Begging for Money

[southernhorizons]

I was approached once, by a crazy girl when I was sitting in the truck waiting for my father to come out of the store. I just rolled up the window and ignored her. I would gladly give to someone who really seemed destitute, but I could tell her mind was all burned out by drugs, and she was so over the top crazy that she really needed to be put away.
My brother and I took a trip to Toronto once, and there were plenty of homeless people up there, living on the streets although it was cold in the winter. We gave them a few bucks, but being tourists, our available money was limited.

[countrygirl12]

I recon this guy has approached several people in our parking lot over the past week.  This has been an interesting discussion.  Thanks to everyone for their imput.  Times are tough for almost everyone.  And just because someone has on clean clothes, has taken a bath and cleaned up doesn't mean they are rich.  I do however know people who are rich and dress and live like Jed Clampet before he struck oil. lol

[cathy37]

If I thought someone was really in need I might would help out, but I have had the same man approach me two different times with the same story.  Maybe something can happen one time, but two times seems a little strange.

[ancmetro]

 
      Put yourself in their shoes!

[marciaenglish]

I never give money!  I would buy them a meal or go to the store and purchase food; but, never money!

[carolhall1031]

Have to share....saw a man begging for money.  While the light was red his "cell phone rang".  It was his partner because we went across the street to a store and when we came out there was the man.  He and his "partner" had switched sides!

[countrygirl12]

      Put yourself in their shoes!

I can't put myself in their shoes.  I am not a liar, a thief nor a dead beat.  This guy is a worthless bum who refuses to work.  He makes up a story and begs for money from people in parking lots.  The difference between me and people who actually are homeless is I do what it takes to survive.  I HATE my current job.  But it pays the bills.  I have worked in fast food and hated that as well.  But I done what it took to survive.  There are shelters and programs for people who are truly homeless and hungry.  There were more complaints this weekend.  When he gets caught he is going to jail.  Or will at least have a nice chat with the police.  People are tired of him begging for money and stalking them in the parking lot.

CAROL - They usually work in pairs or groups.  The thing in my home town lately is to put on the sign you are a veteran.  People are more likely to give them money.  And NO they are not really a veteran they are a liar.

I am about over supporting charities as well.  I heard on the news this morning where several supposed charities been in operation for a long time have been busted for fraud.

[paints]

If someone asks me for money, I give it if I can.
I know what it is to do without, and people helped me, so I pass the help along.

[plaandrew22]

I feel like I could offer them much more if I were to give them information about what they could do. Most of the times $10 won't change their life, but an encouraging message might make more of a difference.

[bigfoot951]

I see people doing that all of the time and people standing on the side of the road with a sign...all of the time.  I could win $500 million in the powerball and I would never give one cent to any of them.  The reason they don't get a job and lead a productive life is because people give them money.  I will not be held personally responsible for continuing that trend.

[Bigpar31]

This generation cares more about what can i get instead of what can we earn. Its way easier to ask for money than to work for it. Its wrong and hope new change happens soon.

[countrygirl12]

I feel like I could offer them much more if I were to give them information about what they could do. Most of the times $10 won't change their life, but an encouraging message might make more of a difference.

lol.  They don't want an encouraging message.  Not do they want food.  They want cash so they can go buy drugs.  I remember years ago a local tv station done an interview with a couple of the "homeless" in the area.  The old man they interviewed I swear had liquor in a paper bag he was drinking WHILE they interviewed him.  HE said out of his own mouth that he was homeless because he was a drunk.  HE said when he gets money, mostly from begging, that he takes that money and buys liquor and he gets drunk.  He admitted that he could have a job and somewhere to live but he did not want to work.  Most people are in the situations they are in because of themselves.  We live in a society where people would rather have everything handed to them.  The people who work are tired of the people who are lazy and just want hand outs.  I know of several situations first hand and people on here who have offered someone food or to buy them food when they had a sign saying they were hungry and they refused because they wanted the cash.

[fjaz1]

Do you think they would really get hired?  I only give to legit organizations, not to some stranger and don't give to charities online.

[inertia4]

I have encountered people begging for money. but you can tell the true homeless and hungry person. Anyone following me to my car is a bad sign. I have no idea what they will do.

[davidh121]

I'm hesitant to give people money when they come to me or beg because I really do not know how they will use the money. I especially get uncomfortable too if cornered as I feel I have no way out of it. I would like to say they should get a job too, but I also believe there are some people who are mentally ill and are not able to. The ones with families, well...  I do wonder why they cannot get job sometimes too.