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Bad Manners and Brimstone
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#Post#: 28079--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: Dazi
Date: March 22, 2019, 12:02 pm
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I don't give to panhandlers. There's too many that are known to
be neither homeless, nor poor. In fact, one of our more infamous
(now deceased) bag ladies was worth over 30 million...
When I was a teenager working at a local grocery store, I used
to tell people not to give her money or food because I knew she
lived in a 5 million+ home in the ritzy part of town. I have no
idea what prompted the bag lady routine. My own store manager
thought I was nuts until I suggested he watch the footage from
the parking lot and she was seen getting in and leaving in an
80k vehicle. He was pissed.
Sadly, this seems to be a prevailing issue in my area. It's not
illegal to panhandle as long as you purchase a permit and don't
do it at intersections. There have been multiple news stories on
some of these people, who turn out to be VERY well off.
#Post#: 28080--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: TeamBhakta
Date: March 22, 2019, 12:06 pm
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I give money to charities that help the homeless, but I will not
directly give money to the homeless. We have a problem at my
work right now because homeless people try to hold up "please
give" signs in the parking lot, or camp out near the entrance to
panhandle (before management or security tells them to move on).
I don't want to encourage that kind of behavior, because it can
escalate to being approached at night walking to your car :o
#Post#: 28081--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: SioCat
Date: March 22, 2019, 12:26 pm
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Sometimes I give money. If I have the cash and can spare it.
If someone needs help, asks me for it and I am in a position to
give it, then I will. That’s who I am. If someone wants to lie
to me, that’s on them. It doesnt and won’t change who I am.
#Post#: 28090--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: gramma dishes
Date: March 22, 2019, 3:12 pm
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We never donate to panhandlers for a variety of reasons. But
there was an exception. My husband used to take the Metra
downtown (for his job) and would walk from the train station to
the building where he worked. On day he passed a guy sitting on
the sidewalk with a dog lying on either side of him. He did not
ask for money, just simply had an open container of some kind.
The same guy was there for several days in a row.
Finally one day my husband (who was impressed by the perfectly
behaved dogs) stopped and said "I won't give you cash, but if
you're hungry I'll slip in here -- a fast food restaurant --
and buy you a sandwich. The guy said he would be very grateful,
but could it please be a plain sandwich without veggies or
condiments?
Husband returned with a quarter pounder with cheese. Guy
thanked husband profusely then opened the package and carefully
tore the sandwich into three equal shares. He handed one to the
dog on his left, another to the dog on his right, and ate the
last third himself. Every so often that whole spring, summer
and fall he would see the same guy and do the same thing. They
man and the dogs always seemed so happy. Then one day they
weren't there anymore and my husband never saw them again. I
think he kind of missed them. :-\
#Post#: 28115--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: LifeOnPluto
Date: March 22, 2019, 11:07 pm
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I give to The Smith Family, who work with children from
impoverished homes. The funding assists them with stuff like
clothes, food, and education.
I occasionally give to panhandlers. In my city, there are lots
of cafes with outdoor seating, and sometimes a panhandler will
walk around, approaching tables (as far as I'm aware, there's no
law against them doing this). I'm okay with giving them a dollar
or so. As horrible as this sounds, it's really just "please
leave us alone" money. I've made my peace with the fact that the
panhandler might choose to spend the cash on booze, smokes, or
drugs. It's none of my business, and if it gives them a few
moments pleasure, I'm not going to complain. It can't be all
roses, being homeless.
#Post#: 28191--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: wonderfullyanonymous
Date: March 24, 2019, 10:01 am
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We have both panhandlers and homeless in the area I live in. The
homeless include the mentally ill, addicts, people who fell on
hard times and lost their homes, and sadly, foster kids that
aged out of the system. Some of the homeless would love to have
a job so they can get out of the hole they are in, but because
of their situation are just not able to. Some of the foster kids
are trying to get out of the situation and are continuing to go
to school in spite of the situation they are in.
The homeless, when they move around carry EVERYTHING they own
where ever they go.
The panhandlers stand on a busy corner, with a sign that will
say something similar to "Homeless, please help. God Bless" At
most, they will have a back pack with them. None of them. They
get mad if you give them food or clothes, they want money for
drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. They have been known to brag
that they make more money doing this than actually working.
They refuse to work. They used to panhandle out by our Walmart,
and out store manager went out and offered them jobs. None of
them followed him back into the store and took him up on his
offer. Our store manager when and had signs put up saying that
it's private property and there is no panhandling allowed. If
any show up, he has them arrested.
I have been tempted to stand on the corners with my own sign
that says, "Panhandlers are not homeless and they refuse to
work, don't give them money."
#Post#: 28230--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: allykat
Date: March 24, 2019, 7:30 pm
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I used to agree with those who said they never gave money,
because the people would spend it on drugs or alcohol. I would
give food instead. But then I read an article by a woman who was
homeless talking about why giving money is better for her.
Sadly, there are assholes in the world who will give homeless
people food that has been messed with. Some of the people asking
for money have allergies so just buying them food is pointless
unless you know it's something they can eat. Sometimes being
able to pay for a phone was more important than food, or being
able to save up for nice clothes so they can go to job
interviews. Since then, I just give money if I have it.
And you know what? So if they're trying to scam people? I'd
rather risk giving them money when they don't need it than be
the person who refuses to help someone who actually needs it.
#Post#: 28235--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: hovlane
Date: March 24, 2019, 8:39 pm
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My feeling has always been if they need money for drugs or
alcohol, they need it because most addicts/alcoholics go through
withdrawal, sometimes it can be fatal, so if they use it for
that, who am I to judge?
There but for the grace of god go I.
#Post#: 28241--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: vintagegal
Date: March 25, 2019, 7:03 am
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I have also heard families of drug addicts begging PLEASE do not
give them money to buy drugs.
#Post#: 28299--------------------------------------------------
Re: Panhandlers
DIR By: Elmore 2.0
Date: March 25, 2019, 2:10 pm
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I live in a poor rural state, so things may be different here
than a tourist spot, but things here are such that quite a
number of people are aware that they are one paycheck away from
the street and there may not be any boots, let alone boot
straps.
In any case, I highly doubt homeless here are driving Cadillacs.
There are a ton of soup kitchens and outreach. If there are
complaints, it's about the drug users.
If I feel led to give someone money, I give it. I'm not
responsible for what they do after that.
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