My frustration is growing with Panhandlers

[RobMoney$]

Does it seem the effort panhandlers give is dropping? Maybe it's just in my city.
Panhandlers used to really do their best to earn a buck or two. They would wash windows like the stereotypical begger.
They'd make some nice signs, run out and try to collect as much money as possible before the green light came, all that stuff.
I respect that.

Last month there was a panhandler that didn't have a sign at all, nor did he bother to go car to car.
He just stood there with his hand out.

Today, a female panhandler held up a sign - UPSIDE DOWN!
She clearly had no pride in her job. No way am I giving her any money.

I wonder if this is a nationwide trend, or is it just local?

Anyone else notice a drop in panhandler professionalism?

[The Notorious LOL]

In Minneapolis they straight up verbally harass you if you dont give them anything. One time a guy told us he hoped we get in a car accident on our way home, which was funny because he doesnt have a home to go to and we do hahahaha

[TurdBerglar]

panhandlers/beggers love white people

[Documad]

They often stand at busy intersections near on or off ramps for freeways. So I'm accelerating to get through the intersection and all of a sudden a dumbass in the car ahead of me stops to hand money to the beggar. It's the dumbasses who give them money that bother me.

I agree that the panhandlers don't try very hard. They should dress the part. I can't take them seriously when they have cleaner sneakers than I do.

[Waus]

I lost all tolerance for them when this guy hassled me at a gas pump at like 3am. I HAD to get gas and the dude is standing by my car door telling me he needs money for baby formula...with whiskey on his breath.

Hear that panhandlers? He ruined it for all of you!

[Lex Diamonds]

There are some awesome beggars at traffic lights in Harlem. When I was there I saw some hilarious signs, those guys have a sense of humour and for me that's more deserving of my dollar than a clean car.

[ericlee]

there's one guy that strums a guitar and "sings".

He has no clue how to play the guitar and he doesnt sing at all. Just kind of mumbles nonsense.

[Auton]

fuck panhandlers. used to give fools tons of money when i was in sac and shit, but after living in hollywood... forget about it.

[ms.peachy]

Mr.p and I saw this guy in Washington DC one time who had a sign that said

CHRONIC ALCOHOLIC
trying to stay drunk
you can help
thanks

I mean, you gotta respect that kind of honesty, right?

[RobMoney$]

I'm an idiot when it comes to panhandlers.
It's not that I usually give them money, because to be honest I'm just too cheap to give one dollar away to someone for free that I don't know.
But I do usually feel bad for them.
Like I could have wound up like that if I had a streak of bad luck fall on me in life.

[Dorothy Wood]

I usually don't give money because if I gave money to everyone who asked, I'd be broke. I just say, "sorry, I don't have any cash".

I always feel bad though.

I don't like the people that do it in the street, they mess up traffic and I've rarely even seen anyone give them money. there's this little lady on my way home sometimes who looks up close to be about 30, but generally she looks and dresses like she's 12 years old. she is clearly insane and wanders around in the street begging for money. she's pretty mean actually. I never give her anything, but I'm scared of her.

[cookiepuss]

I'm actually more inclined to give money if they don't ask. I mean if they are just sitting there and I happen to have a couple bucks cash (actually i rarely have cash so I guess i don't do this often) I'll walk up and ask if they would like some help. And then I talk to them for a little bit. I'll tell them my name and even shake their hand. because they really are outside of society, people try not to look at them or have anything to do with them. they are treated alot like the untouchables sect in India. so if I'm going to give them something, I'm going to take a little time to treat them like a human being. I try to reserve my judgement on how they got where they are and focus on who they are in this moment.

[roosta]

Yeah, I think its a tough one.

You want to give money, but you also know you probably shouldn't.


One time a wino asked me for change, and I said "I have nothing" and really sincerely he said "Ah, i'll take anything, it doesn't matter, anything" So i gave him a couple of cents and he called me a tight cunt.

:eek:

[Bob]

i can't stand the ones who tell you fake sob stories to try and abuse your sense of humanity to get money out of you. stuff like "my dog got hit by a car and my 9 months pregnant girlfriend needs bus fare to go to the vet because she left her wallet in our apartment which we just got evicted from, can you spare me some money, no, a little more than that please." i've probably run into a few who were for real by now but because of the fake ones i just don't give anything to anyone anymore. good job guys, you've made me an asshole

also the ones who ask for more when you give them something. sometime i'll give a guy a buck and he'll say "oh just a few more, please" and i can't very well say "i don't have anything" because he's seen the bills in my hand but fuck dude, i'm not your bank. i mean i realize they need it more than me technically but come on, am i supposed to be the dalai lama every day? no, i'm content to be a jerk but they don't need to rub it in my face like that

[QueenAdrock]

There was one guy we all gave money to, because he did a little song and dance on the street. "It's a hard knock life, for me, because I want a Colt for-ty, but I ain't got no mon-ey..." It was real cute.

Another time, my drunk roommate took a beggar out for breakfast and listened to his whole life story, which apparently was full of drugs, hookers, and PTSD.

[jackrock]

I think most of the homeless in my city ought to be pretty discouraged. One guy here, who everyone knows as "Sailor Dan" draws nice pictures of sails and ships and sells them. He's a fucking local celebrity. Here is a picture (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/123472471_240a3fe0a6.jpg?v=0)(though he doesn't usually wear shit like that.)

[RobMoney$]

Another time, my drunk roommate took a beggar out for breakfast and listened to his whole life story, which apparently was full of drugs, hookers, and PTSD.


See, I can relate to these people.

[Bob]

There was one guy we all gave money to, because he did a little song and dance on the street. "It's a hard knock life, for me, because I want a Colt for-ty, but I ain't got no mon-ey..." It was real cute.

Another time, my drunk roommate took a beggar out for breakfast and listened to his whole life story, which apparently was full of drugs, hookers, and PTSD.

sometimes i think about helping them out like that, but i'm worried that instead of telling me their life story and appreciating the company, they'd knock me out and steal my wallet and shoes. i mean that's what i'd do if i was homeless and some hippie white kid let his guard down around me, fuck, i'm hungry and i got holes in my shoes

[yeahwho]

Addiction has tainted the moral and ethical questions involved with panhandling. I'm not an expert on this issue but I do know panhandlers can become very aggressive, that is unacceptable. I'm not supporting that sort of behavior.

Things have been getting steadily worst here in Seattle and finally hit a point last year where the city issued a campaign for tourists,

This is what a new color brochure issued by the Downtown Seattle Association advises everyone to do.

"It's okay to say 'no' to panhandling, and 'yes' to giving," reads a fake cardboard sign, gripped by a homeless man, pictured on the pamphlet.

The group started handing out the brochure to shoppers and tourists this week. It gives a few tips on dissuading panhandlers — such as saying "no" or "sorry" — and lists 12 charities you can give to instead.

Panhandling has tripled downtown in the past year, according to counts by the Metropolitan Improvement District, the private street patrol.

"It's an education campaign, including, hopefully, for the panhandlers themselves," said Anita Woo, spokeswoman for the business group. "Maybe they'll learn about services they could be using instead."

But that lead one Seattle attorney to do an unofficial study;

Seattle attorney Peter Friedman discovered that food and shelter are not always the goal after he and a fellow lawyer became weary of walking the gantlet of outstretched hands. So they set up an account at Bakeman's deli and began handing out cards worth a free sandwich.

Of about 60 cards passed out, not a single one was redeemed for a sandwich.

"I guess the homeless weren't that hungry," Friedman says. "Or maybe the homeless don't like the selection at Bakeman's."

He was kidding, but the concern is real. Are we being scammed by addicts? What do panhandlers really want?

I still do occasionally help out folks, I've been there before and know that the addiction is the cause, but damn.... this situation is not going to get any better and I fear it may become epidemic.

[ericlee]

if they're honest I'll give them a buck or so.

As bob said, I hate the bs stories. The ones who get on the train and say that their shelter needs more money for food. Bullshit.

[TurdBerglar]

there's this guy at work who is utterly useless and filthy and just incapable of the most simple things. always running around like a chicken with its head cut off and reaking of booze and asks for money from time to time. his whole family appears to be this way. how does this shit happen? how does someone(a whole family) just get every shit trait that one can have all in one package?

i don't even know how this guy got hired. he's filthy!

what makes you think im gonna give you money, dickhead.

[Bob]

hey at least he's workin

[TurdBerglar]

he doesn't work

he just gets in my way and makes a fucking mess and makes the air stink.