February 19, 2009
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Begging
I live in the Houston area and every day I drive by people begging for money. The other day I saw a guy begging who was listening to an iPod.
I have noticed that some of the people who are begging have handicaps of some sort.
But the majority of those begging are men and they are probably between the ages of 30-50 and don’t appear to have any handicaps.
Would you give money to a man who looked like he could work?
Comments (146)
The economy.
I said it first.
Physical capability isn’t the only deciding factor in employment.
yup. and i do, sometimes. JUST CAUSE.
there’s karma in it, somewhere… like when i find a dollar in my coat pocket.
and that feeling-like-a-decent-person-thing.
it enables me to continue outlandishness on my blog.
My friend was telling me about this guy who was begging. When he was done, he drove off in his car.
What a scam!
Agreed to the two in front of me.
& I might give money.
Perhaps in dallas. Not where I am–the job surplus is ridiculous. I saw one on his cell phone..
I’d probably just get him a lunch unless there was some especially pressing problem that required money.
Not if he had an IPod on his head…because, in addition that tells me he has somewhere to charge it. I’d skip him and go to the next. I’m a giver though.
We have a guy here in town that begs all the time but you can also see him later walking back to his car…and it’s a nice one.
Yes. It’s my Christian duty.
I don’t give money at all. I give them food. I don’t trust people, and I’m not about to support someones habit.
I usually give to older women, and older men, sometimes teenagers. If I see a perfectly well ajusted man, WITH AN IPOD! I’m not giving him anything.
Yes, he may have a mental illness that makes it hard or impossible to work
Lol. 11 comments in the span of 3 minutes and counting.
I don’t know if I could summon up the kindness to give money to someone listening to an iPod… he could easily sell that to a pawn shop and get some cash. But yes, I do give to beggars because I feel guilty if I don’t.
I am not opposed to charity. I will gladly feed someone a meal or put a couple dollars in a gas tank for them. I, however, do not give money. It can then be foolishly spent on things like drugs and booze. I want to make sure they use the charity for good not bad. I would probably even feed a meal to the mans wife and children if they were readily available.
LOOKS can be deceiving. I give occasionally, there are a lot of “beggars” in downtown philadelphia
not if he was holding an I-pod. I’d tell him to trade that thing in for some cash if he needs it that bad.
Please, I lived in the Tenderloin. I ain’t givin’ no one, nothin’, no how. Muhfuckas.
To me, giving money to people is one of those things that people invest way too much thought into.
So I don’t think about it. I just give.
How ironic…I have been begging for an iPod
nope. i dont give money at all …. there are people out there who may not be able to work but those who are kind of ruin it for the others. lol. sooo how do you know the diff between somebody who cannot and somebody who can? i am not trying to get rid of my money by giving it to somebody who doesn’t need it … i work to hard for that.
My friend always buys food for this homeless man and his dog. The man always feeds his dog first. If there isn’t a lot of food, he gives all of it to his pooch.
most homeless guys who are not handicap are usually have mental disorder….but I once gave this handicap homeless guy money and when I drove off and looked back I saw him got off his wheel chair and ran off…
I have given money to some beggars before that looked they they really didn’t need it and felt wrong and many times I haven’t. I’m not really consistent either way.
i TRY to give food. Sometimes they throw it at me! oh well.
@seedsower - lol
One time, walking home from the train station, this guy came up to me and asked me for money, I told him I didn’t have any cash on me. Apparently this really means “I have cash on me, so keep asking and I’ll give you some.” because that’s what he did. I then said “look, I haven’t had a job in over a year, and the only reason I have a place to live is because I’m going into debt.” and he said “I don’t want to hear your life story, I just need money.” So I said “Then why the fuck should I care about you? Go starve to death in a ditch somewhere, shitspleen.”
He was not expecting that.
Where I live the kids like to “pretend” their homeless down town and try to pull one over on you daily. I’ve caught the same person 4 times, asking for money because he “lost his wallet”. There are similar instances like that here. So it’s hard to tell if their genuine or not.
if you’re capable of working, then i WILL NOT give you anything. if you’re just too lazy to get up and fill out applications, then i DO NOT and WILL NOT feel bad for you. i do sympathize with the people who can’t get jobs or have lost their jobs in this economy, but i don’t trust people. there’s no way for them to prove they are the later. i agree with @DommieGirlLovie i’d only give food.
theres a bum in my city who never begs for money because he HAS money. he’s rich, but he refuses to use it. nobody knows why he doesn’t. we all know who he is and respect him though. he’s a nice guy.
Nowadays, no because I’m closed to being brook. I used too give them my change especially during the winter time. If I was them I would want someone with a kind heart to help me out.
Usually there are no beggars in my city but I noticed “begging tourists” around Christmas. Most of them seemed to be acting and pretending but when I was in the right mood I still gave a bit.
Yeah the economy sucks, maybe he lost his job.
No, I don’t. Some of these men make begging their daily job and stand on the same corner and do it everyday.
When I moved to L.A. I was so affected by the homeless and now I have figured out most are drug addicts and could take care of themselves if they wanted.
I gave a kid begging for food a Burger King food gift card once, he was a teenager and he really looked like he was having hard times. I felt bad for him and I didn’t want to judge him and I figured I’d want someone to help me in the same spot…I can’t always help everyone, but once in awhile someone will get to me…the person with the ipod, or the person who doesn’t look disabled…maybe they fell on hard times or maybe they have mental problems, you never know, Maybe the ipod is his last precious thing, the thing that keeps him going, who knows?
Maybe but I probably give him food instead.
I never give them money. I will offer to buy them food when they ask for money for food. When I tell them I’ll go buy it for them, the usually decline, lets me know real quick what they REALLY wanted the money for.It’s the ones who are dishonest that hurt the ones who trully need help. With the way things are going, I may be joining them begging! I have MEANS as the Obama administration calls it, but pretty soon my means will be dried up and because I had means before, I won’t be able to get any help. Kinda like TRADING PLACES, which is the title of a post I was thinking about doing!
I’d rather give them food..
I remember hearing about a man who was a CEO of a company. Stress was too much. Quit & then would dress like a homeless guy. Park his nice car somewhere & then go beg for money. He actually made more money doing that for the year then he did at work. It was crazy. I’m not sure if everyone is that lucky. But makes you wonder how many are doing it!
How about giving the guy a tract that says Jesus loves him instead?
Nope, I don’t give money to beggars. I know the economy sucks, but there are all sorts of things you can do…like recycle? Clean car windows at a gas station for a buck or two? Offer to trim someone’s lawn for a few bucks? People just want an easy way out. Begging would probably strip someone of their pride and dignity but they’re probably thinking “Hell, they’ll never see me again” or something. But sometimes I see the SAME people everyday. It actually bugs me because I work hard for my money. I don’t have any “spare” money laying around to feed people who doesn’t want to try to find a job or whatever.
You know what’s almost as bad as begging? Lately, I’m beginning to see children at gas stations w/ the same script, asking me to buy things from them to help pay for their school trip. I’m a sucker when it comes to doing things for children. They were asking for $8 for each item they were selling and it’s usually just a tin can filled w/ a pack of candies. Once, I told the girl that I only had $2 on me (I was pumping gas using my debit card) and she goes “It’s okay, I have $4 of my own money that I can add so it’ll be $6″. I’m like uhhh are you sure? Because you’ll still be $2 short? She said yea, it’s okay. So she “sold” me her $8 item for $2. It was then that I realized that I’ve been suckered!!!
I only wish I could give more than money to the people I see on the streets. I lived in San Francisco recently. The city with the highest homeless population per capita in the United States. I even worked for the San Francisco Homeless Services Coaliton for a short time(see sfhsc.org). Myself not being in the wealthiest bracket growing up, it has definitely crossed my mind of what it would be like to be in their shoes. Sure, some take advantage and use the money for things maybe not so useful to themselves. But should we punish and cause more pain to the ones who don’t by ignoring them? Any day that I know I am not putting myself in their situation by tossing a quarter, I will toss a quarter in their styrofoam cup. Of course I’d much rather buy them a sandwich. And after working for the SFHSC I have realized better than ever that donating to a non profit group such as that is the best way to help these people. They are never going to get ahead by living off a couple dollars a day because they will have to use the & when they get it so that they can stay alive a little longer. If you donate to an organization that will help them get off the streets and get a job you are not only helping the economy, but you are more likely to save a life or two.
@UnworthyofHisgrace - Buy a beer. lol
@seedsower - Now thats funny!
When I imagine myself in that situation, there’s no other answer but to give (unless strongly convicted otherwise). There are many homeless people in transition; they may receive an occasional rare gift but find it hard to hold down a job without having a permanent address. they should not be overlooked b/c of the few possessions they own. We all need hope in this world; is a homeless person any less deserving than the rest of us? Until we are in that position ourselves, we can only speculate; we don’t fully know the extent of their struggles.
When my Dad was a loser and on drugs and not working he made a KILLING in the panhandling field.. He said he would make good money just by asking people for it..
Freaking loser.
If they can beg, then they can probably do SOMETHING like knit little hats to sell or maybe wash plates for a restaurant. There’s always some way to get a job, and it’s more effective than begging. And more honest. Some “homeless” people like to refuse food that they’re offered. =P
I don’t give money. If i do give something, it would be food. I remember a woman begging for money and when i kept on walking, she flipped me off! I’ve been jaded ever since then.
Nope. I’m heartless.
well, i don’t think anyone would hire a homeless person anyways, regardless of whether he/she is capable of the job. so yes, i will give them money. i like giving food though, i think its better in the long run. but i definitely will not give money to someone who seems well off.
No, but two summers ago, I did give a homeless guy in Manhattan my leftover sandwich.
So yeah, I would not give money, probably, unless it was some small amount of loose change. Sure, you never know if they REALLY need it or not, but I don’t want to take the chance and fan the flames.
That’s a really hard question. It seems cut and dry but statistically those that are homeless are not that way because of the economy. If you had a steady job and were responsible and lost that job due to cut backs you can get financial help. Even if you had to move to a tiny apartment and cut back on everything, in most cases unemployment will help you out. Those who are homeless here that I have encountered are that way due to drug or alcohol problems. Of course there are always those cases where someone ended up on the streets, but I tell you what those that are capable of working and have any sense of pride won’t be begging on the streets, they’ll be applying at McDonalds if they have to. And even those with “mental disorders” can get social security and other government aid if they are truly handicapped in that capacity. I’m not trying to be heartless but I have encountered many homeless situations and few of those are innocent. I see no reason to beg in the situation you are describing.
@nattata - That or they would head for the liquor store if I gave them money.I have had several that were thrilled that I bought them something to eat!
No. I’ve been approached by too many “homeless” people that were just trying to screw me over. People that approached me begging for money on different days, with completely different stories.
Plus, I really don’t have extra money. If I give it all to them then I’ll be homeless myself. No thanks.
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@hellaz - in a way you are right, it’s our Christian duty to help those who are having a hard time, but we are also to be wise stewards of what God’ given us. There are many ways to give and help others without handing out money at every corner. Especially when that money may not got to food, shelter or necessities. I think working at a food bank or with a homeless foundation where you can actually see the help you are doing face to face is wiser, but that’s just my opinion.
I don’t give out money to beggars bc I dont trust them. Thankfully I don’t live in an area that has a lot of them.
I don’t usually run across beggars in the small town I live in, especially not right now with the weather in full winter mode. If I do run across one, I’ll probably toss them some change, or maybe a buck.
no
The only time I gave money was when the person stated “Hey man, I’ll be upfront wit’ ya’, I just wanna beer.” I thought his honesty deserved something.
I have given food that I had or bought food at times.
No.
If I had the spare change why not. A large percentage of homeless individuals were veterans in war or suffer from mental illness.
i do almost every day
funny how full of outspoken “‘christians” xanga is, and then when it comes to this question all of the answers are no.
Nope….never. I’ll support organizations that provide assistance and shelter, but I’m not going to take the chance of enabling scam artist or addicts.
Nope. I would never give money to someone who’s capable of working, and most beggars I’ve come across look like they can work.
Now people may think I’m a heartless person, but where I live, the government supports homeless people on the street by giving them unlimited access to homeless shelters, and the government is even supporting some of their drug habits by distributing drugs! Since the people who run my city are encouraging beggars to keep mooching off of them, that’s even more of a reason why I don’t feel sympathetic towards the homeless at all.
I don’t usually give cash but I carry prepared bags in my car with things that are helpful to someone who is really homeless. Like restaurant coupons, coupons for a nights stay at the Y or a homeless shelter pass, some food items that don’t need to be cooked, a fresh pair of socks, soap, toothpaste & brush, a bus pass, hat & gloves if it is cold, bottled water, bandaids with the neosporin on them. etc… That is what I give out if I am gonna just give randomly to homeless people….~Echo
I give food. I will go out of my way to get food for someone and commonly have here in Atlanta. I’ve been to prison and I know that scams are a lot more prevalent than someone needing just food to survive. More often than not, giving money supports a habit, not nourishment. I’m more likely to give my time and energy and efforts to places like the Salvation Army where people are trying to help themselves. My husband and I try to volunteer there every Thanksgiving Day and other times throughout the year.
Yes. My money belongs to God. Not me.
Hah, I rarely give away my money…to able bodied people or otherwise…
Heck no. If they ask for my money, I tell them theyre old enough to be my father, asking for money–have you got no shame, get a job, or dont talk to me.
I only give money to the ones with a missing limb. Even if theyre sitting in a wheelchair…I think its a hoax.
No, but I might give him a sandwich.
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you will not have to listen to his incessant whining about how hungry he is.”
i don’t give money.
i gave food once, but had it thrown back at me. so fuck them.
Yes some need it for transportation.
a lot of them have mental handicaps, where you can’t tell.
i’m never around homeless people.
but if i were, i’d probably go buy them a burger or something.
if I can, always.. Man judges the outward, God judges the heart.
Even if it turnsout he was a millionaire. My heart wasfor the mans good. Maybe I’m a sucker but I’d rather be that then a miser
@hellaz - Um, no… no it’s not. Giving money on the streets is NOT your duty. I never give money on the streets because it often goes to smokes and alcohol. Give it to shelters, charities, and churches. Then it goes to building homes, food, funding vaccines, and other legitimate uses. Never on the street. Did you know that some beggars (mostly in other countries, but I bet here too) rent/steal babies to hold when begging? Then they pinch them or mistreat them to make them cry so people will feel sorry for them. When you go on tours in Europe and China they tell you DO NOT give to these scam artists. It’s a trade, and it’s horrible. I think the only thing more disgusting than that are the “baby tossers” in Europe. They literally “toss” a baby at you (a REAL one) and when you go to catch them, they rob your pockets and anything else they can strip off you and then they run away. My brother said the official travel guide said the best thing to do is not make eye contact with anyone holding a child, and if they do throw the child at you anyway, to NOT CATCH THEM, to just let them fall, that they’ve probably been dropped already dozens of times. I can’t even IMAGINE myself letting the child fall. Fortunately, I have a helluva mean snap kick. I could probably break their knees with a single kick, set the child down safely, and beat the beezus out of them. The broken knuckles would be worth it…
NEVER give out money on the street…
@bodyheartmindsoul -
sad
he was listening to an iPod?! Wow, he could sell it and get some money! usually i give money to homeless men/females who look like they are incapable of working. There’s a huge problem with homelessness in San Francisco.
Pay-It-Forward!!!! That movie makes me cry everytime i see it.
I wouln’t give him anything if he’s perfectly capable of doing work. IF he can do it, I’m not going to do work and then give him the money I earned.
Yes, because just because you’re physically able to work, doesn’t mean you can get a job.
Look at the economy.
Maybe, just depends.
I think it should be noted that the current economic crisis has thrown many people out of work, and onto the streets. I wouldn’t assume a healthy male is just being lazy if he’s begging.
I give money when I can.
Well, not if he has an ipod. Why? Because he could sell that ipod for a decent buck…that’s why.
If he doesn’t have an ipod? Sure. Or, if I don’t have money, I’ll give him a sandwich, or a sweater. Something he can use.
@MusingsOfAnAlmostSocio - I was being sarcastic.
I barely have money for myself, so I definitely don’t give it to people I don’t know.
I dont think I would. If they have an ipod, they dont need money. Sell the ipod, get some cash, buy a suit, get a job.
I don’t always give money, though when I see someone who really needs it, I do, but I mostly work in homeless shelters on the weekend so I do my job on giving back to the world.
I sometime see these 60-70 yrs old grandmas and grandpas collecting cans and bottles for deposit especially the asian ones here in nyc…maybe this guy with the ipod can learn a thing or two from these elderly. Another thing, I volunteered at numerous home shelters/soup kitchens here in NYC and there’s really no reason why someone who is physical capable need to be homeless permenantly. don’t know about other places, but there’s a lot of help for the needy here in nyc.
i wouldn’t. it happens here too. i just simply refused to. i dont know what’s their story. but if they’re not physically disabled in any way, then i think they can work.
Almost always. I reserve judgement when it comes to being asked for help.
“well if you put it that way….”
it’s hard to know, sometimes you just give out of compassion, nothing more to it
Yes. We have no way of knowing why a person doesn’t have a job.
I had a neighbor for a brief time who had been in the military, and injured his spine. They discharged him and he got a check every week so he wouldn’t starve. But he wasn’t really that bad off… he could get around quite well. However, because he was on disability and had been discharged due to a spinal injury, no one would hire him. Insurance, you know. No employer would touch him. So he was basically piddling his life away, bored and restless, watering the heck out of the tree in his yard just to give himself something to do.
http://www.xanga.com/bodyheartmindsoul/693261456/xangaxangaxanga/
not to plug myself (i never do, my entries are pointless. just an update for my friends). but an opinion from some of you christians that said no would be interesting.
@hellaz - Oh. Right. Gotcha. Lol
If they’re playing some cool music I will.
Yes.
i’d buy the ipod off him.
No.
Yes. Spread The Wealth.
Of course not. I will give money to a person who looks like he truly needs it. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this country. If you’re trying to cheat people out of money, then you get no respect from me, nor any money. Get your ass up and go find a job like the rest of us if you’re capable.
And, seriously, he was listening to an iPod? He could sell that thing and get a decent meal and some warm clothes. That’s just ridiculous. Some people have no shame. They don’t even pretend to be broke.
I saw someone begging in a clean pair of white Nikes when I was in Boston. I wouldn’t give him money either.
Money – never.
Food – if I have any on me to spare.
@theslayer1992 - aww.. that’s so sweet.
If he looks like he could also beat me up, yeah. Actually, it’s been years since I gave anyone money. Guess I’m a meany.
no. i prefer to keep my loose change and throw it at people or down gutters.
If I have, I give.
I saw a homeless man walking his wheelchair across the street…
Some physical conditions fluctuate and many are not readily apparent such as heart condition, back/spine injury, joint deterioration, or physical brain damage to name a few.
There are also varying degrees of physical disability. And many people who are on the street have mental disabilities or emotional damage. Many do have problems with addiction, but in some cases, this came as a result of being homeless, not the other way around.
We went to the hospital today to visit a relative who had surgery. My daughter asked to buy a soda from the machine. Everyone popped out their wallets. She collected $5 for a $1 soda.
I think she may grow up to pan-handle.
@MidnightExotica - You have no idea of the reality of life on the street. Don’t be so quick to judge.
@WoundedScapegoat - I never claimed to know the reality of life on the street. The question was if I would give money to a man who looked like was capable of working – the question WAS NOT if I would give money to a person who was genuinely in need. My answer to the original question was no. If the guy is listening to an iPod and begging for money, it doesn’t make sense – if you need food, you sell your iPod. Common sense, no? I will take that person to a local deli or fast food joint and buy him food, if he is hungry, but I will just not give money away to a person who I feel is being dishonest. I work hard for my money and others should put in the same amount of effort if they are able to do so. And, I really see no point in questions like these being posted up if someone is going to sit there and judge my opinion 24/7. Dan asked for my opinion, right? And, I gave it. Whether I know the reality of life on the street is completely irrelevant to Dan’s question.
We all do. It’s called welfare and it’s government funded, as in from our pockets in the first place. It’s all a bunch of shenanigans that debilitate our ability to produce. Welcome to Welfare Society. The only thing that can make this situation improve is to take away the ability to vote from those who accept government funds.
but would you hire someone who smelled awful, had horrible looking clothes and greasy hair?
I bet you wouldn’t.
You think they’re really so capable of getting jobs?
@MidnightExotica - - ”I never claimed to know the reality of life on the street.” Then why did you judge him and any homeless person with an IPod as if you do know?
“If the guy is listening to an iPod and begging for money, it doesn’t make sense – if you need food, you sell your iPod. Common sense, no?”
No. He may have enough money to eat on, or perhaps he gets some assistence (though it generally isn’t enough alone), or he saved up money some other way. In any case, it probably took quite awhile. But if he isn’t able to work, it doesn’t matter how much he gets, he is most likely still going to remain on the street. And even if he can work, noone wants to hire someone who looks or smells bad, or who just doesn’t look & seem perfect and employable. If they don’t get even the right ‘feeling’ about the person today, (which btw, it is difficult to maintain that level of confidence and demeanor on the street) is he or she going to be able to provide enough (recent) references? Are they going to be able to show up for work every day on time looking clean and professional, with clean and pressed clothes? Are they going to even have a current phone number? A mailing address for their employer to send their check? What if ther employer requires them to own a vehicle? And what if they don’t have a driver’s license?
This is all in addition to finding food to eat btw, which is the frist priority of a person on the street, and which can at times be extremely difficult to do.
“I will take that person to a local deli or fast food joint and buy him food, if he is hungry, but I will just not give money away to a person who I feel is being dishonest.”
My point is, that you are superficially judging that person based on their appearance and your ignorant understanding of their situation. Just because they have a means of listening to music doesn’t mean they are capable of work, or that they are attempting to deceive you. Most likely it just means they are trying to keep themselves sane.
You are completely entitled to your opinion. As I am entitled to respond to it. I apologize if you can’t handle that.
@WoundedScapegoat - You are entitled to respond to whatever you want. Apparently you have nothing better to do with your time, than sit here and argue with someone over Xanga. How about trying to tackle real life problems, dude? Frankly, I find your defensive reaction to my opinion quite pathetic. Everyone is not always going to agree with your point of view – you merely make yourself, if anyone, look ignorant by bickering back and forth, in regards to an already controversial issue that everyone has a different view about. More than half the people here held the same opinion as me. Given that you seem to really enjoy arguing with others and enforcing your beliefs upon them, I suggest you go find yourself another victim to try and torture with your mindless rubbish. Like I said, REALLY pathetic that you had to drag this to this extent. Since you wrote me a novel, I honestly didn’t read past the first couple of sentences, but thought I’d let you know that you should probably invest your time in wiser things than Cyber World.
@MidnightExotica - @MidnightExotica - Oh are you still responding? You’re taking time to write a paragraph telling me how pathetic I am for responding to youre superficiality? Lol. Now who’;s defensive? And my reaction is defensive because this issue is personal for me, and because I find callous, shallow and judgemental people offensive.
“Everyone is not always going to agree with your point of view.” Who says they have to? And who says I have to agree with you? And as it happens I don’t. So what’s your problem?
“More than half the people here held the same opinion as me.”
Oh yes, that clearly makes it true hahaha!
“Given that you seem to really enjoy arguing with others and enforcing your beliefs upon them”
Ah, another false accusation. You seem to be quite good at that.
“I honestly didn’t read past the first couple of sentences,”
Yeah big surprise there.
I don’t hand money out on the street.
I work with organizations that give. I’ll make or serve dinner, buy blanket and socks, but not give on the streets.
I actually stopped giving money to them in general. This one time I was walking in the city and some guy dressed in complete rags was walking around telling people he just lost his job at wallstreet. Now… if he had been dressed just as bummy and dirty in a SUIT, I would’ve believed him. The economy today is seriously terrible. People are losing jobs and I would’ve given something this guy if he wasn’t lying.
Are we talking websites that have paypal donation buttons, or just people in the streets?
Like ANT_L, I try to give food to them, too. Some actually won’t take it.
yes. some beggars get things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford because someone gave it to them. It’s not necessarily a sign of fraud. The beggars who are deceptively cheating the system is a minuscule percentage of the number who are actually homeless and don’t know what to do or where to go besides begging.
Not all handicaps are *physical*. Not all are visible. A lot of beggars are people subject to severe mental disorders that cause them to continuously lose jobs. Others have a criminal record and a bad credit rate making it hard to find a job. It’s also hard to find work if you just have no support network. No clothing to wear for an interview, no place to go to get an application. It’s not as if they can easily go online.
Sure some are people who just prefer that lifestyle of sitting around begging than working life. Some just feel so overwhelmed by stress and debts and conflicts with the people that they cared about or the horrors of past traumatic memories that being free on the street just seems easier and even peaceful for them in comparison. It seems horribly boring to me but they have a right to live however they choose so long as they act in accordance with the rules.
Ideally I think the system should be designed to help these people in more substantial ways and nobody would ever *have* to give them money on the street. But it’s not. So yeah I feel there’s nothing wrong about giving money to beggars.
@MidnightExotica - Woundedscapegoat is a brilliant, God-fearing, self-sacrificing, hard-working, respect-worthy, thoughtful, generous, decent father. He may get worked up and write a few pages (lol) but it’s only b/c he’s very passionate about this issue; especially as it pertains to the “hidden treasures” on the street.
@WoundedScapegoat - i know you are passionate about this love. but like you have said many a time before, a man’s worth is not based on other people’s opinions of him. when the world crashes down on some of the proud, as inevitably it will, we will have to remember to show grace and kindness even to those who were not as merciful and compassionate to others.
Ahhhh I live in Philadelphia and every day on my way to work I have to deal with getting harrassed by at least 6 people asking for money in the 4 blocks I have to walk from work to the subway.
When I was in middle school -> hs, i’d have to make weekend trips to Philly for music classes, and I’d feel so bad for the bums (sorry, i’m just so freaking jaded at this point) to the extent that I’d give my uneaten lunch to them or shell out dollar bills.
Now? I’ve lived in center city philadelphia for 6 years and I can tell you that the percentage of scammers is enough for me to at the least, ignore them completely. I saw a guy bitch me out for not giving him my change and then 2 seconds later pulls out a cell phone and starts making calls on it. I’m not going to litter the blog with bum stories but yea.
Definitely not. =P I work damn hard for my money and GOD FORBID I don’t appreciate people looking for handouts when I work my ass off every day.
With the economy going the way it is… being on the streets is not a big stretch for anyone unemployed–myself include. I usually give money to street musicians and something edible to the rest ie chocolates on 1 Val day.
No, I will not. I selectively give only to the elderly and the handicapped. And I know when I look closely.
maybe i would give money to someone who looked like they could work. i really can’t say unless i see an actual person there. i just feel bad for all of them in general :[
I give money to any “beggars”.
Though, I don’t really have the money to give…
I live in the Houston area too and strangers on the street scare me! I never open my windows for them. I heard that women are less likely to give to the homeless, which surprised me because I thought they would be more sympathetic, but if I’m afraid of them, it makes sense that other women would be, too. Plus, I mean, it’s not just the homeless, just strangers, especially strange men, scare me in general, and almost all of the homeless I’ve seen are men.
There used to always be this amputee though outside the Galleria (over where you have to cross the street to get to Dillards), and I felt sorry for him. I mean, he has no legs. It’s not hard to feel sorry for someone with no legs when you yourself have legs.
Yes, I would and I have. From personal experience, I know that whether one can work cannot necessarily be discerned by looking at the person. In fact, only the individual himself actually knows whether he can work.
@MusingsOfAnAlmostSocio - That is HORRIBLE! I would beat the crap out of them too.I mean BABIES man! where are people’s heart?
I don’t give money to beggars anymore. I did when I was younger. There was even one guy on the El who walked into our car and said, “I have a legal document in my pocket that states that I am homeless and poor… *yada yada*”. I looked at him and said, “I don’t see how that makes a difference.” and he started apologizing and talking about how he was stupid for thinking he deserved our hard-earned money. Some people have serious problems with guilt of any sorts – even if it wasn’t created by them.
I try NOT to give money. Money can be used for anything. If you give them bread then you know that it will be used for.
If he’s poor, how can he afford an IPod? Some of those “homeless people” have better homes than you do, and drive nicer cars.
It depends on other stuff…. Like…if he looks like he can work, and doesn’t look like he really lives on the streets…probably not.
I’ve never given to a homeless person. I just think there’s enough help out there for the homeless, all sorts of programs. I still feel bad, but I don’t want them to depend on me or other people. It’s like tough love.
Most of these homeless people are scamers. About 1/2 of them get and cash some type of SSI check each month and have loads of money on them. My mom use to be a cop here in the town I live in and once she had to search a homeless woman who had died in her sleep. The homeless woman have over $!50,000 on her. The lady had no family so all that money went to the city.
I don’t really give money lately. My dad has encountered fakers before and it’s kind of frustrating to see. Also, how do I know that my money isn’t going towards alcohol or drugs? Then there are those kids in other countries (I’ve never encountered them here in the U.S.) who are sent by adults to beg and you’re almost certain that they’re not really benefitting from it =/ And the last time I tried to help a stranger out, I got robbed. Shame on me for being so trusting.
I kind of wish there were a way to distinguish the truly needy from those who are just looking to take advantage of people’s kindness.
psh no
if they were disabled, or elderly, maybe
Typically no.. ‘specially the guy with the ipod. I’d be like “if he is so desperately in need for money, I believe he would have tried to have sold that thing before begging.” But yeah.. I give money to people who I feel like are really down on their luck. I also usually try to just sit and talk with them a moment too. Find out their story, you know?
<3, ~*Akarui Mitsukai*~
P.S. Also, it’s best to just take them to a nearby quick restaurant and get them food/a drink, rather than just give them money for it. If they’re truly hungry or thirsty, they’d typically be happy to oblige. If they have a family they were hoping to use the money for food for, then offer to buy a little extra for them to be able to carry back to said relatives. You know?
Anywho.. Best wishes!
Ugh, no~ I would tell them to go to jail, it’s like camp.
You get free room with a television, free dental care, etc.
…And if you’re lucky~ you might get a roommate ;D
Gosh, I know this is an old question but YES!
I don’t care if they go buy something irresponsible after I give them my spare change. I don’t know if they will or not, and I’m not about to run the risk of withholding something from someone truly in need. Besides, how is keeping my spare change going to stop someone from any sort of addiction? It’s not like they’ll stop and think “aw shit, since she didn’t give me anything, I’ll just not buy my fix today”.
Help a brother out, yo.
The concept of “sturdy beggars” has been used for centuries and is wrong. It is not whether they could work, it is whether there is work to do.
For Christians, there is no choice. you have to give and with a non-judgemental attitude.
Yes.
yup
but i’d probably give food first
or both