Posted on 02/22/2012 1:07:59 PM PST by SmithL
Panhandling has always been an important part of human existence, ever since people were put in poverty by a society that sometimes lacks mercy. It is not fair or accurate to say that you should never give money to a panhandler. There are people who would perish without the generosity of strangers. We can not presume to know that they created their own problems and should reap the results. There are plenty of people who became poor largely due to circumstances that weren't under their control.
I have given coins out of my pocket to panhandlers under certain circumstances, and sometimes not, when I felt that it would jeopardize me or someone to do so. I have compiled a guide that works for me concerning when I give a few coins in my pocket or not. Since I rarely carry cash except for these few coins which serve as meter money or candy bar money, I am not in a situation of getting my wallet out.
To begin with, since I am a smoker I get asked for cigarettes a lot. However, many of those who ask me for one look like they could possibly be underage. In these instances, I always refuse. (I do not have to give a reason.) On the other hand, if someone appears close to my age and also does not appear to be an undercover cop, I will often give someone a smoke when asked. For those who believe that smoking is a horrendous evil, just ignore this part of the manuscript.
When someone is holding a sign at a freeway off ramp, I drive by without helping that person. I send that person good thoughts. However, I do not want to create a hazardous situation that could cause a car accident. You are not doing anyone a favor when you block traffic to give to a panhandler, especially when this causes a car accident that could entail someone getting injured.
Is someone appears threatening to me, I do not give help. This is entirely by my perception and does not rely on an attempt at objectivity. If I feel threatened, it is bad for me to help the person who is associated with that feeling, even if it is only in my own mind. I will remain polite to that person and will speak respectfully, but will not give money in return for intimidation. (Of course this idea does not include the IRS.) How do you know if someone is truly threatening you? Often you don't know and must operate by what feels real from your own limited perspective. If someone is exchanging threat for cash, it is not a gift, it is extortion. This is a bully-ism and is a different idea than the threat of a crime being perpetrated, which I cover next.
If it is late at night, if the situation seems scary, or if you think you could be a victim of robbery or violence, then you must do whatever works in that situation. Usually that entails getting some distance as quickly as possible, and doing so without increasing your vulnerability-which getting out your wallet or getting close to a person would do. I was in front of a Macy's at a mall when three gentlemen who appeared to be sporting a tough guy fashion, (you know, the goatees and scarves over the heads) approached me and one of them said, "Give it up." Rather than standing there waiting for them to get closer, I quickly stood from the bench (where I had been reading) and ran into the Macy's so that anything that would happen would be recorded by their security cameras. The three followed me in but then realized they were among Macy's shoppers, and they proceeded to look like idiots, and then they left.
A few years ago, I was in front of a McDonald's and had just bought a couple of hamburgers, when a man begged for help and said that he was starving to death and had problems with his blood sugar. I handed my hamburger to that man. He was quite grateful.
When I am on foot, and in public where everything feels safe, and someone asks for spare change in a respectful way (they do not need to humiliate themselves or beg, they just need to be polite) I will give that person whatever change is in my pocket, which might total less than a dollar, or which could be a couple dollars. If I had more income and if I carried cash more often, I would give more. In addition to the change I am offering, I am giving the message of unconditional love. This does something to better the human condition.
“, ever since people were put in poverty by a society that sometimes lacks mercy.”
Capitalism’s fault again!
99 times out of 100 I won’t give money to panhandlers. But I always make an attempt at eye contact when I refuse.
The first time I saw a panhandler in my home town was when I was twelve or so, before that I had only seen them in San Francisco, Seattle and other major metropolitan areas. Apparently there wasn't much of a “market” for what he was offering and HE WENT AWAY - probably to San Francisco. For the next five years or so I saw no panhandling or panhandlers.
Then around the age of 25 or so, when I would visit, I started to see a couple of them hanging around our little ‘downtown’. People were giving them spare change for their tattoos and piercings.
Now, over a decade later, I see a dozen of them shuffling around downtown. People are giving them money - so they continue to panhandle in my small home town. If people didn't give them money - hopefully they would GO AWAY!
Back to the major metropolitan areas where the modern day “urban outdoors-man” belongs!
A few years back, the do-goodniks in San Antonio decided to build a hundred million dollar homeless shleter.
That’s right. You read it correctly. $100,000,000.00
The homeless people don’t appreciate it. But it did accomplish one predictable goal:
It INCREASED the number of bums begging on the streets in San Antonio.
I often think about what I would do if I found myself in dire circumstances. In no scenario do I ever see myself standing on a street corner begging for spare change. I would take any job before begging in the street, be it working at McDonalds or pumping gas. If things were truly so bad that I could not find a job anywhere, I would probably go to the dirtiest section of town with a broom and a few trash bags and hang a sign that I am unemployed but will be cleaning up the streets and would appreciate any donations for my service. Then I'd get busy sweeping the street and filling the trash bags with litter.
I bet that approach would coax a lot of quarters and dollar bills out of passers-by and maybe even one of the local business owners will come out and personally offer me a job for my initiative.
This is where people around the world come for opportunity.
But some would rather stand around begging for change for their next alcohol (or other drug) fix.
And I’m just the opposite. When I’m hit up for money on the streets, I ignore them. I don’t look at them. I don’t speak to them. I just keep on walking.
I do go “on alert” in case this provokes them, but so far - so good.
On my last visit to my Daughters and Granddaughters in San Berdoo, Kalifornia, I would see teams of these moochers at every strip mall, 7/11, grocery store or where ever. Their clothes, although shabby, were clean, as they were. They probably live better than I do!
Several years ago they busted a guy who was pulling in two to three hundred dollars a day by holding a sign that said “WILL WORK FOR FOOD”.
What a great question!
My most treasured handout was to a very old Irish woman who lived on my street in New York City. I would buy her coffin nails. I can still remember her sweet “Bless you! Bless you!” as I went to catch the bus.
Actually panhandling "pays" way more than a typical low end service job. There used to be a woman who worked the street near my office. I used to feel pity for her story of homelessness, etc. until one day I saw her at the end of her "shift" putting her tattered coat into her backpack and taking out a nice coat. Then she climbed onto an expensive bicycle and drove off. Paying more attention to her I saw her buying breakfast with plenty of cash early in the AM and then doing her job for about five hours. She pulled in from 10 to 40 dollars per hour.
As for the panhandlers that aren't tricking you, you can assume whatever money you give them goes straight to the cash register at a liquor store or to the nearest crack, meth or heroin dealer. In my experience most of those folks don't want food, just money to spend on their addiction. They need real help, not cash to enable their substance abuse.
NEVER give money to an Obamazombie, it only encourages them.
NEVER give money to an Obamazombie, it only encourages them.
NEVER give money to an Obamazombie, it only encourages them.
NEVER give money to an Obamazombie, it only encourages them.
I have no idea why it posted this 4 times.
Best is to carry protein bars or bags of nuts and hand them to the beggars by the sides of the road. If they are truly hungry it will help them.
I have recently seen some of these people being “dropped off” at their exit in a nice car. Nicer than mine at the time. This angered me. I am wondering if there is a big pimp style organization that uses these people and collects The money.
I only say yes if they have a good story and reality has been kind to me lately. The story has to at least make it sound like this money could put you on the path to self sufficiency, I don’t care if it’s a lie, make it sound good. Panhandlers need to understand that they’re in the business of selling a sense of goodness, the person is giving them money to feel good about themselves. So sell it well.
I don’t let panhandlers approach me. I know of a guy from a nearby town who was in Pueblo, CO walking down the sidewalk when a man approached asking for spare change. While he was distracted the beggar’s partner came up behind and hit him in the back of the head with a 2x4 and they robbed him. He is now paralyzed from the neck down. Never let strangers approach you. Years ago I was almost robbed in the lobby of the hospital in Richmond, Virginia by two guys who wanted to know the time. They grabbed my wrist and went for my watch which looked expensive but wasn’t. Just then the elevator opened next to us and they ran.
well I know I’m considered the forums resident soft assed pu$$y
i give to folks whenever the mood hits me....hungry..dope..bottle...it depends....helps if they are polite
and yes ...in the third world where i where spent 20 years....Colombia...Haiti....Sierra Leone...etc
i gave too....limbless folks....kids with open sores and swollen bellies and rickets
yep gave to them too....
never knew they did all that to themselves on purpose so they could beg better
silly me
but you know the biggest jerkoffs I’ve given to have neen some on this very forum
either downright ungrateful or just shameless
i prefer to give to bums and blind kids
and no...i do not mean freepathons
JR and company are actually undercompensated considering the drama they have to endure
well I know I’m considered the forums resident soft assed pu$$y
i give to folks whenever the mood hits me....hungry..dope..bottle...it depends....helps if they are polite
and yes ...in the third world where i where spent 20 years....Colombia...Haiti....Sierra Leone...etc
i gave too....limbless folks....kids with open sores and swollen bellies and rickets
yep gave to them too....
never knew they did all that to themselves on purpose so they could beg better
silly me
but you know the biggest jerkoffs I’ve given to have neen some on this very forum
either downright ungrateful or just shameless
i prefer to give to bums and blind kids
and no...i do not mean freepathons
JR and company are actually undercompensated considering the drama they have to endure
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