[vertical limit]

QUOTE (Outcast @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 10:25)

Instead of giving them change, I prefer using that change to buy them stuff like a bottle of water or a sandwich.

Same.

So I know that money didn't go to alcohol or drugs.

[Sup3rman]

With the previous post i have a story of giving money to a homeless man. He asked me and a girl i know kindly for some some, and he had an exact amount of money still missing. Because he seemed kind and used the word please, we gave him the money generously and asked then if his gonna buy food or alcohol. He said he doesn't touch that stuff...well we believed him anyway and after a goodbye from the bum we walked away.

[GTA_stu]

I sometimes will put some coins in a person's hat or guitar case if they are playing music, but I don't just give it to someone asking for it. It must be embarrassing and degrading to have to beg for money like that, and I do try to look them in the eye and say "sorry I haven't got any" rather than just blanking them like they don't exist.

[trip]

QUOTE (GTA_stu @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 12:10)

I sometimes will put some coins in a person's hat or guitar case if they are playing music, but I don't just give it to someone asking for it.

This.

I will always toss a buck into a street musicians hat/case.


Because I've worked in center city most of my life I am very jaded towards the pan handlers. I know most of them and most of them know me - so they don't even ask me. It's funny when one doesn't know me and starts their bit "Hey I just got out of jail and need $3.50 to catch the bus back to Noristown" and crap like that.

There are a few (down and out) Vietnam vets that I don't mind giving a few dollars to. Those guys are cool though and are not in your face begging.

*edit:
forgot an important word.

This post has been edited by trip on Monday, Apr 9 2012, 17:01

[T.Rez]

I need about tree fiddy

[Viperman]

QUOTE (Girish @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 15:22)

QUOTE (Dr. John13 @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 20:43) I always wonder why do beggers even come in trains? Some look seriously retarded (The real meaning) and some don't and I always feel upset when someone doesn't gives them money. Yes, what Girish said is true but it makes us look like evil. There's nothing evil or wrong about not wanting to give away your hard earned money for free to people who are poor out of choice and not out of helplessness. They don't deserve it and you shouldn't feel bad about it. I'm perfectly fine with giving some money to handicapped people who are incapable of physical labor but if you have two working hands, you don't have to beg.

This is so true.

If I were homeless, I would build a house in a forest, next to a river. With wood from the forest. Learn to fish and hunt, grow some veg, prepare fire wood etc etc.

Then you wouldnt be homeless.

Anyways, there's housing schemes and jobseekers allowance entitled to all homeless. So it is purely there choice to live in the streets. f*cking slackers. I don't mind giving some waste food, but money, no chance. I do 50+ hours nightshift to earn cash.

[Outcast]

QUOTE (vertical limit @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 15:28)

QUOTE (Outcast @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 10:25) Instead of giving them change, I prefer using that change to buy them stuff like a bottle of water or a sandwich. Same. So I know that money didn't go to alcohol or drugs.

The money would've gone to alcohol or drugs regardless

[Slamman]

Easy in my case, I tell him I'm needing money as much as he is, I have less then a dollar now!

[Mr.Mister]

Last summer some lady asked for change to get a sandwich at Subway. She sounded like she had dry throt so it was hrd to understand what she was saying. I asked if she needed a drink. She replied with "A drink..? No.. but I do drink often!"

[oysterbarron]

In assasins creed i pushed a bum outta the way and she hit one of those wood platforms and it collspsed on her i laughed but got introuble with the guards.

Coin coin.

[4 Bagger]

QUOTE (vertical limit @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 16:28)

QUOTE (Outcast @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 10:25) Instead of giving them change, I prefer using that change to buy them stuff like a bottle of water or a sandwich. Same. So I know that money didn't go to alcohol or drugs.

I'd rather use my money to buy myself a sandwich or a drink.

Sounds cruel but if you have earned it/got given it, it should be yours to spend on yourself or on friends and family; not some random guy who thinks he is entitled to it. I know its not always their fault that they're homeless or in that situation, but that is how I see it. Probably not the best way but that's just me.

[Vanzant]

Some of the homeless in Indianapolis make more money per week than a person working 40 hours a week at $10.00 by begging. It's pretty f*cked UP.

[Vercetti27]

If theres a dog with him, yes. if he's got a child, no. I'm not supporting his crack babies' addiction.

[Allen14n]

QUOTE (oysterbarron @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 07:59)

QUOTE (Sauron @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 04:50) QUOTE (oysterbarron @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 15:40) Giving money to someone who obviously failed at life in the first place is not a sound investment! They obviously couldn't manage money correctly in the first place. If you want to help them then make donations to the various homeless shelters at least then you know for sure that the money is being well spent. Because managing money correctly is the sole reason people become homeless.... Yes i realize that there are some very tragic storys of people that become homeless, but the main problem a homless person has is the fact he or she is homeless. Giving money for food or buying food is not the Answer as they remain homeless the Least youcan do is contribute to the shelters andPut a roof over there head 4nights aweek and havethe shelter feed them. The more money you give the more chance the shelter has of having an open bed for them.

Are you lacking basic common sense? We all need food to survive. Maybe if they had food, they'll have enough energy to get back to where they once was again. You can't just let them stay malnourished just because you think they'll still be homeless.

[AlexGTAGamer]

I don't give the homeless money, instead I tend to give them food if I have any on me. If they are actually homeless and they can't get anything to eat then they will accept the food. If they don't accept the food then you know that they aren't homeless, or they were just going to use that money for drugs or alcohol.

[Legacy-666_]

A homeless women once asked me for some money for food. Instead of giving her money I handed her an apple which I had in my bag. she threw it at me and told me to go %^#% myself.
Another time I was on the last day of a holiday to the states. I had saved all the loose change (honestly why do you need 1 cent pieces?) and gave it to a homeless guy asking for money. He was really greatful and replied with "god bless you". It made me feel rather good. Later I saw him at McDonalds tipping the bag of coins I'd given him on the counter with a huge grin on his face.

[tomtom555]

"Excuse me, you don't have 50p so I can make a quick phone call do you?"

I've been asked this by the same goddamn cross-eyed bum countless times and I've witnessed him ask other people one after the other while I've been out in my town centre. I'm surprised he doesn't remember encountering me as much as I do him.

[GTAIndonesia]

In Indonesia, some homeless people prefer to go inside cheap diners, sing a song to get their money.

[El_Diablo]

QUOTE (Girish @ Monday, Apr 9 2012, 08:22)

if you have two working hands, you don't have to beg.

that's not true.
this statement belies the reality of the issue and your own ignorance.

there are many homeless / jobless people who have 2 perfectly working hands and legs.
in fact their entire body works just fine.

their inability to hold a job or maintain their finances is a problem that you can't see with your eyes.
it's in their head, in their mind.

there are many people who slip through the cracks of the mental health care system because their psychosis is not severe enough to warrant forced hospitalization but enough to hold them back from carrying out normal social responsibilities and dependencies. I never presume to judge someone who is willing to publicly humiliate themselves by begging on the side of the road. just because someone isn't in a wheelchair or on crutches doesn't mean they're perfectly well and capable of working.

I've read too many articles on homelessness to just assume that there's nothing wrong with a guy who is capable of holding a sign.
the majority of homeless beggars suffer from undiagnosed mental disorders which betray their otherwise healthy / functioning hands and feet.

[Tycek]

It's really depends on the bums and their honesty. I prefer honest person saying that he needs cash for "good, cheap, polish wine" or some money for train or bus ticket, because he is broke and can't get back to home, than some romanians crying that they need cash for milk to feed their babies, when there is their guardian sitting in BMW parked two streets away and waiting for money.

I prefer honest people, because I can understand it must be really hard to come up to some totally random guy on the street and ask for some spare. Crying and moaning beggers are nothing more than actors that learned their role and try to snatch some of your money. Some of these romanian women even got dolls instead of real babies or using the same baby or child over and over... How I am suppose to believe them?