Giving $$$$ to the Homeless.

Here's my question: Do you give money to the "homeless" who stand on freeway off ramps with signs or who try and wash your windows when pulling out of the car wash?

Not to the window washers but sometimes to the ones that are on the street or in the subway. I know I know but I have a soft heart what can I say?

Rarely. I used to work at a bookstore; everyday this guy would come in and hang around the adult section, which cost two dollars to browse. One day as I was driving home, I get to the expressway and there he was standing there with a "Homeless" sign. I'm thinking to myself, "you come into my job just about everyday and spend two dollars looking at the nudie magazines, and here you are asking for money." Was the money he collected from strangers on the side of the road for the purpose of his being able to come in and virtually get off?

I'd rather give these people a sandwich than a dollar.

They announce all over the place not to give money to the homeless, especially in the subway's. I bet some of them have more money then we do!

Maybe, but the thing is how can you ever tell? And what if it was you in that position and needed help?

Supernova wrote:Maybe, but the thing is how can you ever tell? And what if it was you in that position and needed help?

Exactly thats why I feel sorry for them.

You want to feel sorry for them but you almost are afraid to give them money. Maybe give them a sandwich but I always was told not to just hand them money directly.

Forgiveness_Man wrote:You want to feel sorry for them but you almost are afraid to give them money. Maybe give them a sandwich but I always was told not to just hand them money directly.

I hardly ever encounter pan-handlers but one time in the city I was working in, I was walking to a Mickey D's for lunch and I passed a woman who was soliciting funds from passers by. I can’t remember if she was telling people she needed the money for food or not but I bought an extra meal and gave it to her on my way back. She smiled and thanked me.

^^^^ Yup, I've done that. I'll give some extra cash if I have it and I will buy them a sandwich or something. It's funny though....I remember when I was in Indianopolis and me and my friend were walking downtown. We were just coming out of the mall and were walking down the street and we saw this guy on the corner with a sign. He definitely looked homeless. The sign read "Can you please spare a dollar? I ain't gonna lie, I'm going to use it for beer". I actually gave him two. I was so tickled.

Tony Marino wrote:I bet some of them have more money then we do!

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. People are not going to humiliate and degradate themselves unless they have to. Use your brain.

MandyPerfumeGirl wrote:

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. People are not going to humiliate and degradate themselves unless they have to. Use your brain.

Don't you think that was a little harsh?

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/brother-can-you-spare-46-million/

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/27/50-an-hour-professional-panhandler/

MandyPerfumeGirl wrote:

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. People are not going to humiliate and degrade themselves unless they have to. Use your brain.

I will assume that you know little about pan handlers. People "humiliate and degrade" themselves all the time in search of the all mighty dollar. And they are creative in their methods. So, what Tony said was not at all stupid or inaccurate. Many major city beggers have more than the median income family.