Begging Street People & How It's Changed

L

Lon

Well-known Member
Location
Central California
I don't know about where you live, but here where I live they used to hold up a sign saying "WILL WORK FOR FOOD" & now they just hold up a sign saying "Help Me I'm a VET" . Do you contribute?
 

Many or most of those begging in Glasgow city centre are not homeless. They are sent out by illegal organisations and get a percentage of the take.
 

I never contribute to folks just holding up a sign. Just not trusting enough. I think I became more cynical as time went on in my commuting days, when I'd see the same folks at the same spots day after day, jingling a cup and asking for change. I'd rather give to an organization that helps homeless vets and know that the money is going to help them.
 
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Lon said:
I don't know about where you live, but here where I live they used to hold up a sign saying "WILL WORK FOR FOOD" & now they just hold up a sign saying "Help Me I'm a VET" . Do you contribute?
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First I ask them if they have a dd214. that helps weed out some of the fakes. that, and a few questions about the military will help me determine if they really are ex military. If, after that, it's food they want, I'll offer to get them some food. I never hand out money... ever.
Also, I'm not inclined to help someone who (a) has a cell phone, (b) is smoking, or (c) is drinking or smells of booze. and, before someone jumps in and say's it may be a govt. handout phone, if that's true, then he/she is also eligible for other govt. programs and still doesn't need my help.
 
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No, I don't give them anything. They hold those same signs here and sometimes even have children with them but I still don't help them. These days there are too many scammers out there. There seems to be the most of them at Wal Mart here.
 
Sometimes, but not for a while, since they prefer our downtown business area, where I don't go anymore.

Canada provides ample services, assistance and benefits for vets and I've never seen any begging for money.
 
tnthomas said:
I don't give money, but I've been meaning to get a fistful of gift cards to local eateries, and keep them on-hand.
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If they are anything like the Aussie beggars they are not interested in money/ vouchers for food, the Aussie beggars I've encountered were after money for a bus fare , we'll that's the excuse
 
Speaking as one who has frequently worked with the indigent, often supply does not meet demand, be it soup kitchens, food banks, etc. I would rather risk being scammed than refuse to feed a child.
 
AprilSun said:
No, I don't give them anything. They hold those same signs here and sometimes even have children with them but I still don't help them. These days there are too many scammers out there. There seems to be the most of them at Wal Mart here.
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At my Walmart, they walk around approaching people as they get out or into their cars. That makes me nervous as I don't know if the person making a beeline towards me wants a handout or my purse. Doesn't matter, as he (or she) isn't getting either one. The police come around periodically and shoo them off, but they just come back.

I used to be kind and generous. Used to be.
 
jujube said:
At my Walmart, they walk around approaching people as they get out or into their cars. That makes me nervous as I don't know if the person making a beeline towards me wants a handout or my purse. Doesn't matter, as he (or she) isn't getting either one. The police come around periodically and shoo them off, but they just come back.

I used to be kind and generous. Used to be.
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Complain to the Walmart management about that. I have called the local supermarket manager after witnessing panhandlers harassing female shoppers.
 
Even in my rural area....every time I went to the gas station I was approached by pan-handlers. They would become very angry if you ignored or refused them. Always the same story. Needed money for gas, to get home. I emailed the gas station chain's home office. Got an immediate response. They asked for dates. I had all my receipts for the past two months...so was able to supply dates and times. Two days later I got a email...asking me to contact them if it should occur again. I never encountered any pan-handlers there again. Have no idea what they did. Whatever it was...it was effective.
 
ndynt said:
Even in my rural area....every time I went to the gas station I was approached by pan-handlers. They would become very angry if you ignored or refused them. Always the same story. Needed money for gas, to get home. I emailed the gas station chain's home office. Got an immediate response. They asked for dates. I had all my receipts for the past two months...so was able to supply dates and times. Two days later I got a email...asking me to contact them if it should occur again. I never encountered any pan-handlers there again. Have no idea what they did. Whatever it was...it was effective.
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I like it when people DO something besides whine. :)
 
I see a lot of signs and people hitting me up for money in parking lots, etc., but I haven't seen many I am a vet signs at all. I used to give, but I don't anymore. I have no problem saying no, as many of them are scammers. I'll give to local shelters or donate to food kitchens, but I rarely give money to anyone on the streets anymore. One guy (young) years ago asked me for change for the bus, when I gave him some, he got snotty with me and aggressively told me that wasn't enough for his bus fare. I told him to get a job then. :rolleyes:
 
When I go into the larger cities I keep dollar bills in my pockets to give to those in need. Usually young people who remind me of my grand kids. I've just known of so many young people who have really had it bad in life. I don't always give, I go by my intuition, which sometimes isn't correct.

The last year or two I have noticed a new trend. People who actually get angry if you won't help them. One man got very belligerent because we wouldn't take him home with us so he could do yard work or chores for us! He said we were all God's brothers and sisters. We had just left a restaurant for lunch and were getting in our car. My husband didn't hear what the guy was saying so I said "Start the car and get out of here as fast as you can!" We always keep our doors locked when we are in the car, which I think most people do anymore.


 
Shalimar said:
Speaking as one who has frequently worked with the indigent, often supply does not meet demand, be it soup kitchens, food banks, etc. I would rather risk being scammed than refuse to feed a child.
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I agree about children but I am talking about pretty healthy looking males.
 
The last year or two I have noticed a new trend. People who actually get angry if you won't help them. One man got very belligerent because we wouldn't take him home with us so he could do yard work or chores for us!
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Yeah, as if you want someone like that anywhere near your home. :rolleyes:
A friend was approached in a mall parking lot and a woman was going on and on about how she just needed $5 to have enough to take a greyhound bus to get away from abusive bf. Friend told her to call police or go to a shelter and the woman loudly cussed her out, as friend hurried to her car, locked doors and quickly drove away.
 
The panhandlers in Seattle and Portland are, at least, interesting. One in Portland was holding up a sign that said "KICK A PUNK IN THE JUNK FOR $1". One in Seattle had a sign "WILL ACCEPT VERBAL ABUSE FOR DONATIONS". One came up to me in Seattle and said, "Hey, lady, I'm not gonna lie to you. I need money for pot." I have to give them points for honesty; I don't, however, have to give them money.
 

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