Do you give money to panhandlers? If so, why?

1. 60

   csalangposted 12 years ago

   Do you give money to panhandlers? If so, why?

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   Jerrico Usherposted 12 years ago

   I don't and the reason is not out of greed but rather out of compassion. As long as they give up and try to get money free they will never try to do anything else to get it. The problem is usually due to lack of confidence- frankly if they had any they would feel ashamed for trying to get it free.
   
   I would, however give money to someone who offered something fair in exchange- not because I wanted something but because it sets a prescedence for them thats the same as my own- money isn't something you get free- it's earned- and so long as I maintain that reality for them at least to some degree- I'm helping them and giving them support.
   
   Then I'd give them more than they asked for to reinforce the ideal that they earned it and that they took the right path for healing and making a bad situation better (not looking for a free ride but realize that even in hard times- we all have to earn our keep- otherwise we're "panhandling" not asking for help.
   
   Some cool examples- one guy had a sign that said "I bet you couldn't hit me with a quarter" another "I just need 2% milk for my son", another "I'm hungry- not asking for money- just something to eat" another would be the classic window washers- I really hate washing my windshield (although in oregon you can't pump your own gas and the stations include window washing (so I tip them but notice most oregonies don't- that's chitty).  Many panhandlers are not deserving of a handout- they simply aren't trying. I sometimes test this by offering them food (good stuff too like a full bag of groceries) then guage their body language. If they show even a hint of distain, I know they are faking the "need" part and are simply looking for a free ride- I'm not enabling that (other than the groceries which I hope they eat and not sell).

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   jgall34posted 12 years ago

   I don't usually give money to panhandlers.  I feel bad for some of these folks, I'm just not sure if the money would be put to good use like buying food etc.  I think some would buy drugs or alcohol and not use it wisely which does not help them at all.  Although I don't think everyone is like that and I'm sure some would put the money to good use.

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   LegendaryN8posted 12 years ago

   I heard of a case where a man would go out and panhandle all day, and then get into his brand new Lexus at the end of the day.
   
   I don't think all panhandlers are in legitimate need of help, some are just very good con artists.
   
   A woman approached me when I was downtown and said "gimme a dollar".  I said, "why?".  She said, "I want a drink".  I said, "OK, how about I buy it from the store and give it to you?"  She refused and just demanded the dollar.
   
   That day, she did not get a dollar from me.
   
   I had another woman approach me downtown a year later and she was asking for some money for food.  I told her that I didn't have any money (I actually had nothing on me), but I had a sandwich in my bag that I had just bought.  I gave her it and she seemed very happy.
   
   If you are a panhandler, and you see me, you will get food and water, but you will not get money.

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   Dawn Conklinposted 12 years ago

   No I do not at all.  I do donate many things from money to food and clothes to various places for various people but I do not give panhandlers money.  I used to see them everyday and most of them just wanted the money, not for food.  A friend of mine offered to buy one of them food (they asked for money inside a McDonald's.)  When the guy asked for money, he claimed it was for food and that he hadn't eaten in 3 days.  So my friend offered to buy him a lunch at McDonald's.  The guy's response was that he didn't like McDonald's and would rather the money to get food elsewhere.  My friend's response was "No.  If you haven't eaten in 3 days, McDonald's would look good to you.  I am not giving you money to go out the back door and buy drugs."
   I have had them tell me they live in a cardboard box under the bridge.  There were no cardboard boxes under the bridge, never saw anybody under it anytime I drove by and he was clean shaved and fairly well dressed. 
   Only once did I feel bad for saying no.  A guy asked me for a dollar to get on a city bus.  He said he lost his wallet and just wanted to get home.  I said no as I didn't believe him and he got the dollar from somebody else, turned around and got on a bus.
   
   Edit: I should note that where I used to see the panhandlers was in a bad drug area.  It was also an area that was known for scamming.  Women used to make their children go in front of a truck at a red light so when the light turned green and the trucker didn't see them, the child would get hit.  Then Mom would sue. 
   I would give somebody food if that is what they really were looking for.

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   zoey24posted 12 years ago

   No, simply because i watched a documentary on people that made a fortune out of it, and then at the end of the day they would go back to their posh houses where they lived the life of luxury. One guy said "Always look at their finger nails, if they look clean and well kept then they are not ligitamate" I appreciate their are people out there that genuinely need food, money etc but the documentary made me more aware.

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   delmer47posted 12 years ago

   Yes I do, when I can. Christ never asked or questioned people about their situation or blamed them for it. He just helped. It's not my job to question.

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