Panhandlers

How do you react to panhandlers who approach you on the street?

Ignore them or give them a dollar. Depends on my mood.

It depends. Some can be a little aggressive & I don't like that. Get an attitude & they're not gonna get a dime.

I very seldom give them money (like NYStyle, it depends on my mood). Usually I just say no, not today and move on.

I act like I dont see them for the most part but sometimes I may give them a dollar. Sometimes.

Tell their parents that I'm sorry, but I have my own child's activities to fund and I can't fund everyone else's, because the only panhandlers around here are the ones who set up shop outside the grocery stores, begging for a donation to pay for their cheerleading uniforms or something else their parents should be paying for.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:Tell their parents that I'm sorry, but I have my own child's activities to fund and I can't fund everyone else's, because the only panhandlers around here are the ones who set up shop outside the grocery stores, begging for a donation to pay for their cheerleading uniforms or something else their parents should be paying for.

And they're the ones who get the most indignant when you say no.

CeCe wrote:

And they're the ones who get the most indignant when you say no.

I've discovered 2 ways to avoid them altogether:

1. Pull out your cell phone and pretend to be having a conversation as you walk past them--they won't interrupt!

2. Go in one door, tell them you'll give on the way out, then go out the other door and tell the posse stationed there that you gave on the way in down at the other door.

Sneaky, but it avoids a lot of crap!

Most of the time I ignore them, they make a lot of money on the tourists.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:

I've discovered 2 ways to avoid them altogether:

1. Pull out your cell phone and pretend to be having a conversation as you walk past them--they won't interrupt!

2. Go in one door, tell them you'll give on the way out, then go out the other door and tell the posse stationed there that you gave on the way in down at the other door.

Sneaky, but it avoids a lot of crap!

Never even thought about that! Good ideas!

We don't have any here, but when I am in Chicago, I ignore them.

When you walk around downtown, it's a given that you will see them out and about. I ignore them and keep it moving. The worst, though, is when you're riding (or waiting for) public transportation and get approached.

I hate when they approach me. I usually roll my eyes at them and give them a hard No! Get away from me.
Especially if i'm walking with my kids. Don't you see i'm walking with children. I'm not gonna take from my kids to give to some crack feens. I've been down with not a penny to my name, but i would never have gone begging for a dollar.

I 99.9% ignore them