Do you or Don't you?

What's the general consensus on beggars/homeless here in America? In Vegas atm and they are everywhere, I try to look the other way but feel so bad as they have nothing. I remember the same while travelling throughout Europe and I gave to some when I had it handy. Also in Thailand where they use their little babies to beg or sell their wares. Now I know that some do this for a job, but it messes with my head, can't save the world but is it that bad to try and give?

I was talking to an American colleague and spoke of the beggars out there and said I would give to a select few my change and he almost took my head off saying and that's why they are there because of suckers like you!! We don't see this much in our part of the world.

So what's the general consensus, do you give or don't and why?

I think it's a little different in the US than Thailand.

Most of the homeless I see are mentally ill or drunks.

Those I don't mind giving money or booze, respectively.

If you want to give, do it.



The panhandlers with a schtick can fuck off... with that much talent they can work.


*shrugs*

Yes, right in the strip 🙂 Yesterday flew in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon, was the most amazing thing I have ever done. Will remember that for a lifetime.

Oh the pan handlers, I called them hustlers to an American colleague and she laughed so hard.

I just feel like I tip the waiters etc so much, but they don't need it like the ones on the street that look like they need real food and a bath and some understanding but when you speak to anyone about it they are all so negative and it's almost a crime.

The people selling water in the streets, now they got their smarts on. I'm sure they make a great turnover. $ 1 for a bottle as apposed to $ 3.50- $ 5.00 in the stores that I've paid.

One beggar yesterday had a tiny dog with spots on it like a dalmation...I've never seen a dog like this and wondered if he had painted the spots on lol It was adorable 🙂

I bought a homeless man on the street a vientamese pork roll from the bakery which is the most delicious this in the world and he told me he only accepts money and i was oh no she didn't!!!

I was so flabbergasted being rejected from a homeless man in public I was actually embarrassed lol a couple days later I walked past him again and he asked me for food but my anxiety kicked in and I kept on walking and ignored him.

I'll give homeless and poor people food but ill never give them money unless they were busking or something (busking registration in australia is free) they could just sit there and play an accordion out of tune and id still pay them (probably to shut that shit off) but id still pay them.'

I understand its a hard world we live in and we are not all sound of mind but for fucks sake my family in fiji have less resources than any homeless people in Australia and they look after themselves and are very happy and positive people.

Posted by sweethearts

I just feel like I tip the waiters etc so much, but they don't need it like the ones on the street ...

that look like they need real food and a bath and some understanding but when you speak to anyone about it they are all so negative and it's almost a crime.

They DO need it, and they're willing to work for it.

I'm not sure I understand why you feel like you have to make a choice between giving money to the one

who worked for it vs the one who appears to need it.

You don't.


The way I see it, I pay for services rendered-- tipping is a part of dining at a restaurant.

Giving to those who seem needy is charitable, and a good thing if you do it because you see a need.

You get it back (imo) tenfold.

But the two aren't the same.


🙂

Tipping where I'm from is charitable, I'd like to decide that for myself but over here it is compulsory. Giving to the homeless feels more like charity. I abide by your rules because that's what you do, when in Rome do as the Roman's do but that doesn't change the way I was bought up and what I think. Giving to everyone is impossible unless I was a billionaire so making a choice on who to give to I would prefer.

The food here looks cheap and then all the taxes and tips on top make it not so, your government really should force the minimum wage up and your employers made to start paying a decent wage, then this wouldn't be a problem. The rich are just getting richer and making the poverty gap way larger.

Eleven. I'd feel the same about giving food, they have organisations back home that set up stands and feed homeless, no admin, just pure beautiful people that take their own time and resources to help out. I've also seen video's of like hearted people in the States. This is something, I'd rather give to. But then the way the world is, it would be run by an organisation which would eventually cream it!

Maybe you could just buy them a coffee or a sandwich now and then, it's not much but it helps in a more immediate fashion and eases your heart a little...
I used to do that when I worked in the city and I made some lovely friends that way. Yes, they were a bit crazy but I didn't have to worry they would spend it on booze or drugs you know?

I remember working at this bakery and they used to throw out SO MUCH FOOD at the end of the day, big collex bins worth so we would let the homeless know all this fresh beautiful bread was being thrown out and leave the lids off so they could help themselves overnight.
Anyway, word got back to this charity org some how and they arranged to take the food off our hands and give it to them, but somebody choked on a bread roll and it became an insurance issue or something and we had to stop 😢 once red tape gets a hold of something good it doesn't last very long I'm afraid...

Posted by sweethearts
Tipping where I'm from is charitable, I'd like to decide that for myself but over here it is compulsory. Giving to the homeless feels more like charity. I abide by your rules because..

Then it's a different situation entirely, isn't it?

Here, it's like you were saying people didn't deserve to get paid for working.

And Vegas isn't exactly the standard by which the rest of the US should be judged.

Regardless... you would still have homeless people if jacked the minimum wage up because

there will always be alcoholics, drug addicts and the mentally ill.

I usually see the beggars in the grocery store parking lot. I don't carry much cash, but if one comes up to bum some money for a bus pass or whatever bs they say I'll just give them whatever I've got in my wallet.

I guess you can purchase a permit to panhandle in some areas, and make enough for car payments and gas 😆

Posted by sweethearts
What's the general consensus on beggars/homeless here in America? In Vegas atm and they are everywhere, I try to look the other way but feel so bad as they have nothing. I remember the same while travelling throughout Europe and I gave to some when I had it handy. Also in Thailand where they use their little babies to beg or sell their wares. Now I know that some do this for a job, but it messes with my head, can't save the world but is it that bad to try and give?

I was talking to an American colleague and spoke of the beggars out there and said I would give to a select few my change and he almost took my head off saying and that's why they are there because of suckers like you!! We don't see this much in our part of the world.

So what's the general consensus, do you give or don't and why?

In Vegas huh? Nice! _??_Will be there myself in early December to celebrate my birthday. As for raising the minimum wage, fat chance of that happening with our "Do Nothing" Congress set to get worse with more Right Wingers in November and fascism setting in even more. By the looks of it, that motto is actually spreading to your neck of the woods with them repealing environmental laws etc. As for giving to homeless, it's simple. Don't assume and give when you can. What they do with it is up to them but don't mess up your karma and blessings by not giving when you can _??_ Have fun!

I'm hesitant to hand out cash money anymore because I just about got mobbed by a group of beggers once, but when I see some (assuming I have time to stop) I'll spend a little time observing and talking to them. The pro panhandlers I don't spare a dime for. The people who are really in need I'll feed and clothe.

We don't have many homeless people around where I'm from but I have been seeing folks with "will work for food" signs out more and more. I do what I can when I can to find them something to do. Get them some food, reasonable pay and set them up with a place to clean up or stay if they need it.

I've got more than enough for myself. No reason not to share.

I don't give money, I give stuff. I grew up in Baltimore and beggars were everywhere. We always saw the news stories following a panhandler to a parking lot where their new Mercedes was waiting and stuff like that. I still don't like passing them by because some of them really need help. I'm in a smaller town now but still see them here and there. I've taken people to my home to shower and eat, I take people with me on my lunch break, gave a guy my jacket in the winter. Stuff like that, no money though.

I'm also a big (harder to kidnap) guy though. I wouldnt recommend everyone be as open as this. Especially in big cities.

At the beginning of summer I saw a man standing in front of Lowes with a sign, I drove past, parked and thought about giving him some money after shopping.

Upon approaching the Lowe's store, I saw a sign saying, "help wanted"

this guy had some nerve panhandling in front of a help wanted sign .... he got nothing from me.


If he isn't willing to help himself, I'm not willing to give him money

Posted by fishinamaize
Don't give money to individuals. If you feel the need to help, give your money to organizations dedicated to helping the homeless.

You don't know whether or not your money will shortly be going towards the very drugs that left the homeless person in the situation they are in.I'm not saying that's always the case. I'm saying that it's often enough the case that it seems irresponsible to me- you might just be feeding into the problem as opposed to solving it.

jesus, that's so sad. 😢

i coulnd't watch more than a minute of it. It's like looking at "survival" of the fittest in a jungle city.

Have fun in Vegas everyone!!! One thing i have learned after living here for over 12 years is that some of the "homeless" on the strip aren't! It's scams they do to get money from the tourists. Be wary of who you give money too down there!

Southern Cali and here are inundated with homeless because it's warm, so yes we have many 😢

I have no problem giving, but I'm selective in how I give. I rarely give money, but will offer to buy groceries (since they usually ask for money because they're hungry, have kids to feed, etc). The ones who get pissy and indignant, refuse the offer of groceries, and only want cash are the scammers/druggies. Those that truly need it will be happy and grateful for the food. It makes me sick that the cheats of the world prey on making people feel sorry for them, take advantage, and make kind hearted people feel jaded about the homeless.

Its a lot of bums here in Chicago..i only give them some money if they're not white & doing some type of performance

there is no excuse for a caucasian to be a homeless parasite.And i work for my money, so these fucking worthless bums better have some talent if they want my pocket change

I actually never give money anymore. I would rather provide them with warmth, food, water. I volunteer where anyway to help the homeless. Not sure about other cities but here we have the genuine homeless, people struggling to live vs the ones that can't help but buy their weight in alcohol or drugs.

If it is money they want, money they won't get. Money has never solved anything. I also never want to equate kindness as something that can be bought or sold by currency.

it's so true. Go to places that are the poorest sections of the world and the U.S. is a place of where people can DREAM to have a better life. At least have food, shelter, a decent home, even if it's a one room place with kitchen,bed, bathroom, a little area for your reading/tv watching.

They even have people go and make small houses i saw on Netflix. Building your tiny home in the middle of nowhere. When you enter it's like a big camping van/home, where you can pull out your table from underneath and there's a bed up on the upper deck, stuff your pillows and sheets in one of the small cupboards, and a small range/kitchen area.

People who are usually homeless that we saw, especially in San Francisco....they are "mentally" disabled. And there aren't any places i heard that take care of mentally disturbed anymore or not much...because it is costly.

^Same here.

Everyone should watch Filantropy - good movie about this topic.

I don't trust organizations either..at least not those that operate here.

If someone is asking for money for food, I'll get them food. Sag friend of mine saw a guy claiming he didn't eat for weeks so he went and bought a sandwich. The beggar threw the sandwich back at him "Time is money dude, I need money". The nerve is amazing.

I have another friend of a friend who runs a construction company and he always needs people to work. He even provides accomodation and food at a canteen nearby. He wanted to help people so he asked a lot of beggars to come work in whatever position..most of them refused. But there are people who genuinely want to work and make a living so he keeps searching for those people.

There's an agency here where you can go and use the internet and list the kind of things you need on a site dedicated solely for this. I tutored a young woman in English because that's all she wanted to learn to get a good job since she didn't speak any foreign languages. She lived at a shelter, never requested money or anything..she was just delighted when I'd come by and we'd study.

Posted by TMV
I'm hesitant to hand out cash money anymore because I just about got mobbed by a group of beggers once, but when I see some (assuming I have time to stop) I'll spend a little time observing and talking to them. The pro panhandlers I don't spare a dime for. The people who are really in need I'll feed and clothe.

What criteria do you use to tell the two apart?

Posted by Layna
Do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT give to beggars on the streets in Thailand. They are almost solely run by mafia.

Even CNN Travel has an article that touches briefly on this.

There's a lot of articles that can go into more detail.

Oh, and the sleeping babe in his/her mother's arms who you feel REALLY bad for?

This article goes on better about what to do instead of giving money.

The mafias are smart! They intentionally place more beggars at touristy spots to gain even more sympathy. Plus, tourists tip more (conversion rates stuff). But, you know, at Chatuchak (for instance)... the famous weekend market? Ever noticed the beggars with their faces and other parts of their bodies that looked like they had melted off? That's because they tried to run away from that mafia system, but they got caught. ACID was their punishment.

Think before you give. I love that most tourists are so kind and generous. It is good. However, please just take all the above mentioned points to mind and consider other options before doing what is the knee-jerk reaction: giving cash.

i wonder if these poor beggars who are under the mafia, if they do not meet the "criteria" get tortured? It's a horrible world out there. 😢

Posted by Layna
Yes, lisabethur8. Beggars do get punished if they don't meet a "quota". From the 2nd link I listed:

—If we sold well, we were not beaten, but even if we sold 2,000 or 3,000 baht ( $ 60 or $ 95) worth, it still wasn't enough.??

Yes, it is a horrible world.

i didnt even read the link. I just figured that's what they do; i tend to watch alot of movies/documentaries. Even watching mafia movies/films, i get a visual of what they might be doing to people. I'm also wondering too, that how they get these people, is that they probably had alot of DEBTS...like they loan sharked and stuff, and asked so much and can't pay it back so they are under the mafia kind of thing. like they are "owned" because of the loan sharking. That's one of the reasons. I can't imagine how else these people got under their wing...unless too, they kidnap these people from poor places that can't pay or something.

Posted by seraph
If I have some change, then I'll just give. I don't feel the need to build a moral, socio-ethical strategy around it.

If the individual is honest, so much the better.

If they're dishonest, that's on their own conscience, and may they one day overcome their demons.

It doesn't just come down to who they are.

It's also about who and what I am.

What does my hanging on to a bit of change like grim death say about my faith in my own abilities and

intentions, and in my faith in the colossal abundance that characterizes Life?

Love this.

Posted by seraph
For him, a little more money probably means a little more warmth.

And maybe a little more faith in others, too.

click to expand

The act of giving encompasses SO much more than the transaction... what will be purchased... etc.

I'm sure I've said it before, but I was talking with a long-time friend (Virgo Sun, Leo Moon, Mars and

5th House Stellium... 7 planets) about this kind of giving, as well as giving to organizations and the church.

He said that (beyond due diligence, of course) our part is to give; anything beyond that is an attempt

to control the money, and what happens after it leaves our hand is none of our business... that is between

the recipient and his higher authority.

🙂

when we went to Las Vegas, during the summer, there were men out there outside the casinos with signs written, "I need beer."
at least they are honest.

Yes I heard that about Thailand Layla, I had a little boy pull on my dress at midnight once trying to sell me stuff!

So today I walked down the strip and I had a bundle of $ 1 bills, and gave them out. I kinda figured it was nothing big but may have helped. I got a lot of God bless you's and it did feel good 🙂One guy was sitting there smoking a cigarette and I made sure not to give to him, figured if he can afford to smoke it away, I didn't want to help pay for that.

My business helps to raise funds for organisations and I exert myself and staff raising money and I don't feel this type of gratitude, in fact the daffodil day fundraiser didn't even send any thank you for the money we raised in August.

I wish now that I had booked to go and stay somewhere else in the US like New York while I was here, Vegas is as you say not a great depiction of America and I hate the food here. Can't find anything healthy, I am use to a more Paleo type diet so it's been hard!

Nice, I like it Seraph, "it's also about who and what I am"

Posted by sweethearts
One guy was sitting there smoking a cigarette and I made sure not to give to him, figured if he can afford to smoke it away, I didn't want to help pay for that.

Righto... surely it couldn't have been given to him.

Posted by sweethearts
Nice, I like it Seraph, "it's also about who and what I am"

click to expand

There's was another with a tall can of vodka mix, yes I'm going to assume it was bought.

I raise funds for cancer every year, certainly not going to help give someone it! My choice.

Posted by sweethearts
There's was another with a tall can of vodka mix, yes I'm going to assume it was bought.

I raise funds for cancer every year, certainly not going to help give someone it!

My choice.

*shrugs*

I'm sure we're all judgemental about something.

No lie today i went to the mall to buy some shoes and two teens were sitting in between the intrance, the kid says "excuse me sir,but me and my gf got put out today, and we just need some money to get something to eat"...i told him i only had my card on me, and he said ok, and that was it.

Now if he asked if i could buy them a meal with my card, i probably would've did it..but i bet they just wanted some money for some weed,smh