Panhandlers, what do you do?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Vermont area
Principles rule when it comes to tricky situations like this. If you have the means to help those that truely need it, and you are so inclined, seek them out and help them. I don't accept solicitations for charity or sales, I'm proactive about it. This makes it much less awkward to decline to help a beggar. Type up a little note explaining your position on these matters and keep a couple copies in your wallet. Add some advice or reference some local resources like addresses of shelters. Give them that with a "I love to help people in need, I hope this helps you." and tip your hat as you move on.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by BikerWithTruck
Principles rule when it comes to tricky situations like this. If you have the means to help those that truely need it, and you are so inclined, seek them out and help them. I don't accept solicitations for charity or sales, I'm proactive about it. This makes it much less awkward to decline to help a beggar. Type up a little note explaining your position on these matters and keep a couple copies in your wallet. Add some advice or reference some local resources like addresses of shelters. Give them that with a "I love to help people in need, I hope this helps you." and tip your hat as you move on.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: West Chester PA
If there's change in my pocket, I'll usually try to help them out. However, I have two rules, mostly for safety's sake. I will NEVER reach for my wallet when someone asks for change, and if my son is with me (he's 5) don't bother asking becuase I'm not going to event think about putting us in a potentially dangerous situation.
Matt
Matt
New User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
have seen the same thing all over I look at them and wonder why they have to beg for handouts since there is a welfare system in place why dont they just go get on welfare, if pride stops them then they need to swallow it and move on , it is written he that doth not work doth not eat. keyword being WORK perhaps I am being cynical but thats my position on it, also bear in mind that some of those people out on the streets begging take in alot of money everyday with out working One that I heard of from the person that asked him why, his reply was I make more money doing this than at a job, and he was at the same spot everyday except weekends. So if you have the time to ask them go ahead and ask them why they do and also watch them to see if they get into a nice vehicle and drive to thier house if theydont have a car or house then go ahead and give them what you want do but dont feel bad or any guilt about giving me pesonally I get up in the morning and go to work not standing on a street all day
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Vermont area
Originally Posted by dag
I like this, its what i tend to do, I understand that sometimes it hard to know if the person asking really needs the help, but most times you can sense it....
One might think that passing off a couple bucks is doing a good thing, but remember all the people that will be asked for cash only BECAUSE it has worked before. Have pitty on the nice folks that like to help others but don't like being confronted on the street. Help us. Give your extra cash to somebody you KNOW needs it - like a family member. Charity starts at home right? Then you can look 'em in the eye.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: southwest michigan
I was pumping gas one time a deaf guy came up and handed me a card with sign language on it.I had just enough for gas but found 45 cents or so on the floor of my truck.When I handed it to him he acted offended and asked for his card back.I wasnt sure what to do but i gave him his card and told him what he could do with himself.
I do give to united way and at church and dont have a problem with people in need but im not a pushover either.
Fat250
I do give to united way and at church and dont have a problem with people in need but im not a pushover either.
Fat250
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
i am REAL rude with panhandlers, i don't beleive in it and i don't care for them at all, there are to many oportunities in this country to justify someone panhandling, i would like to drag them to my wife's country(kyrgyzstan) and show them REAL poor people with NO oportunity to get ahead. maybe after 1 month of living there poor they would get some motivation and get a job and a life.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
Originally Posted by BikerWithTruck
Principles rule when it comes to tricky situations like this. If you have the means to help those that truely need it, and you are so inclined, seek them out and help them. I don't accept solicitations for charity or sales, I'm proactive about it. This makes it much less awkward to decline to help a beggar. Type up a little note explaining your position on these matters and keep a couple copies in your wallet. Add some advice or reference some local resources like addresses of shelters. Give them that with a "I love to help people in need, I hope this helps you." and tip your hat as you move on.
Last edited by e1p1; Feb 21, 2006 at 09:56 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
I know there has been a few but here is another... True story: A friend and I were eating breakfast on a patio and a man came up to the tables asking for money. Later on that day I saw the same guy at Safeway buying a cartload! I feel better knowing where the local soup kitchen is to tell them where they can get food.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: CA Central Coast
I don't know if it's still around, but in SF and Berkeley years ago there was a newspaper called the "Street Sheet". The guy printed them up and handed out stacks to panhandlers and homeless for free, and they werre supposed to sell them to the public for $1 of which they kept a share.
One screwup (not bringing in the money) and they could no longer participate.
The "Sheet" was definitely "left" in it's subject and opinions, but what it did do was teach a work ethic and responsibility to folks that had either lost it, or never had it. With the money they could pay for clothes, shelter, food, whatever.
Many times as someone got clean, and better dressed...i.e. pulled himself up by his own bootstraps...they'd be offered a job by a "suit" who'd been buying from them.
I sometimes bought several a day, cause I SAW the results. Cool program.
One screwup (not bringing in the money) and they could no longer participate.
The "Sheet" was definitely "left" in it's subject and opinions, but what it did do was teach a work ethic and responsibility to folks that had either lost it, or never had it. With the money they could pay for clothes, shelter, food, whatever.
Many times as someone got clean, and better dressed...i.e. pulled himself up by his own bootstraps...they'd be offered a job by a "suit" who'd been buying from them.
I sometimes bought several a day, cause I SAW the results. Cool program.