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.