You come across a person sitting begging for money in the street

[PaulineA 1]

I think everyone would give money if they could, that's obvious. But it's a bit of fun anyway.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

There was no choice for "Tell them to get off their but and find a job"

And NO I would not give them a dine... not even if I had a million $ in my pocket...

I had to start at the bottom of the heep when I got here, and I found work and have pride... there is work out there if you want it....

Kez

[Mags 112]

There was no choice for "Tell them to get off their but and find a job"

And NO I would not give them a dine... not even if I had a million $ in my pocket...

I had to start at the bottom of the heep when I got here, and I found work and have pride... there is work out there if you want it....

Kez

What if it is a genuine homeless person who doesn't take drugs? Homeless people are not just "bums", there are circumstances that can occur for someone to end up homeless y'know. To lump them all into one pile is rather heartless.

[Arazia 0]

I chose 'pretend you don't see them'.

This might sound like a cruel thing, but where I see the most homeless is in downtown, and most of them are either a) drunk or B) violent or c) crazy, or d)all of the above, or e) some combination of the above. I don't want to contribute to their addictions or problems.

I've been working downtown for a few years now, and I've been yelled at, accosted, tripped, and had stuff thrown at me by disgruntled homeless people.

[Jenn! 918]

I don't give to everyone because I can't afford to, but I will give when I can.

[Mags 112]

I chose 'pretend you don't see them'.

This might sound like a cruel thing, but where I see the most homeless is in downtown, and most of them are either a) drunk or B) violent or c) crazy, or d)all of the above, or e) some combination of the above. I don't want to contribute to their addictions or problems.

Again, lumping them all into one pile. There is a huge amount of intolerance here against the homeless and it's sad.

Edited March 5, 2007 by mags

[Boiler 44,224]

I chose 'pretend you don't see them'.

This might sound like a cruel thing, but where I see the most homeless is in downtown, and most of them are either a) drunk or B) violent or c) crazy, or d)all of the above, or e) some combination of the above. I don't want to contribute to their addictions or problems.

Again, lumping them all into one pile. There is a huge amount of intolerance here against the homeless and it's sad.

One of the nice thing about moving from London is that I just do not get this so much.

Seemed a failry accurate list, there will be the very odd exception.

I would add the Pro's as well, can pay a lot more than working fast food!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

If they are homeless there is nothing to stop them using one of the meny shelters to stay in over night and working during the day.... I know 2 people who do just that... so no being homeless does not mean you have to bed on the street....

I read an newspaper report here in Boston about a street begger who claimed that he made more money begging than he could if he worked and why should he work when people are happy to give him money for doing nothing....

You say I am heartless but in this life nothing comes easy if you want something bad enough you will suceed... in this day and age there are plenty of projects to help people out of a tight spot, homeless shelters, free food, clean clothes, if they want anything other than the basics then let them work for it same as I have to....

Kez

[Arazia 0]

I chose 'pretend you don't see them'.

This might sound like a cruel thing, but where I see the most homeless is in downtown, and most of them are either a) drunk or B) violent or c) crazy, or d)all of the above, or e) some combination of the above. I don't want to contribute to their addictions or problems.

Again, lumping them all into one pile. There is a huge amount of intolerance here against the homeless and it's sad.

No, lumping them would be saying they 'ALL' are ... I said most. I've also seen a guy wearing more expensive clothing than mine out there begging for money. I looked at his Ambercrombie jacket and Nike shoes and just shook my head.

I just think my money is far better spent donating to organizations such as food pantries and homeless shelters where those who need it can get the services they need, and you know that money isn't going towards something you don't intend.

[Alex+R 0]

I don't have money to give so much as I have my time, so I try to give that volunteering. Then at the end of the year I would prefer to donate money to organizations and institutions that can help people in those situations. I think in the end that might be more useful than giving a dollar to every homeless person I see on the street. I used to always apologize but after some time in Rio de Janeiro I learned to ignore them.

[Mags 112]

I chose 'pretend you don't see them'.

This might sound like a cruel thing, but where I see the most homeless is in downtown, and most of them are either a) drunk or B) violent or c) crazy, or d)all of the above, or e) some combination of the above. I don't want to contribute to their addictions or problems.

Again, lumping them all into one pile. There is a huge amount of intolerance here against the homeless and it's sad.

No, lumping them would be saying they 'ALL' are ... I said most. I've also seen a guy wearing more expensive clothing than mine out there begging for money. I looked at his Ambercrombie jacket and Nike shoes and just shook my head.

I just think my money is far better spent donating to organizations such as food pantries and homeless shelters where those who need it can get the services they need, and you know that money isn't going towards something you don't intend.

That's not what you said there (see bolded part). The inference was that the majority are drunk or druggies etc etc

I apologise if my inference was wrong.

Edited March 5, 2007 by mags

[Nagishkaw 510]

I would buy them food if they were hungry. I would never give them money because they might buy booze or drugs with it .

[Jasman0717 9]

I remember my brother telling me about a classmate that was using panhandling experiences to do his masters and the fellow made about $50,000 doing it and that was 30 years ago so I don't give money. I donate through affilations at work.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

I will offer to buy them something to eat , I usually carry water in my car and give a couple bottles of water,

thats about it. I typically do not give change to pan handlers.

During the Holidays Seasons I alwasy see this guy set up on the off ramp he sells hand made wreaths from real tree clippings, I always give him some extra money because he is trying to provide a service in return for money.

In California and actually much of the USA a lot of working people are 1 or 2 paychecks away from being homeless,

so i do Not automatically assume that drugs or acholhol are the reason they are destitute and froced to beg for money.

It is sad that our Govt. spend Billions/ trillions of money to fight a war when our own American Citizens, legal residnets and neighboring countries are suffering from poverty, Hunger, and are homeless.

Katrina Victims are still rwecovery yet Our Govt. sees it more important to spend money on a war that we have no business fighting.

So to see Homeless people in my own country that were forced there because their Govt. won't step in and help them it sickens me.

[Nessa 23]

Pretend I don't see them.