Are you a Bum/beggar magnet?

D

Disgustedman

Senior Member
I had to hit a grocery store to make a request for prescription refill. Bought some steaks and bacon, headed out. Walking to the van, guy rolls up, dressed OK, fair car and wants some money for food, refused (I'm not carrying money)

But in the past 4 months, I've had many people In cars roll up begging. I swear people seem to act like I've got a sign on me saying "Hidden wealth"

I've even heard that some bums have card reader accounts so to beg from cashless people. People would rather gather cans sorting through garbage, then work a normal job, due to their addictions.
 
There was a man that stood in the mall parking lot playing a violin with a speaker and a small gas powered generator to power his violin and speaker. This started about a month ago and he would only show up a few days each week. He has a sign that states he will play any song for $5. Last Monday, I walked up to him with a $5 bill in my hand and told him he could have it if he could play “Send In The Clowns.” He agreed and the other young man with him offered to sing it for another $5. I thought “what the heck and said, ok.” It was great and soon several other people gathered around. The next lady walked up to them and said she would like to hear the song “Theme From A Summer Place.” He played it perfectly and she gave him the money. I walked away after that, but I saw another man walking up, but don’t know what song he asked for.

On Wednesday, I had to go back to the mall for an exchange. I said to the cashier that I guess the violinist didn’t show up today. She told me he wouldn’t be back because someone complained that he was causing a crowd that blocked traffic, so the cops ran him off. I felt disappointed and thought how sad that was.
 
Disgustedman said:
I had to hit a grocery store to make a request for prescription refill. Bought some steaks and bacon, headed out. Walking to the van, guy rolls up, dressed OK, fair car and wants some money for food, refused (I'm not carrying money)

But in the past 4 months, I've had many people In cars roll up begging. I swear people seem to act like I've got a sign on me saying "Hidden wealth"

I've even heard that some bums have card reader accounts so to beg from cashless people. People would rather gather cans sorting through garbage, then work a normal job, due to their addictions.
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What you describe is not your story, but their story. I was shopping for a few things on my card, and got $20 cash back. I was leaving the lot, when a guy in a car stopped beside me and said he needed gas money to help get back home. My gut instinct was to help the guy, so I gave him my Twenty and after thanking me we both drove away. There were no losers in that transaction. Regardless of his intentions, mine was to bless him. Any of us could be in his shoes one day.
 
Disgustedman said:
I had to hit a grocery store to make a request for prescription refill. Bought some steaks and bacon, headed out. Walking to the van, guy rolls up, dressed OK, fair car and wants some money for food, refused (I'm not carrying money)

But in the past 4 months, I've had many people In cars roll up begging. I swear people seem to act like I've got a sign on me saying "Hidden wealth"

I've even heard that some bums have card reader accounts so to beg from cashless people. People would rather gather cans sorting through garbage, then work a normal job, due to their addictions.
Click to expand...
I frequently work with clients who are very poor. Not all have substance abuse problems. Many would love to work, and are unable to do so due to various disabilities. This is particularly true of veterans.
 
When I first moved to NYC. at a Queens subway entrance, there was a young clean-cut guy, who claimed that he lost his wallet, and needed change to get back to N.J. Well, the next day, he was there, and the next day, and the next day........... I got to know him. He made a living bumming money, but he had to do this all day long. On Thanksgiving, I went to Manhattan for the parade. I was standing there when I heard a familiar voice claiming he lost his wallet and needed change to get back to N.J. I guess when you gotta work, you gotta work.
 
I used to work in downtown Balmer. Every day when I would walk to get lunch. Some of the time it would get a little crazy. One guy would be on this corner and when we'd walk to lunch, he'd say 'Do you have some change? Then when I'd say sorry, he'd wait until I walked a little bit and say F U, lol.' When I'd walk back by, he'd ask again and I'd remind him what he just said and he wouldn't really remember it, drugs no doubt. I guess most big cities are like that today. One lady was screaming at us 'You have to help me! And cursing us up one side and down the other and pacing around'. She'd clear the sidewalks on both sides of the street, no one would get near her, she was mucho loco.
 
Hyperion said:
I used to work in downtown Balmer.
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I lived in the area for a couple of years in the 80s. Used to enjoy going to the Peabody Bookshop and Beer Stube. There was a guy there who was somehow learning disabled and perhaps a bit crazy. He used to sit at people's tables and paint their "portraits" then demand a dollar or so for them. I always paid and thanked him. The portraits were about what you would expect from a 5 year old, but I liked them. He remains my favorite panhandler!

Have not been back to Baltimore in years, but I understand the place is long gone, too bad.
 
Alligatorob said:
I lived in the area for a couple of years in the 80s. Used to enjoy going to the Peabody Bookshop and Beer Stube. There was a guy there who was somehow learning disabled and perhaps a bit crazy. He used to sit at people's tables and paint their "portraits" then demand a dollar or so for them. I always paid and thanked him. The portraits were about what you would expect from a 5 year old, but I liked them. He remains my favorite panhandler!

Have not been back to Baltimore in years, but I understand the place is long gone, too bad.
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Yeah, everyone has fled, except for me and I'm way outside the city proper and am soon to leave the state.
 
Not here in my little market town area.. but in London Beggars are everywhere.. However if a beggar was to drive up to anyone in the UK and ask for money..they wouldn't be getting it. If they can afford a car they can afford their own food...
 
Disgustedman said:
I've even heard that some bums have card reader accounts so to beg from cashless people. People would rather gather cans sorting through garbage, then work a normal job, due to their addictions.
Click to expand...
You've heard that, have you? Before you go spreading nonsense how about more than what you've "heard?" Gee, heard from who?
 
The beggars in my semi-rural area tend to passively stand by access ramps to and from Walmart, some holding signs, others not, counting on traffic stops to bring them occasional donations. If I’m stopped at their location, I’ll give them a $5 bill. In 15 minutes or so, they tend to move on to prevent police visits.

The beggars in the cities are far more aggressive, to the point of being almost predatory. In Baltimore they’ll come right up to you and verbally ask for money. They’ve learned to hang around parking lots so as to hit on people trying to access their cars…
 
I don't think so, don't they hit on everyone.

Sometimes I feel compelled. The last gal thanked me & said it will go towards her cataract surgery. I could actually see the haze in her pupils.
 
Ohhh my. Well I do not give to everyone…but I do give to some. Yesterday it was ten dollars. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Everyone has a story. I do not often have the time to ask them their’s. But I am very very lucky to have something to give.
 
Been There said:
There was a man that stood in the mall parking lot playing a violin with a speaker and a small gas powered generator to power his violin and speaker. This started about a month ago and he would only show up a few days each week. He has a sign that states he will play any song for $5. Last Monday, I walked up to him with a $5 bill in my hand and told him he could have it if he could play “Send In The Clowns.” He agreed and the other young man with him offered to sing it for another $5. I thought “what the heck and said, ok.” It was great and soon several other people gathered around. The next lady walked up to them and said she would like to hear the song “Theme From A Summer Place.” He played it perfectly and she gave him the money. I walked away after that, but I saw another man walking up, but don’t know what song he asked for.

On Wednesday, I had to go back to the mall for an exchange. I said to the cashier that I guess the violinist didn’t show up today. She told me he wouldn’t be back because someone complained that he was causing a crowd that blocked traffic, so the cops ran him off. I felt disappointed and thought how sad that was.
Click to expand...
Here in Toronto the Toronto Transit Commission has a program that allows buskers to perform in the subway stations. Each station has 2 designated spaces ( marked on the floor with orange tape ) where they play, juggle, do magic, or sing. The buskers have to audition, and if accepted, they get a TTC issued photo ID card, that they wear on their clothing. Transit riders can drop a Loonie or 2 in the busker's hat as they pass by. There are also designated places in the downtown core where buskers can perform. The Toronto Police would not "run them off " as they are a big tourist attraction during the warm part of the year. JimB.
 
Meanderer said:
I was shopping for a few things on my card, and got $20 cash back. I was leaving the lot, when a guy in a car stopped beside me and said he needed gas money to help get back home. My gut instinct was to help the guy, so I gave him my Twenty and after thanking me we both drove away. There were no losers in that transaction. Regardless of his intentions, mine was to bless him. Any of us could be in his shoes one day.
Click to expand...
Love this!
 
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