Panhandlers?

[Fountain79]

Since moving from the suburbs into the city I have come into greater contact with this group of people. They have amazingly the same stories, "I ran out of gas, I need money. I need bus fare, can you spare some change. I am stuck in this city and I am trying to get back home." Bear in mind I am not talking about those who have suddenly found themselves penniless and without a home, I am talking about those who see it as a right to leech off others as their profession. Your thoughts?

[meganmonkey]

1. If you don't want to give them money,

don't give them money.

If it makes you want to help but you don't think giving them change is the best way, then volunteer your time or money at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, or volunteer at the VA hospital.

[Fountain79]

2. I don't...

[stray cat]

3. It is hard to tell the difference on the street

I generally don't give it directly to individuals but try to promote groups that use donations responsibly to help.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[stray cat]

5. Some people have made a racket out of panhandling

and they do better at it than I do working. I hate being played for a gullible sucker. I hate to deny anyone in real need but I also hate being irresponsible in terms of donations. Would you donate to an charity you never heard of and knew nothing about or would you investigate what charities use the money for first?

[Horse with no Name]

6. ...

:thumbsup:

[sleipnir]

9. Snap!

n/t

[Dr.Phool]

7. One time a guy came up to me and said,

"I'm not gonna bullshit you. I need some money for some wine".

I went into the beverage store and bought him a half gallon of wine, and then I sat down and drank some of it with him.

Honesty pays.

[seabeyond]

10. hey a bubba wanted some for smokes

i too bought his brand and gave it to him. yes..... i dont mind down and out,.... i dont like game playing

[Yupster]

14. I had a guy with a kid ask me outside of a Dairy Queen for

money to buy biscuits and gravy for him and his kid.

I gave him money and while me and my kid ate our breakfast we watched the other guy and his kid eat their biscuits and gravy across the restaurant. It was one of the best meals I've ever eaten.

I usually give because in the Gospel Jesus talks to his disciples about why they will or won't go to heaven. He says when he was naked they clothed him and hungry he fed them. They said but when were yopu ever hungry, and he answered what you do to the least of your brothers you do to me.

Never know who's asking you, so I give. I've had some bad experiences too, but oh well.

[NaturalHigh]

27. I've given a few bucks to people who were probably

not being completely honest. If by some chance they really were going to buy something to eat for themselves or their kids, though, I'm glad I gave it to them. I'm not going hungry, and I don't want anyone else to, either.

My wife always reminds me that, for all we know, the people who ask us for help might be angels here on earth.

[no_more_rhyming]

32. Thanks Yupster

What a great testimony to Jesus working through you to help His people.

[ragin_acadian]

17. sometimes it doesn't:

I was in N.O. last January, and some kid came up to me on Bourbon street and said: "got some spare change for a junky" (can't quite remember how he worded it, but he identified himself as a junky)

I said no, and walked away.

it is doubtful that approach was working for him.

[seabeyond]

8. hey seems to be a scam. i have a sick child in hospital and i need

money for fuel thing?. i willingly gave a 20.

6 months later, ran out of gas, needed to get to hospital. again i gave, but too much like other story

a little later, third one same area,....... from out of town, ran out of gas, kid needs to go to hospital for a fat lip. i told him i dont believe him, if asking for money, just do. he says come and see little girl in van. wonder who created the fat lip. he was in my face. was rude and intimidating..... i told him to fuck off. and.... if it wasnt in middle of day and right in front of store and my body half way in the car,..... who knows

i have decided this particular area is being hit with this scam

sorry for all those in need, but i am not giving to this anymore

[JeffR]

11. You'll find with time

You get a sixth sense to be able to tell the professional scammers from the people in need. Not foolproof, but wait and see. Trust your instincts.

[FlemingsGhost]

12. In order to do that, one needs to enage them, free of judgment.

Unfortunately, quite often these folks are scorned and often seen as "leeching off of others."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Oh, I thought you were talking about politicians.

A lot of similarities.

[KayLaw]

15. I don't care

I wish they'd come right out and just ask for money, but I'll give either way. Maybe it's a scam or maybe they're just to proud to beg. I don't care. I'd just as risk giving a dollar or two to a scam artist than give it to a church or charity that will use it God-knows-how.

[radwriter0555]

16. Well, think of it as their job... granted it sucks, it doesn't pay well,

and the benefits don't exist. But it's a living for this type of person. They're no different than the gypsies of yore, or pickpockets. It's just them doing apparently what they can do best.

The rationale doesn't justify what they do, but there is no reason to find it offensive. It just is. Your heart will tell you if indeed someone really needs help, or if the person is just "on the clock". Whether you hand a couple bucks to someone or not isn't about anything other than deciding whether to do it or not. It doesn't make much sense to take the time to pass a value judgement.

[justabob]

24. You'd be surprised how well it can pay for some

I used to work at a restaurant downtown. There were some guys who 'worked' the parking lot next to our store. The guys would come in right before we closed every night to cash in their ones for twenties etc. They each made more money than all the waitstaff... combined.

[radwriter0555]

34. Like I said, it's a living.. they're essentially working.. putting an

effort, etc... Not much different than a clerk or something, right?

Just without the taxes.. instead, you get humiliated.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. There is an intersection in my city where they stand all the time.

And as you wait for the light to turn you can watch them walk over to the liquor store and spend that money some poor dumb motorist just handed them, thinking they would buy food.

No, I never give them money.

[Warren DeMontague]

19. They don't bug me as much as the guys trying to sell the speakers out of

the white vans.

I'm pretty good at spotting a scam. "Five bucks for bus fare, I'll mail it back to you". That's an old one.

I trust my intuition on stuff like that, but even with obvious scammers, as long as people are not aggressive or in-your-face, it doesn't bug me too much.

[Bluerthanblue]

20. aren't we all panhandlers in some way or another???

don't all of us at some time in our lives, or in some way live off others either willingly or through 'deciet'???

How many people honestly can justify movie stars, sports idols, and other entertainment people being paid the kinds of salaries they are????

How much does your local policeman get? Fireman? Garbageman(sanitation worker)-? Teacher? even Doctor(take a good look at their student loans, and malpractice insurance)? Where would you be without them???We are marketed to, and coerced into believing we aren't 'ok' if we wear second and clothes, drive clunker cars, don't have the latest in gadgets, and gizmos- and we lay out our money to those whose hands give us in return a pair of sneakers with a swoosh design, that cost about 4.00 to make, but the tag reads 140.00-
and we 'feel' like 'were doing good'-

If people ask me for money, I always give, not much, cause to be honest, i don't have much- but i wouldn't want to be on the other side of the situation- not for anything. And i've been on the other side of undeserved kindnesses, all my life- We can choose to focus on people who have done us wrong- and seek to use us, or on those who practice random, or uncalled for acts of kindness, generosity and caring.

I believe in holding onto 'things' with a very loose grasp. Knowing what true poverty feels like, can really lower your 'needful things' list closer to where it should be- And free you up to focus more on what truly matters.

Money has its most value, when there is a large imbalance in its distribution.

[Fountain79]

21. There is a difference

From relying on the kindness of others for a short period of time due to your situation and purposely deceiving and using that kindness for your own financial gain. I am a teacher by the way, I know what I get paid, and I know the life and standard of living that I have assigned for myself. Movie stars, sports idols, and other entertaining people get paid the salaries they get paid because people are willing to fork over the money(voluntarily) to see them. Would you rather it go straight to the owners and/or producers?

I am a huge believer in helping others but again this particular group of people who CHOOSE to do what they do, barely garners my sympathy.

[Bluerthanblue]

22. if a panhandler is

not recieving money from you by your 'forking it over' then they are actually not panhandlers are they? Wouldn't they be called thieves? And likely threatening you with some kind of force- or danger if you didn't give willingly?

I agree with you in 'theory'- but your profession, my profession, and many others who live among the 'accepted' crowd, recieve payment for what we do and are not condemned for that- Perhaps the people we 'choose' to condemn, don't see any other real 'choice'???- and they are neither demanding your money, or your sympathy- You and I and everyone else are free to 'look the other way' if we so desire-

What pisses the hell out of me, is that I am paying money for the people at the top of this administration, who lie, cheat, steal, and have more money and power than any human being should, all the while wearing the mask of 'acceptable' and 'honrable' and 'servants of the people'- I'd sooner give to a sad schmuck standing in the intersection with a cardboard sign, being spat on, told to get a fucking job, being humilliated and yes, many times decieving others into believeing their plight is worse than it is-- at least they are looking you in the eye when doing it, and you have the choice to walk away leaving them behind-

I'm a huge believer in helping others, even if it appears that they have chosen to live lives as 'victims'- because that could be me- or you- or anyone else who is doing what they are to survive in this screwed up world-

[theHandpuppet]

23. Here's an alternative if you're wary of giving

Carry with you the name/address of all the local food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters in your area. Even in our small town there are several, and the Salvation Army even helps out those who are having a hard time paying for utilities and such. If you have a printer such info can easily be printed out on "business" cards. Also, keep a couple of small gift cards to local groceries in your wallet. Hell, you can even get inexpensive coupon books for fast food joints such as McDonald's and Burger King.

If it's a person wanting a meal, why not go with them? I've done that and if you've the time it may be a real eye-opener.

[Wordie]

29. Great ideas. eom

[Toots]

25. You sound just like Jesus. He would never want to help those scum either

:shrug:

[MissB]

28. Well said.

:applause:

[Fountain79]

37. Thou shalt not bear false witness....

[NashVegas]

26. I'll Give to Panhandlers if They'll Work For It (Be Creative)

Once, in midtown Manhattan, I was approached by a 6"4' black man who started with "Miss, would you give to the United Negro ("oh great," I thought, "play on my white, liberal guilt") Pizza Fund?"

I gave him $2. Happily.

[LoZoccolo]

30. In Chicago, a homeless person can go...

...to a hospital or a police station to get a place to stay (this is what the city will tell you to tell someone without shelter), and organizations such as the Salvation Army tell you not to give to panhandlers, so I generally don't.

[Saphire]

31. Just remember, those panhandlers are someones child...I think I

have spoken before about my son. He panhandles to get enough money to live(long, tough love story). If you don't want to give money, don't, but they are not trash...they are people.

[Bluerthanblue]

36. so, true, and so important for us ALL to

keep in mind-

And may your son find kind hearts, and discover new choices.

None of us are 'trash'- It is sad that we can't see ourselves in the eyes of those who society discards, as easily as we do those who are exalted, and idolized-

I wish you comfort-

[CornField]

33. My thoughts

Panhandling hasn't, in the past, been such a big thing here in Eastern Iowa. Lately I've noticed it seems to be more prevalent.

I've probably been duped a few times, but I don't let it bother me. I figure, I did the right thing by helping someone who said he/she was in need. The rest is on that person. For instance, as our family was crossing a mall parking lot to our car, a woman (who had obviously been crying) drove up and called me over. She said her former husband had taken their son for visitation and the two had traveled toward Chicago. They had an accident and she had no money for gasoline to get to the hospital where her son was and no family here to help her. I wasn't sure if the story was true, but the woman was obviously very upset about something. I pulled $40 out of my wallet and handed it to her. My husband told me I was insane. LOL!

So, I did my part by helping the woman. If she misrepresented herself, then the ugliness is on her -- not on me.

[Blue_Tires]

35. posted this in the lounge and it fell right off the table

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4595609