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Do you give money to panhandlers?

Do you give money to panhandlers?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 23.5%

  • No

    Votes: 51 75.0%

  • Yes but not in my own 'hood

    Votes: 2 2.9%

  • Yes but only in my own 'hood

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Yes but only fake money

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No but I give them booze

    Votes: 1 1.5%
  • Total voters
    68
A number of times I've seriously considered looking for one of those guys holding a sign that says will work for food when I needed some help with a few projects around the place, but none of them hold that sign any more.
 
The most successful one in South Florida sign said, "I just want to catch a buzz".
I was shocked at the number of people, who gave him a buck.
 
Like Quadman2 said, depends. Usually I'm pretty skeptical. Usually I can spot the fakes and sometimes they make it easy. I stopped once at a 7-11 on the way home and there was a guy outside. This alone was enough for me to check him out. Reasonably fresh sneaks, leaning on a railing and talking on a cell phone. He asked for some money and I'm thinking he can't even stand up to ask for help? Think I said no before he even finished asking. There used to be a guy panhandling near my job. The guy walked around all day asking for thirty-seven cents. Why $0.37 I have no idea. Not too long ago the Mrs & me were in a Chinese joint (restaurant) waiting for some take out. An elderly woman approached me and asked if I could spare some change to get something to eat. A quick once over said she's either homeless of struggling real bad. No way was I going to give her some change. I walked her over to the counter and said get whatever you want. I told the girls behind the counter whatever she wants, I'll cover it. She seemed genuinely surprised.
 
dogscanskate said:
This is exactly why I give them money. Many as you have stated are mentally challenged and may not be able to manage their welfare money. I too worked in ER where they show up for a hot meal, a bed to spend the night when it's too cold outside. They are taken in, yes they may abuse the system but why are they on the streets? Too many institutions were shut down here and they were shown the door without the necessary tools to earn a living. I choose to trust in them so one day they can overcome their illness, so I help if I can, I figure a human being is worth the risk for a few bucks.
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There used to be institutions for these people. They were working in most cases. We could manage them better with today's technology.
 
Champco said:
There used to be institutions for these people. They were working in most cases. We could manage them better with today's technology.
Click to expand...

I'm in Canada and in this province (Québec) health care is free (kind of) so many of our institutions were closed down to save costs. There is a high percentage of homeless people who do not have the ability or skills to hold down a job. Without wanting to be political, it is just a sad fact that they were forced to the streets to fend for themselves. Nobody here talks about the tragedy they are going through and people forget they even exist until they see them panhandle. I believe they deserve better because mental illness has a destructive effect on a patient ( and family ) who doesn't get the care he/she needs. I do not want to say ''no'' to the needy.
 
dogscanskate said:
This is exactly why I give them money. Many as you have stated are mentally challenged and may not be able to manage their welfare money. I too worked in ER where they show up for a hot meal, a bed to spend the night when it's too cold outside. They are taken in, yes they may abuse the system but why are they on the streets? Too many institutions were shut down here and they were shown the door without the necessary tools to earn a living. I choose to trust in them so one day they can overcome their illness, so I help if I can, I figure a human being is worth the risk for a few bucks.
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I think you may be confusing intellectually challenged with mental illness. So many of our patients who choose to be homeless do so because they are too paranoid to participate in their treatment. If we could legally require them to take their meds the homeless population would be drastically reduced. In the US it's ok to be psychotic as long as you are not dangerous to self or others. The only welfare checks that I know of are for moms with dependent children who through public assistance can become gainfully employed. People with disabilities can be eligible for Social Security benefits whether they've worked or not ( SSI or SSDI ).
 
Do you give money to panhandlers?

No..... I don't anymore.

Last time I ran into this situation a guy was begging for $5. right next to a fast food place.... said he was hungry. Gave him the $5, he headed straight towards the restaurant, then did a hard left and sprinted across the street to the liquor store. Lesson learned.

If someone appears to be in need of food I'll give them food, but not money.
 
Rarely. Very rarely.

Two times (out of several) I fell for their story I regretted it

1) I was walking down the street to go to one of the stores on it. A guy was standing by a bus stop and said he needed a few bucks to take the bus to his brother's house who was having a problem with his wife. I gave him a few bucks and kept on walking. A minute or so later, I turn around and see him duck into a liquor store. I turn around and walk into the liquor tore to see him paying for a bottle ob whiskey. . I didn't touch him but I let it be known, quite loudly and in colorful, descriptive language, what a piece of scum he was. The looks he got from the cashier and other customers was priceless.

2) I went out to get some breakfast tacos in the local gas station taqueria and this sorry looking dude was standing outside and said he ran out of gas and needs some money to get home. I gave his three bucks and start to go into the store and he says that's not enough and he needs more. I turned and the look I gave him made him cringe and I said "keep it up and I'll take my f**king money back. Try me." He quickly departed.

But, I swear, in Austin there's at least one panhandler for every stop light.
 
Champco said:
There used to be institutions for these people. They were working in most cases. We could manage them better with today's technology.
Click to expand...

State Mental Health Hospitals have all but become a thing of the past due to the change in commitment laws in the early 1970's. You can no longer hospitalize a person with mental illness against their will unless deemed a danger to self or others. If they are hospitalized it's short term and a judge must review the case. Mental health programs are now community based and voluntary for the most part.
 
No I don't. I give to charities so they can help people. Most panhandlers around here are orginized and just don't want to work a regular job. Some of them are very aggresive and I believe some of them will even lie about being a vet to get your money. I also donate clothes to GW and any other items that I don't use anymore.
 
I once had a tall attractive woman, who was obviously on drugs approach me, and I thought oh great, she's going to shake me down for money. Instead she says she has an interview coming on, and asks me to please play this song on youtube on my phone. For some reason I obliged, then she proceeds to dance provocatively for me in the middle of a parking lot. I waited till the end, and she asks me to critique her.I do, we both go on our way.
 
bigx5murf said:
I once had a tall attractive woman, who was obviously on drugs approach me, and I thought oh great, she's going to shake me down for money. Instead she says she has an interview coming on, and asks me to please play this song on youtube on my phone. For some reason I obliged, then she proceeds to dance provocatively for me in the middle of a parking lot. I waited till the end, and she asks me to critique her.I do, we both go on our way.
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scuse me, you are where????












LOL
 
only one time that I can recall....the guy said he needed money for bus fare home and he has been on hard times...I said I would cover the bus ride when the bus came...he thanked me...the bus came..I paid the bus driver the guy thanked me again and again. As I was walking off the bus he took his seat, I got back on the bus and gave him a 5. I always get them asking for money and always the same answer....I was just going to ask you for money.
 
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