Jib 0 #26 December 29, 2004 Generally, no. The last guy I gave money to walked across the street, waved a guy over, made a smoking action and bought crack. If I saw the wife/child, I would be inclined to hand a cabby $20 or buy the formula. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #27 December 29, 2004 when I was younger I occasionally would "help" someone by handing out money, but I got ripped off a few times & just saw too many scam artists, druggies, and beggars. and the few people who said they would pay me the money back NEVER did. I have not become jaded, I just have a simple rule: I do not hand out money on the street. Period. Another scam that I ran into in Baltimore was these guys walking around with a clipboard asking for donations for a family who's young daughter was killed 3 weeks ago in the crossfire between drug dealers. The clipboard makes it look official. It was total BS, because they ran that same scam for years, never even changing the story. Another time a panhandler walked up to me, held out his hand and said "Hey man, do you wanna donate for muscular dystrophy?" No clipboard or anything! I said, "Man, you're not even trying!" I do not donate to charities on the street either. If it isn't a scam, it might just be a charity that is poorly run so that little of your donation will actually go to the cause. You should go home & research a charity before donating to it. I help the poor and the homeless by writing a check to responsible charities. If you are a stranger in trouble on the street, I will help you out, but just not by handing you cash. If you want my help, ask me for something besides money. I am surprised that so many people here said they would fall for the scam I described in the first post. I got that scam from snopes. Maybe a lot of people on this forum just haven't lived in big cities or something. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #28 December 29, 2004 QuoteAnother scam that I ran into in Baltimore was these guys walking around with a clipboard asking for donations for a family who's young daughter was killed 3 weeks ago in the crossfire between drug dealers. The clipboard makes it look official. It was total BS, because they ran that same scam for years, never even changing the story. I've seen those guys every time I've been down at the Inner Harbor, like 3 times in the past 5 years. Actually, I think other than New Orleans, that's where I've seen the highest concentration of beggars and pan handlers anywhere in the country. Nashville is pretty high up there too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2fat2fly 0 #29 December 29, 2004 I'm a real sucker and I know it. I'll keep a few bills in my front pocket when I'm walking down the street just for the purpose. I know that maybe one in one hundred is legitimate, but......oh wellI am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #30 December 29, 2004 HAHA, In Chicago i have the same dam people with the same scams year after year. You can tell if a person is for real or if they are on the scam. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #31 December 29, 2004 QuoteMy theory is that if I were homeless and begging on the streets then I would want someone to show me the same kindness. if you were homeless I'd hope you'd be spending your days looking for a job, not begging. QuoteI have also had the point brought up that most bums use the money on booze or drugs. Well, if they do then that is fine. Really? It's not fine with me that someone is poor enough to be living on the street, and spending what little money they have on luxury items like booze & drugs. QuoteIf I were in their place then I would probably be an addict too. its usually the other way around. they're an addict first, and then they are in their place. Quote I do not encourage addiction in any way, um, yes you do encourage it in one way. Quotehowever who am I to dictate how a person chooses to live their life? so not helping someone buy their next rock is equivalent to "dictating" how they live their life?? sorry but this is a real hot issue with me. I've known too many alcoholics and drug addicts. Giving money to someone who you pretty much know is going to spend it on addictive substances is not helping them. It is not altruism, it is exploitation: Because you are paying them to debase themselves with substance abuse so that you can walk away and feel good about yourself. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #32 December 29, 2004 It is MUCH MUCH more helpful to people on the street to give money to a local charity. Even if they aren't buying crack on the money and are actually spending it on food, they're probably buying some expensive crap at a corner market. If you give it to a local charity they will use the money to buy inexpensive, nutritious food. There is one notable exception, though. At least here in Philly. Minors can't go to soup kitchens and shelters because it is illegal for them to be out on the streets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #33 December 29, 2004 As a rule I don't give money to people on the streets....except when my child is with me. I always give him a dollar to give to them. I think it's more important at age 7 to learn to give and to be generous than it is to understand that people will rip you off if you give 'em a buck. linz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #34 December 29, 2004 QuoteIf someone asks me for money then 9 times out of 10 I'll give it to them. You'd be out a lot of money up here then. I get asked for money several times each way to and from work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #35 December 29, 2004 I will not give money to someone on the street. If some woman is begging for formula for her baby, well maybe she shouldn't have gotten knocked up if she couldn't support it. I do donate to the homeless shelter here. If the homeless people need help, the shelter will take them in. If they choose to beg on the street, then i assume they're junkies and will not support that. Now if i'm in an office building/hospital/etc. and someone needs a dime for the vending machine, that i'll happily help out with. And also when i see someone in a grocery store lane buying laundry soap and other needed items, but don't have enough money and have to decide what to put back...well in that case i might offer to help pay. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #36 December 29, 2004 I see it as "There but for the grace of God, go I". I've given money to people on the street before, and bought meals and gas for stranded families. My kids have helped out people on the street as well, out of their allowances. Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, my oldest daughter rode around the outside of San Antonio carrying the flag to raise money for the victims. Every penny she received, plus donations from the us and her sister went to the victims.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peregrinerose 0 #37 December 29, 2004 QuoteThe big speech in Harrisburg & Lacaster is: "I need money for a bus ticket" I offer them ride to the station & 1 way ticket. >>>no takers so far= MAGIC! I live in Lancaster County, and definitely second this one!! Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #38 December 29, 2004 Nope.............it's funny too. Because I spend A LOT of time at airports.....people ask me for money fairly often. Funny thing is.....most of the time they are fairly well dressed people that suprise me that they would ask. The funniest thing to do is pull out my "Cred" wallet. Flip it open so they can see the badge.......and say "Wow.....I thought I had some money in here but I guess I don't." It's hilarious to watch them turn white and walk/damn near run away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #39 December 29, 2004 Sounds like a pretty sure-fire way to separate the fakes from the people that really DO need help...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #40 December 29, 2004 I've had people tell me that they would pay me back and they didn't... stangers that is... there are people that do that sort of thing as a scam/con... I did give a girl $5 for fuel (that was all I had on me at the time) and she was definely out of gas... so I'm gonna go with it depends... ScottLivin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #41 December 29, 2004 Quote Sounds like a pretty sure-fire way to separate the fakes from the people that really DO need help... Yep........it's great entertainment too. I got that idea when a friend of mine did the same thing after being propositioned by a hooker in the Alladdin casino. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #42 December 29, 2004 They have hookers in Vegas? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #43 December 29, 2004 That would be one of the ones where you just WISHED you had a video camera with you....Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GTAVercetti 0 #44 December 29, 2004 this thread reminds me of the lyrics to that lazyboy song, "Underwear goes inside your pants" We’re in one of the richest countries in the world, but the minimum wage is lower than it was thirty five years ago. There are homeless people everywhere. This homeless guy asked me for money the other day. I was about to give it to him and then I thought he was going to use it on drugs or alcohol. And then I thought, that’s what I’m going to use it on. Why am I judging this poor bastard. People love to judge homeless guys. Like if you give them money they’re just going to waste it. Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? Save it up and buy a wall unit? Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a CD rack? He’s homeless. I walked behind this guy the other day. A homeless guy asked him for money. He looks right at the homeless guy and says why don’t you go get a job you bum. People always say that to homeless guys like it is so easy. This homeless guy was wearing his underwear outside his pants. Outside his pants. I’m guessing his resume isn’t all up to date. I’m predicting some problems during the interview process. I’m pretty sure even McDonalds has a “underwear goes inside the pants” policy. Not that they enforce it really strictly, but technically I’m sure it is on the books.Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #45 December 29, 2004 Quotewould you help out a stranger who claims to be in need by sparing them 10 or 20$? Most of the time, no. People who aproch you on the street are often "profesional" beggars. I'd rather contribute to a shelter. In the right circumstance I'd help a person who seemed in need.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
