Treatment Towards Beggar

imthaifool · #1 12-04-2006, 03:23 AM

If a homeless beggar comes up to you and begs for money do you give him any money? If so, why and how much? If not, why not? Same situation, but beggar is not actively begging. Said homeless person is sitting up against a building on the curb shaking a cup. What do you then? Give him something? Walk by?

Golden_Rhino · #2 12-04-2006, 03:31 AM

I usually buy him a hot dog or something. I don't like giving out money, but I have a hard time depriving someone of food.

Iconoclastic · #3 12-04-2006, 03:38 AM

Depends on the specific situation.

AE6 · #4 12-04-2006, 03:39 AM

If you live in a city where this is common, I don't really think there's any other play than just saying something quick like "sorry, no change" and walking on by.

Golden_Rhino · #5 12-04-2006, 03:41 AM

[ QUOTE ]
If you live in a city where this is common, I don't really think there's any other play than just saying something quick like "sorry, no change" and walking on by.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFT. I live in the burbs and rarely go to the city. If I was there every day I would have to buy my own hot dog cart to feed all the homeless guys I see.

tabako · #6 12-04-2006, 03:56 AM

Don't make eye contact, don't acknowledge. Def don't give them any money.

Only time I will give a beggar something is when I am already carrying leftover food, and I have a strong suspicion that I will end up throwing it out instead of finishing it. Even under this case I would not stop to deal with the beggar. Hand them the box and keep walking.

Stagger_Lee · #7 12-04-2006, 03:40 AM

Where I live there is not a lot of begging going on.

But if someone asks for cash I'll usually part with 10 or 20 bucks, no questions asked.

fish2plus2 · #8 12-04-2006, 01:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Where I live there is not a lot of begging going on.

But if someone asks for cash I'll usually part with 10 or 20 bucks, no questions asked.

[/ QUOTE ]

Takes the guy working in mcdonalds 3 hours to make that much. Nice!

wdcbooks · #9 12-04-2006, 01:14 PM

I always just say no. I grew up in the DC area in the 80s, home to some of the most aggressive panhandling you will ever see, and got used to it. There is no argument that giving money to homeless beggars is an ineffective use of your money. Let's imagine you will give away $2,000 each year to charitable causes of one kind or another. Giving $50 a year to panhandlers and $1,950 to charities is only assuaging your conscience.

I also spent some time in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Giving money to beggars there, especially in places like Cite Soleil can create havoc at best, and threaten your safety at worst. The crush of people that come looking for money is just insane. I am cold-hearted, but I am also practical and will sacrifice looking like a douche for having some effect on actual poverty.

My brother was homeless for a brief period and any money that came into his hands delayed his getting real help and treatment for his mental illness.

mosdef · #10 12-04-2006, 01:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
There is no argument that giving money to homeless beggars is an ineffective use of your money. Let's imagine you will give away $2,000 each year to charitable causes of one kind or another. Giving $50 a year to panhandlers and $1,950 to charities is only assuaging your conscience.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't understand what you're trying to say. Are you for or against giving money to panhandlers?