How do you respond to people on the street that ask you for money?

[NewLeaf]

A senior Chaplin from the Salvation Army came to a meeting of the Jaycees in 1992 (about when the exit bums started panhandling in Greenville), and he told us they'd (the bums) been quite candid with him in interviews and told him they earned $900+ on a good day.

saw 1 gettin in a newer bmw yrs ago , took the nasty over shirt off , put it in the trunk

 

[AC-130 Above]

I usually just ignore them or just stare at them like a retard. I can't stand them so I know if I open my mouth I'll say something bad, and its always while I am in my work clothes so I just try to ignore them. Working across atlanta I have come accustom to the hot spots. Amazing how its usually always in minority neighborhoods. It always blows my mind.

 

[Critter4528]

The legit ones have plenty of church and social services available to them.

I do donate my time in church
My MIL was a volunteer case worker for one group. They vetted those seeking help to be sure there was a real need for assistance.
If you believe in helping the truly less fortunate, donate your time and money to one of these organizations so you’re not wasting resources on a sorry-ass scammer.

I donate my time in church and to the needs of others, don't judge a man till you walked in his shoes and know his heart

 

[JarheadE5]

At a traffic light I once gave a guy $5. He was holding a sign that read; "Need money for beer". It was a hot day, he looked thirsty, and I was impressed with his honesty. So I waved him over, gave him the cash and told him to go and buy a 6-pack on me. His thankful reaction was worth it...

 

[Realtor]

I like to give when I can

 

[reklawd]

I went to the real GSU in downtown ATL and I remember 3 different panhandlers hitting me up on one .25 mile trip from my car to my classroom to take finals at 8 PM in Dec. As stated on here, I give to NPO's rather than to panhandlers themselves.

It's sad to say, but I only give money to people who give me something. There was crackhead named Jazzy J in downtown Athens that would do custom raps for you as you were leaving the bar. Or the guy in the in courtyard at GSU that would sing 50's songs. Those guys always got my spare cash.

 

[Lawn and Tree Barber]

I won’t give any money to the homeless on the side of the street. 99% of the time it’s used on drugs. I will give them food/drinks so I know they will be eating/drinking to better themselves.

 

[Sowega86]

I've had folks ask for money for food and I counter, that I'll buy them food or a meal but they turn me down. At the gas station, people have asked for money for gas and I've offered to pump gas into their car but they turn me down. There's some other motive at play here- drugs, alcohol, or lottery tickets!

At Publix, I watched a clean cut older guy panhandle women pushing grocery carts. When I exited the store, he was hitting me up for money and I told him no. After I walked away, he pulled out a cell phone and said something and a late model car arrived which picked up him and a couple others from the parking lot. I saw him for several weeks at the Publix in Albany then no more.

 

[carver]

Get the **** away from me....moocher

 

[BIKER13]

I ask em if they know ___ tell em the guy behind me has all the money