When you see a person at an intersection, holding a sign asking for help, do you give them money?

eastern NC Sensei

Great question Steve! It's sad that we even have to ask it though. I'm now in the health care field so I've seen many who are simply lazy but then I've also seen many who really can't either physically or mentally hold a job. Some have psychiatric disorders and some went through a motor vehicle accidents or other trauma related situations. There's a lot of people out there who can't afford insurance. Think about how long you would survive from this point on if you got in an accident and workman's compensation wouldn't pay. Some folks have vacation time or even a little in the bank but how long does that last? I figure even if something happenned to me and I didn't have my 401K I'd probably be homeless myself in less than 6 months.

But, the fact remains we want to empower the folks who are out there. You still can't trust to just give money despite the fact they probably really do need help. The fact is that if they have schizophrenia or whatever they may not even trust you either even if you really wanted to help them. We can do a quick fix with a sandwich etc. Depending on them, offerring a job could be dangerous too. It's sad all around. If they can read, you might be able to give them info so they can get help. Basically, give them info and a burger but never money.

On a side note, before I worked in health care I was an installer for carpet and tile. My friends and I actually needed help and then we saw a guy with a sign saying, "I will work for food". It was great. We needed help. He needed food. We approached him and he quickly said... no no no.... I'm good I have a paint job coming up. So basically he knew most people would just give a handout. Sad. We were going to feed him and probably give money too. Some people don't have the drive to survive even if they do have the capacity to do so. Sad but true. I lived in a 65x12 trailer with no heat or air for about 7 years and mostly spaghetti, Ramen Soup, and peanut butter etc to make it. Sure, I'm successful now but you got to have the drive to look long run and unfortunately some people are about right now and others really can't do either.

Merry Holidays everyone!

jh_sakura

No

If the have enough willpower and time to make a sign and stand at the intersection all day... then they have enough willpower and time to look for a job.

Ransom

When it's convenient. It's difficult to distinguish between the people that really need it and career beggars. Nobody likes to be duped out of their money.
I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but don't we pay taxes for social programs to avoid this thing?

yournotalone

havent yet and dont plan to.
Go get that person a meal and bring to him. Atleast then you know they wont be wasting your money.

Tammy

I always do.

I would rather be wrong 99.9% of the time than turn down someone ONCE who truly needs it.

Shaun N

I have, on my morning commute to work I would stop at a gas station for coffee. One morning this guy was out there saying he ran out of gas and was trying to get back to his city, which was 30 miles from where he was, could I help him out, I did.
For two weeks this same guy was there with the same sad story, then he caught me on a bad day, and when he asked me again, I said "damn, you been out of gas for two weeks, and still haven't made it home, by now you could have walked there!"
I think we should all be charitable to each other, I have been without myself, but in my city, most of em want drugs or alcohol.

brittany4jesus

It depends, and only for organizations. If I would be holding up alot of traffic, no. If I dont have any change, then no. But if we are stopped at a traffic light, and I have at least 50 cents I give it too them. They dont expect everyone to give them money, they also have other things they do for money, like fund raisers, they might set up a stand in the mall, go door to door, there ar many ways. Dont feel like you have to give right there and then, there are other ways to give to them.

Hope I helped! Have a very Merry Christmas!

moose on the loose

Only if they have a flyer for the organization they are collecting for. There is a home for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics an inner-city church runs. They give a flyer and cookies, etc. for any donation. I have seen their work. It is great. Always give bills to them. One time a couple and their 2 kids were stranded with no $ or gas for car. He lost his job and they were traveling cross country to her parents home. Gave them money, filled tank, and bought food for the road. Felt so good to give. But don't give to regulars that hang out daily on the corner. Probably have more money than me.

Freak Boy

It's best not to give them money. Find out what they need. Are they hungry? If so, tell them to wait and go to a drive-through and buy them a meal. This is the United States of America, a place where ANYONE, I mean ANYONE can be a millionaire if they just use the heads. And you must understand that for a lot of people, holding up that sign IS THE BUSINESS they have chosen. Many of them have homes, some have families, and they have decided they are going to be professional panhandlers. If you buy them food, watch the reaction. The truely needy ones will be eternally thankful, and you know that its ok to buy them another meal if you see them again. The pros will scoff at you. Offer help, not money.

Hillaryforpresident

No, but more because I just don't have it to give than any other reason.

Young boi

It depends on how they look,if they look like they need it then "no",if they look like they dont need it then "no"

Zee HatMan

Todays ecomony is at an all time high. Any one who wants a job can have one. PanHandlers have decided that their job is to be beggers. And no, I don't reward wasted talent.

dlin333

sometimes,, but not most often,,,,,,,,the main time i had seen them was when i was in college, on the exit ramp at my college,,,,,, while college students might be more willing to give, they also dont usually have alot of money,,,,,they also here stand outside the liquor store,,,,on fridays, but with no signs,,, i more tend to give them money there,,,, figure if i have it to spend on booze, i can spare a little,,,

bildymooner

ONly if they are willing to work for it. I would pay then say 20 bux to mow the lawn or something like that. I will not just hand it out.

Spirit of ~^Spirituality^~

never...now cnat they do some job...or just go on begging!

rosebud

Not anymore, this one has been played out.

Jessi

while I was living in Scotland, they did a report about the people in the city asking for money. One guy they interviewed said he lives in a house, drives a nice car, and works the late shift, but sits in the city streets asking for money just so he doesn't have to pay tax on what he gets.
so no I will not and do not give money to anyone no matter where they live

Catmmo

Nope. I did once and then saw the guy walk straight into a bar. I'd rather give someone a meal or some clothing - something they need more than a drink.

UncleRico

No, I've thrown stuff at a few though.

iwasnotanazipolka

No - there's plenty of work out there. They are just too lazy, too stoned or too drunk to work and want a handout. And the more often they are given money, the less likely they are to get out of the gutter and help themselves.

Don't be a enabler, don't give them money.

robert

I am homless and have been trying to find a job for 3 years and can not so yes i do hold up a sing asking for money. and people do hold the homeless back from getting a job. that's why there are so many homless in the usa. if you want to leave me a message you can at myspace the name is robert raymer 11?04/72 is my birthday.

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