Has this ever happened to you?

[kingdom warrior]

20$ Wow! that's when I just pull out my track and tell them "Jesus loves you" any other guff and it's a swift kick to the nuts..........

[garagesale]

Defiantly homeless

Do you mean DEFINITELY or was she defiant in her homelessness???

JamesD

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I HATE shopping, so I tend to buy rugged clothes and wear them to death. That, and my "hired goon" demeanour renders me pretty much immune to panhandlers. But I HAVE had folks give me pamphlets for shelters, churches and jobs.

Just in case, I carry around a few cards for the Army Recruiting center, and intend to hand them to folk asking for something. Nothing out in the streets; but I give a lot to the folks trying to ell stuff door to door.

Don C.

[garagesale]

Hmmmm....


Just in case, I carry around a few cards for the Army Recruiting center,
Don C.

I'm gon' do dis.

JamesD

[Hector]

I never give money to people in the streets.

What I do offer is food instead.

But guess what?

They always turn down that offer...they want cash.

One time...I was with a friend having some tacos at a taco truck.

This dude, about 30 years old...approached us and said he wanted money because he was hungry.

Heck...we were standing at a taco truck, lol.

So I told him that I don't hand out money...but would gladly buy him a plate of tacos.

He looked at me in disgust...and walked away.

Bloody crackhead.

That's the main reason I don't hand out money.

[Hector]

Another thing that gets me are homeless people asking for money while puffing expensive cigarettes in their mouths.

[Hector]

Oh wait...this homeless man about 60 years old...did accept food...I was at a Burger King...and he gladly accepted a Whopper meal, lol.

That felt kinda nice.

[Megotu]

There is one sca-a-a-a-ary looking older woman who wears skimpy clothing and dances in a disturbing manner while holding a sign "Too Old to Strip???"

[AAAAA]

Yep going to buy booze or Drugs!
i try not not to give to panhandlers ,
I 'll donate money to a charity box.

[garagesale]

There used to be this guy who would hang out on freeway exits in OKC holding up a sign that said "Why lie? Need a beer."

JamesD

[Bill]

"The eye of the tiger never ceases to amaze me."
An old bum proverb from Georgetown, DC.

Most of the time it's the standard, "can I ask you a question?" crap, but every once in a great while you get a truly crazy fellow, or at least one who can pull off the act to a believable level. Personally, I don't give 'em a damn thing, I already pay my Don't Mug Me Tax every other week because I'm legitimately employed, but I can see their point; I mean how boring would it be to sit under an overpass all day long holding up a dumbass sign about how you'd gladly trade work for food. I'd want a bottle or two of cheap wine to make the day pass, and a pack of smokes would be a great compliment to the alcohol.
I'd much rather complain about panhandlers than complain about not having a home.

[DocDrako]

I've had someone ask for a specific amount before, but when I was unable to give what they asked for, I have never had someone act ungrateful. I have nothing against homeless people because I know people can fall on hard times. Granted the lady told you that she needed medicine and perhaps it takes a 20 to buy it. But beggars can't be choosers as the saying goes. I hope that doesn't sound as bad as it reads because I'm not without compassion for the less fortunate. The lady should have been happy to get the dollar since that put her closer to getting the medicine she said she needed than she was before she asked. The fact that she wasn't grateful shows that her story was probably just that...a story.

Every time someone gives me a story and asks for money I always take it with a grain of salt. It's sad that I have to do that but the way I look at it is this; By giving, I'm doing my part to give to those in need (when I can). Whether their needs are false or not is on them. If they scam me, I just don't want to know. I figure most of them are playing me anyways. I hate that I actually believe that, but I do. But just in case they are telling the truth, I am happy to do a good deed. It feels good to give. If they are scamming me, maybe my generosity will make them feel guilty and change their ways. I can always hope, right?

[TEXASFETT]

Yesterday I was approached by a elderly homeless woman. She gave me the story about needing her medicine and needed money to buy it.

While I was reaching into my pocket she told me she needed a 20 and did not want change. I was utterly amazed by her boldness. I gave her a dollar (all I had in my pocket), she took it and looked real disgusted.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I do it all the time but no matter what the outcome is,I alway help out.I usally conversate with them to see really what they are gonna use the money for.I gave a lady a $20 bill before entering a resturant.When I got out she told me that she got jacked,and she was crying.I told I gave you what I could,and she was pist at me.So it happens to the best of us all the time.

[vulcan2074]

What ever happened to beggars can't be choosers. Guess some people never heard of that before. I've never had anything like that happen to me before. Wow, some people are just rude.
Sammy

[trekman101]

Living in new York this happens to me all the time.All of these stories I've seen before and I don't give them anything myself.Once in a while I see beggars accept food gladly and it makes me glad that there are generous people out there.One thing though...there are a few handicapped beggars (twisted limbs and such)that I run into from time to time, who go from spot to spot...bourogh to bourogh...who I do help out every so often.I see them accept money,food,cloths and shoes and to me thats their job (to beg).Nobody is going to give them a job, so they hustle cash and that fine by me.