Not sure what this guy wanted...

[Danny Tanner]

I will try to be generous when I can and if I feel it appropriate. But, I once had a guy approach me in my truck at a drive thru asking for money for something to eat. I told him if he would tell me what he wanted I would gladly purchase it for him with my order. Told me i didn't need to do that if I just had a buck or two to spare. I told him I would be glad to buy him something and then he told me he was just gonna be honest that he wanted a drink. I told him i would feed him but I would not feed his addiction.

I've mentioned this here before, but I'll mention it again.

KOCO (OKC metro news channel 5 (ABC)) did a report a few years ago on Oklahoma panhandlers.

Some organization created a coupon booklet (with bus passes, food vouchers, and tons of other stuff in it) and tried handing them out to offramp and intersection panhandlers.

My statistics memories are a bit faded on this subject, so I'm just going to throw out numbers as an example, but it was something like only 50% of the beggars accepted the coupon books and of those handed out, less than 10% of the coupons were redeemed. It was a hugely significant number like that. After that story, I went from giving a buck or two out to almost anybody that asked for it to not giving out a single dime to beggars.

I know there are people out there who need financial help, who need a hot meal, but that story spoiled it for the whole bunch.

I do, however, donate through Kiva.org. So I try not to be too stingy with my money.

 

[CutBaitNBlowSh*tUp4ALivin]

I had someone come up to me within 5 feet of the Buffalo Wild Wings door. I always say "I dont carry cash. Thats what a bank account is for." She sobbed her story so my wife gave her our leftovers. 4 hot wings and a cup of ranch. She was pretty content. I laughed at BBs post. Awesome.

Also, two weeks ago there was a girl in Bricktown that had a sign that said "63 cents short of a $1 cheeseburger."

 

[tul9033]

I work in downtown Tulsa and am pretty used to being approached for money. I have had a couple of guys ask me to buy them a meal which I actually did.
However, be very careful. The last time I gave a guy some money I whipped out my wallet and he had his eyes on it like a hobo on a bologna sandwich. I just knew I was going to be chasing this guy down to get my wallet back. Never again will I show my wallet to anyone who's not behind a cash register.
The gig is up, no more handouts. I'm tired of hearing the same story from the same guys 3 days later or how they are broke down and need money for a tow or for gas or to feed their kids. You would be amazed at how many people just ask for money and get it. Many times once they get a dollar or 2 they will almost strong arm you into giving them more.
It's a short and firm NO directly to their eyes and keep moving now.

 

[HMFIC]

I've seen the same ones over and have talked to more than a few who admitted that they just needed a drink or drugs and money to sustain their non-working life. I'm to the point where I won't believe any story at all now and that's a shame.

My heart still does always go out to these people when I see them. I don't ever give them money, but I can't help but empathize with them regardless of their situation.

No matter which way you slice it, whether they are truly homeless, just drunks or addicts or simply so low that they are finding a way to make a quick buck in a shameful way; they have hit rock bottom and I hope that they can find a way to pull themselves out of it.

 

[scube]

Last time I helped anyone was the last time. On a friday mid-afternoon in Stillwater some bum on 6th street asked for a some beer money. I told him I was heading into the bar and was going to get a pitcher so and he could have a glass.

I go to the bathroom and one of the girls there tells me he was trying to sell my pitcher to them so he could buy "a rock". Well that pissed me off a little so I took my pitcher and told him in no uncertain terms he was not welcome at my table or to my beer. He gets pissed, starts swearing etc. I say forget it and leave... well he follows me outside and is now trying to start a fight. ****.

He picks up a large brick that was holding the door open and half assed throws it at me which is easily dodged. Next he grabs a chain off a welding truck and starts swinging it (this all happened in probably 10 seconds) Then I hear the sirens and see SPD pull up and the officer jumps out waving his gun in the air... I'm not joking, this barney had his finger on the trigger and was waving it gangster style sideways! I was certain I was going to accidentally get shot! Well my arms go straight up and other guy with the chain is resisting. Lots more cops show up. He ends up getting ADW, theft from a vehicle(chain) and a bunch of other stuff. Turns out he was also recently arrested for kidnapping, rape and a few other felonies.

So I was now talking to the cops... probably over the legal limit but far far from drunk. And they gave me the option of a public intox and the weekend in jail or 8 hours in the First Step sober-up place. Obviously I chose First Step.

All because I didn't think it through enough and tell the bum to f-off.

Now I keep meaning to order this shirt and will wear it proudly.

 

[LightningCrash]

I go to the bathroom, and one of the girls there tells me he was trying to sell my pitcher to them so he could buy "a rock".

girls in the mens' bathroom?

sounds like some bar

 

[JRSherman]

I stopped caring after living in the Hampton Roads area in Virginia. If you've ever been there, prior to 2009 at least, and have taken the Damm Neck exit off 264, you might have seen what I'm about to talk about.

I used to go out to the beach there quite a bit, metal detecting some old Colonial era house sites in the woods. Every time I got off at that exit, I'd see a bum there holding a sign. I'm a harda$$ anyway, and never gave them money to start with, but here's what ticked me off entirely.

On one of my random trips out there, I witness the "Watch Relief". Another bum, wearing the same exact clothes as the bum holding the sign, walks up, takes the sign and the cup, and takes the original bums place, and commences his "duty". WtF?

Not long after that, Virginia Beach put in an anti-panhandling law. It turned out there were a few "bum-rings" ran by some woman in Georgia that were performing this type of operation, just like the prostitution ring in DC. Not a bad idea by VB, but they just all moved to Norfolk anyways.

Just another day in Ameridise.

 

[Turnip]

There's a big difference between someone aggressively approaching for money, and an obvious homeless guy digging through a garbage can/dumpster for food.

Ask me for my money and you're not getting it, but if I see you're in real need then I'll get you some food.

 

[Werewolf]

MAN!​

I just don't get why you guys are so darned nice to people who are obviously panhandlers.

Try this...

Get the hell away from me you F*&^% BUM!​

Works like a charm and the look on their face is just priceless.

For some wierd reason it always embarasses the hell out of my wife. I've explained to her repeatedly its not our job to support lying scum beggars but she still gets embarassed. I just don't get it.

Really - I don't get it. Why must we even give the time of day to those people?

 

[Dale00]

They want to get in your "personal space" and intimidate you into giving them cash. I've learned to do the following before they get into my space - hold my hand palm out and towards them (stop sign) and say in a loud command voice, "I can't help you sir!"

If they keep coming... "Keep your distance, sir!" The "sir" is in case there are witnesses and you do end up being attacked by one of these loons. It makes it clear to any witness that you are not being rude or argumentative or in any way provoking the beggar.

It's not just a matter of being harassed, who's to say that they might not pull a knife once they are in close?