Do You Give To Panhandlers?

[+ Avalon]

I don't. When asked I tell the person the address of the welfare department and local Catholic church.

 

When I was a teenager I once worked in a donut shop. I had the night shift after school. So a guy comes in saying he has no money and asks if he could have a free cup of coffee. I gave him a large cup of coffee plus a maple bar. Later when go to clean the tables I find the coffee cup almost full and the maple bar stuffed in it with only a bite taken.

[samhexum]

Depends on what he's asking for...

 

Edited November 13, 2017 by samhexum

[+ bashful]

Try walking from your office building in Chicago's loop to either of the train stations, and you will quickly get over any urge to give.

[+ Travis69]

I do give almost every day. I do evaluate them quickly as I walk closer to them. I give to the older or if they look like a disabled veteran. I do not give to the younger who look like they could work or more aggressive people.

[P Gren]

Most of societies' "charity" money is shovelled over to bankers and hedge funders through tax breaks and loops holes, leaving the rest of us strapped. People on the street are a result of this and a blip on the financial radar

[bigvalboy]

No...

[+ Avalon]

I had a friend who lived in Los Angeles who when parking her car would give some change to a homeless person if one was nearby because she was afraid her car might get damaged.

[P Gren]

No...

It's a symptom of our increasingly unequal society. Treat the disease.

[JayCeeKy]

I used to work with guys who were suffering from addiction. Recent true story. I was pulling in to the drive-in window of a fast food place when a former client came rushing up to my car window:

Him: Could you please give me a couple of dollars?

Me: Tim (not his real name), what do you need the money for?

Him: I'm hungry. I haven't eaten in a while.

(I pull out my wallet and Tim sees that I have quite a few dollars)

Him: Could I have five dollars?

Me: I tell you what, Tim. I will pull my car over and park and we will both go in and I will buy you whatever food you want. No limit. Or, I will just give you a dollar.

Him: I'll take the dollar.

I gave him a dollar.

[+ sync]

I try not to give, but I usually crumble and bear my wussiness.

[+ BlueSky]

I don't. I don't like being approached in public. I've had some real aggressive types get in my face and curse me out. So I just don't do it.

[rvwnsd]

With about three exceptions in the last 30 years, no.

 

I did, however, give two bags of groceries that were intended for the food pantry to a guy who was asking for money to feed his family. He thanked me profusely. A couple of weeks later I saw him holding the same sign at the same intersection. He recognized me and thanked me again.

[+ nycman]

No.

[LADoug1]

Once I simply bought the person lunch where I was eating. Prefer this to money.

[jjkrkwood]

If they appear able-bodied, NO..... But if the person has a disability, YES..... Its pretty simple to spot the lazy ones just looking for handouts. When I hear a long winded, REHEARSED, bullshit story... I tune OUT !

[Gvtire]

No but if they are asking for money for food, I'll buy them some food to eat. Also if they have a dog with them I'll by food for the dog.

[BaronArtz]

Yes I do. I find it brings me good luck later on in the day. So what if they buy cigarettes and alcohol with it? Even the Pope said we should give to panhandlers.

[+ Keith30309]

Sometimes - it’s depends on the circumstance.

But it seems a little odd if I have two metaphorical apples in my hand and someone else has none for me to not give him one.

[+ Lance_Navarro]

Sometimes - it’s depends on the circumstance.

But it seems a little odd if I have two metaphorical apples in my hand and someone else has none for me to not give him one.

 

And that's why you are loved! I always give money to musicians on the street and as far as others, it just depends on how I feel. On my previous trip to DC, a presumably homeless woman helped me to figure out the Metro card machine, then asked if I could spare a dollar, the smallest bill I had was a $20, so I gave it to her. I especially find that if I'm traveling and doing well financially, than I want to share that blessing with others.

[Kenny]

I give money with the caveat that it only be spent on drugs. Food and shelter are readily available from a wide variety of social service agencies.

[rvwnsd]

I give money with the caveat that it only be spent on drugs. Food and shelter are readily available from a wide variety of social service agencies.

No alcohol?

[+ FreshFluff]

Yes, I do give sometimes. The last one was lying on a stairway in a subway station, sobbing, with half his face bandaged. His sign said, "Kicked in the face while sleeping on the subway." I walked past and then backtracked to give him a dollar. If he buys drugs, I hope they make him feel better.

[+ azdr0710]

On a recent American Airlines flight from Barcelona to JFK, the flight attendants were panhandling! I guess American (and others?) has a campaign now to take donations of any country's currency. Good way to get rid of leftover Euro coins.

 

Otherwise, I dropped a few coins in the various cans/hats of needy-appearing street people/entertainers while in Barcelona and while on another recent trip in SE Asia. Thought it might bring me good Karma while a visitor in their land.

 

In the US? Almost never.

[bigvalboy]

I give money with the caveat that it only be spent on drugs. Food and shelter are readily available from a wide variety of social service agencies.

[Rudynate]

I don't. When asked I tell the person the address of the welfare department and local Catholic church.

 

When I was a teenager I once worked in a donut shop. I had the night shift after school. So a guy comes in saying he has no money and asks if he could have a free cup of coffee. I gave him a large cup of coffee plus a maple bar. Later when go to clean the tables I find the coffee cup almost full and the maple bar stuffed in it with only a bite taken.

 

What decision did you come to as a result of that experience?