Do You Ever Give to Panhandlers?

Beezer

Beezer

Well-known Member
Through my connection, I get very cheap cigarettes.

So when a panhandler is asking for money at the stoplight, I'll usually just hand over a few smokes. I know if I give them money, it will likely go to booze or drugs. They are always thankful.

But I also find my charitable ways depend upon the mood I'm in that very second. Sometimes I'm just like, "Bah. Not today."

What has your experience been like with panhandlers?
 

So you buy cigarettes cheap to hand out to panhandlers rather than money for booze or drugs. Your money is going up in smoke.

There must be logic here somewhere, I just can't figure where.

No I do not give money to panhandlers. I give in other ways.
 

Lee said:
So you buy cigarettes cheap to hand out to panhandlers rather than money for booze or drugs. Your money is going up in smoke.

There must be logic here somewhere, I just can't figure where.
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Most everyone I know has a vice of some sort. Why so judgmental and churlish?
 
No. I don't really have an opportunity to meet many panhandlers , here, in the woods/sticks. I won't even feed the deer. I'm not sure if I give money to them. It depends on their obvious need. And if the money went for their addiction, that is their choice. But by this time, their addiction has to be fed to prevent severe , excruciating, withdrawal symptoms, so in a sense, it's not a choice.
 
Where I live now I never see any. Where I used to live was different. Whether I gave to people depended on the circumstance. If I was approached at a highway bypass where’d they come right up to my drivers side, never. I never give money to aggressive pan handlers. I’d rather give to the Salvation Army so I know where the money is going or a homeless mothers association.
 
Never have. A former coworker told a story about passing a panhandler with a sign about being hungry. So, friend drove to a nearby McDonalds and bought some food. Brought it back and gave it to the guy who looked at the bag, said "WTF am I supposed to do with this?" and threw it on the ground. Friend swore to never do it again
 
Beezer said:
The panhandlers are all very thankful when I give them smokes. They are all, for the most part...rock bottom. They appreciate the kind gesture. We can't all be as perfect as you are, now can we?
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If I were panhandling I would definitely appreciate a cigarette. A moment of bliss.
 
What would a Death Row inmate want more just before he is executed?

A cigarette? Or a fireside chat with Lee. :ROFLMAO:
 
Marie5656 said:
Never have. A former coworker told a story about passing a panhandler with a sign about being hungry. So, friend drove to a nearby McDonalds and bought some food. Brought it back and gave it to the guy who looked at the bag, said "WTF am I supposed to do with this?" and threw it on the ground. Friend swore to never do it again
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The same thing happened locally... "I don't want #$#@ McDonalds!" But even worse than that was seeing a lady in a wheelchair holding up a sign that she couldn't walk/work, please help" GET UP when her "shift" was over and load the wheelchair into an expensive car and drive away. I give to charity constantly... but not that way. Never.
 
People panhandling and living in tony homes and driving spiffy cars is just an Urban legend.
 
Beezer said:
What has your experience been like with panhandlers?
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For the most part, good

We hand out small Christian books
with a couple bucks in them

Sometimes with a coffee

Most seem grateful

One time a young lady, well dressed, with her dapper boyfriend, hanging back with dogs on leashes, approached us in a grocery store parking lot
Said she needed food
I pointed to the store
'It's there'
Gave her a book
 
Marie5656 said:
Never have. A former coworker told a story about passing a panhandler with a sign about being hungry. So, friend drove to a nearby McDonalds and bought some food. Brought it back and gave it to the guy who looked at the bag, said "WTF am I supposed to do with this?" and threw it on the ground. Friend swore to never do it again
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Not to far from a Hotel I was stopping in , was a young man sitting begging . My self and daughter bought some food at a shop and offered it upto him , he was quite choosey a Sandwich and a drink he took , but no he didnt want any cake ,,
He then said " you are too trusting " Well I thought Id sooner see you eat than sit begging .
 
I moved from Chicago to Los Angeles about 10 years ago. In Chicago panhandling was very common. In Los Angeles, there are far more homeless, but panhandling, in my experience, is very uncommon.
 
The last time I gave to a panhandler, it was to a woman who said she had run out of gas and was trying to get home. She was walking around a Walmart parking lot with an empty gas can, asking people for money. A few days later, I drove by the same parking lot and spotted her there, walking around, asking people for help.

I usually don't have any cash on me so I can't give even if I wanted to. A few days ago, I was waiting in a parking lot for a friend and there was a guy, probably in his 30s, carrying around a trash bag with something in it and he starts slamming it on his head and yelling at himself. He obviously wasn't well. He didn't ask me or wasn't asking anyone for money, but if I had some cash on me, I would have offered it to him.
 
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