they wanted provided it was healthy (no soda or junk food).
You know, not all homeless people are starving to death and begging for food.
They already know where to get food. There's a soup kitchen, shelter, etc in pretty much every major city.
What they need is money to pay for some of their other needs.
Homeless != living in a cardboard box under the bridge begging for pennies
Just look at the word. "Homeless." It means exactly as it looks. Without a home.
The guy could very well be homeless and still have a car. Also, what's wrong with a sweatshirt and beanie?
If the guy had a home and a stable job, then it'd be much more worth it for him to just go to his job. You don't exactly make a $70K/yr living off of street begging, and I'd imagine it's not that pleasant/fun either to do it as a hobby.
I never give out money when I am approached by a homeless person I do, however, offer to buy them some food. I also keep bottled water and granola bars in my car now in case I am in a hurry somewhere.
And there's plenty of programs to donate to that take care of those "other needs." I'd rather donate to them then to some stranger on the street.
The man had a nicer car than mine! As in, it was clean and washed, and newer than my car. Sure, he might actually be homeless, but what homeless man rides around in a nice sedan?
As stated before, I would rather have my money go to an organization that helps the homeless than to a man on the street who may or may not be a fraud.
The point I was trying to make is that they don't necessarily need the food.
If you don't want to help supply his "other needs," then that's perfectly fine.
Maybe he lost his home and now lives in the car he previously owned?
Fraud... by begging?
Sure, everyone would love to get their whopping $5-10 by begging on the streets for hours, right?
Ho baby, they make a lot more than that. $200 easily, on a good day.
Is that the norm though? No, it is not.
Women with children, people with pets, etc. in a friendly city might make that much every once in a while. Not everyone, not every day.
Depends on the panhandler's approach. Here in Seattle, they can be pretty aggressive when it comes to begging. People often hand over $20 just to make the person go away. At minimum, I'd say they make about $40 a day here.
In general, this article explains it pretty well. Even if they are legitimate beggars, how do we know that they won't just turn around and spend the money on drugs or alcohol? I realize that once the money is in the beggar's pocket, it's his to spend how he sees fit. However, if I'm giving someone money, it's with the expectation that they will use it to get back on their feet, not to bury themselves in hopeless addiction. Since I cannot trust a random stranger to use my donation to better his life, I'd rather help him in different ways. Some people suggested buying them food. That's a great idea. Give 'em a banana or something. Or just pay their bus fare. Heck, if you can offer them a job, like mowing lawns or whatever, even better.