This won't be popular but it's my opinion. (stop begging!)

You know, it doesn't matter if you are kidding or not. Just the fact that your brain came up with that idea tells us a lot about the kind of human you are.a reply to: o0oTOPCATo0o

a reply to: minusinfinity

The same exact thing happens near the 7-11 in my city too. I read somewhere on the internet that there are actually people out there that literally beg for a living, and some of those who are good at it in the New York City area actually make a 6 figure income off of it. It's kind of disgusting, because I want to help those in need, but how are you to know if they actually need help or if they are just trying to leech off of society?

originally posted by: parad0x122
a reply to: minusinfinity

The same exact thing happens near the 7-11 in my city too. I read somewhere on the internet that there are actually people out there that literally beg for a living, and some of those who are good at it in the New York City area actually make a 6 figure income off of it. It's kind of disgusting, because I want to help those in need, but how are you to know if they actually need help or if they are just trying to leech off of society?

It doesn't matter....

A gift given in good faith rewards the giver more than the beggar.

For those not in the financial situation to give...a simple "I'm sorry, I need all my resources for myself." That's not greed...it's truth!

a reply to: minusinfinity

Of course there are people that beg, that would obviously use the money to purchase drugs or alcohol. Some people even say it, straight up, lol.

This one is my favorite, seen it all over San Francisco.



My uncle was an alcoholic, passed away at 39 from cirrhosis. He would pass out cards at Pier 39 in San Francisco, a big ol tourist trap, lol. They said something along the lines of him being deaf and unable to speak, if someone purchases the ticket for $1 the money goes to some charity or another. He made thousands of dollars every month with that scam, and was proud of it.

That's why I don't give people money, I'll give them food, a little gas, bus ticket etc...

Street performers, I'll give money to them.

a reply to: minusinfinity

I feel your anger minus I really do. Lots of people agree with you 100% and I sort of do I suppose. For me though, I help or give just about anyone that asks. Doesn't really matter much to me if they need it or just want it. Main reason being I don't really know which it is. I would prefer to waste some to actually help a few. I've never begged myself, but I have a family that goes out of it's way to help everyone, it's just the way I was brought up I guess. Hopefully though somewhere along the way someone's life was a little easier because I just don't pay attention and try and figure out if this is truly a "person in need" or not. People have called me an idiot more than once for doing it but so be it. I hope someone is there to give me a couple bucks if I ever get in that situation.

a reply to: drivers1492

Very cool.



Thanks for your reply I enjoyed reading. I hope you never have to 'beg'.

originally posted by: minusinfinity
a reply to: Jennyfrenzy

You're right.
The way to go is to just buy the bus ticket or buy the person a meal. Not all people are bad or just scamming.

Just saying there are a lot of people who just beg. (don't be naïve.)

Easy way to spot the con-artists too .. a con-artist won't want the meal or the bus ticket, that would take time away from trying to get the cash.. a person who's truly homeless and down on their luck probably would jump on the meal offer in no time.

I spotted a con once in my city.. a guy saying he needed $10 or $20 for gas because he ran out and his pregnant wife was sitting in the car, they were trying to get to the hospital.. so I fell for it and gave him the $15 I had in my pocket but watched him... he stayed out there and collected money from at least 7 or 8 other people.. before hopping in the car that was allegedly out of gas on the side of the road and drove off..

It makes people feel good when they help others. Many studies confirm this. It is not so much about the beggers but the effect on the one who gives.

Of course this does not work with people with a negative attitude towards the poor.

a reply to: olaru12

Yeah, I'm a sucker and as long as I can afford it I still give what I can. It pisses me off though when the person I've just given money to for "food" walks down the block and into the liquor store. *sigh* Hopefully some of the Karma reserve I have built up will one day work it's magic, lol! Either way, I always feel too bad to not help out.

a reply to: drivers1492

Dude... you're exactly like me hahah. I just can't say no :-/

a reply to: lokin
Easy there judgmental. All I'm saying is if someone wants money, they have to do something. I'm not just going to walk by and give money out to people. Others will see and hound me too. When they have to sing and/or dance for it, other homeless see that as well and won't bug you if they don't want to sing and/or dance for it. Begging is their job. I cant' go to work and do nothing and expect to get paid. Why should they?
Maybe "degrading" was a bad choice of words. Then again, maybe your right and I'm sadistic. Up to god, I suppose.

Another demonize the homeless argument again.

As America goes down the toilet, there will be more and more people living in tent cities and less and less people living in apartments.

If you are going to give money, give money. Those educated homeless souls won't ask you for a dime. Those indoctrinated social welfare homeless souls told to "follow the path to services" will ask for it all. Those who just want to eat anything or maybe have a #ing beer because they are in a # spot will take what can be spared.

Why do people have this beef that if a homeless person wants a drink its a bad thing? If you are having a rough patch you may want a vice too. DAMN PEOPLE. Not every homeless person is an alkie, and if they are so what, they are dealing with alot. No magical fairy is going to help them mystically go into a killer job where they can buy a car in cash and get a nice crib now are they.

Some of you ATSers are delusional.

a reply to: ArchPlayer

Honestly people should prioritize.

If I'm homeless and someone gives me a few bucks I wouldn't run to the liquor store. I would save the money.

Perhaps running to the liquor store or ordering pizza or whatever my vices are is why I'm homeless in the first place!

Not falling for your nonsense.

originally posted by: parad0x122
a reply to: olaru12

Yeah, I'm a sucker and as long as I can afford it I still give what I can. It pisses me off though when the person I've just given money to for "food" walks down the block and into the liquor store. *sigh* Hopefully some of the Karma reserve I have built up will one day work it's magic, lol! Either way, I always feel too bad to not help out.

Karma is a very peculiar concept. I don't claim to know how it works or even if it exists at all, but....

My GF and I are generous to a fault but when we set down at the Holdem table at our local casino; we kick serious butt and we are just average players.

I don't give to work off Karmic debt or to gain favor with the universe but something mystical is happening. I don't question it...we just smile and make our deposits into our credit union accounts.

a reply to: parad0x122

Yeah, I can so no I just don't. Years ago I was pretty strung out and chose to live on the beach, literally on the sand. My family said to just stop the crap and come live with them but I wanted to party and just didn't care. I worked enough construction to keep food, smokes, my vices at the time, and other things as well but I met alot of people during that time that just were in a mess. Maybe that's part of why I am how I am about it. I just don't care what you do with the money. If they want to smoke it, drink it, shoot it or eat, that's their call.

Here's an example that would really tick people off. Couple months ago I was in a gas station with the kids grabbing drinks and other sugary death we so enjoy. This lady in front of a very long line(I knew who she was since she has a kid about the same age as my oldest) had a total of 35+- of gas and other crap standing there with 3 kids. She pulled every plastic card in her wallet and nothing was working. People were mumbling and I just spoke up and told the clerk to add it to my bill when I got up there.(the clerks know me as well as the store is around the corner) Anyhow she says thank you and she will send the money with her daughter to school to give back to me on monday. Whatever....people I don't really know I never actually expect to trust anything they say. She never sent it and I have never brought it up to my kids. I have seen her around a couple of times but I will never mention it.

The above situation is different as she was just in a bit of a spot but it gives you an idea of how I function. Makes no difference one way or the other if I get my money back or I wouldn't have offered it in the first place. Things are always ok in the long run if you let them, just don't worry about everyone else and to use the cheesy phrase "pay it forward". Maybe it will continue 1 out of 10 or 100, but one is better than none.

originally posted by: minusinfinity


I am so tired of telling the above people “NO”. I feel like printing t-shirts that say “Don’t ask me for money or smokes!”

That's a good idea. Mind if I borrow it? C'mon man, help a brother out.

---

Fortunately, begging isn't a real bad problem in my area yet. Good thing because I'm a pretty soft touch. Somebody asks me for a cigarette, I give them three. Somebody asks for change, I give them whatever ones I have in my wallet. If I had to go through what you do I would wind up on the streets.

a reply to: VictorVonDoom

If I had to go through what you do I would wind up on the streets.

I would be saying "no" to you. A bit ironic?

a reply to: minusinfinity

Not really. I couldn't beg. It's just not in me. I might be holding a "Will Work for Food or Tequilla" sign though.

The other day someone came up to my car while I was inside and started talking to me (yeah, before I was even outside my vehicle so I couldn't hear them.) I got out and they mumbled at me. "Speak up chief," I say. He's asking if I can give him a cigarette. We're walking and talking, and I say I don't smoke. I figured that was the end of it.

Then he asks me, "So did you quit or..." Yeah he's still following me. I just stopped and stared at him. I tell him I've never smoked and have nothing to offer him. I walk on.

I notice he's still following me. Finally he gets up the courage to ask, "So...can you give me some money for smokes."

The audacity, good lord! Yeah maybe I'll throw in dinner and a movie too!

*********

Sometimes I'm in a good mood and will help someone out.

I went inside a station to gas up my truck once. I came out and there's a homeless man who appears to be cleaning my windows. I watch him from a distance a bit and think to myself, "Alright, well at least he's trying. I'll help him out."

I get closer to the truck and say "Thanks, my windows have been dirty for weeks. Let me give you a few dollars." I open my wallet and there's nothing in there but a solid $20. His eyes are locked in. Well, I was in a good mood and it was his lucky day, and he actually tried to earn it, right? I handed it over and he rapidly walked off in the direction of the bar down the block. Gee, thanks!

On closer inspection I saw that not only did he NOT clean my windows, he just rubbed a dry squeegee over them smearing even more dirt around.

********

Sheesh, I want to help out others when I'm in a position to. I'd like to give them an inch, but they want the whole mile.

originally posted by: minusinfinity
a reply to: ArchPlayer

Honestly people should prioritize.

If I'm homeless and someone gives me a few bucks I wouldn't run to the liquor store. I would save the money.

Perhaps running to the liquor store or ordering pizza or whatever my vices are is why I'm homeless in the first place!

Not falling for your nonsense.

congrats on being the best homeless person ever. I assume of course you've done detailed background checks on the homeless you look away from. You know their mental capacity, living conditions, how they became homeless, what they've tried in order to get back on their feet and so on?

Oh that's right...you don't know their situation...but yes they are all con men/women

I'm not saying it isn't frustrating but you have to consider you live in a MUCH different economic bracket than they do and the fact is the help just isn't there. But no, the right wants to cut benefits even more. I see it in my town all the time. No, none, zero women's shelters in my town. They have to travel something to the tune of 100 miles to find a women's shelter...with no money...or support

No offense but I don't think you'd fair so well if you were suddenly dropped in that position

Yes there are con men who beg for a living and admittedly if I could target them they wouldn't get a dime from me. But I am pretty damn sure that the vast majority are displaced and poor. Try to see it from their point of view

Here I am homeless, penniless and broken. Because of my terrible situation I often have mental illness or substance abuse issues to worry about as well. Yes I am aware substance abuse it touchy but not all homeless are homeless BECAUSE of SA issues, a lot learn it on the streets because I gotta tell ya, if I were in their lack of shoes I'd wanna get high real fast and often. The situation is devastating and our piece of crap country is constantly pressing congress to cut even more of the barely-there benefits. Meanwhile, the few benefits that are available are few. far-between and often very limited. I see it at our shelter every day....sorry we fed 100 people and have no more food. Then look at his/her eyes when you tell them they ran out of food and feel like a total POS because you just told a homeless person "nope, nothing left for you."

Meanwhile we tell them to "pull yourself up by the bootstraps!" which is IMO the most insulting comment ever because most of them have no ability and no bootstraps. We are in a crap economy where even college educated people are scratching to get a job...any job and we're gonna tell these destitute people to get over it and work harder when the system is working hard AGAINST them.

I'll be honest this post is general to anyone who fits this bill

So I am not falling for their nonsense...I've worked a soup kitchen. I AM a trauma therapist who sees homelessness in both my emergency rooms every day...the bootstraps don't exist...and when a homeless person DOES find a bootstrap the government cuts it