MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Who here supports panhandlers?

Who here supports panhandlers?


When someone on the street approaches you asking for alms, how do you usually respond? I usually decline to give them any cash, sometimes looking off into the distance and yelling "Kyle, Kyle, don't go in there!" before I run across the street. It's a good way to get out of most conversations.

However, people straight up asking for food or water tug at my sympathies. Recently someone approached me outside a takeout restaurant asking for a couple bucks. When I told him I didn't have anything to spare, he said he just wanted a little something to eat, so I told him to wait outside and came back with a sandwich.

In conclusion, homeless life isn't easy. What does everyone else think?

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It's complex. If they see you get out of your car you have to give them something or they may vandalize your car. If not, I don't give 'em anything.

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In my youth I was less tolerant of it. I've mellowed. NO matter the reason...I've come to realize how well I have it... And how shitty they have it. I've also come to find it Is a lifestyle seldom chosen. I typically give...

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I have been asked for money before and instead tried to give food

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What happened after you tried to give food?

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He said he would only take the money

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I'm wary. If someone is homeless and needs food that's one thing. We had a group of aggressive panhandlers about 10 years ago that were making about $400 a day each so that kinda turned me off giving any sort of money. I volunteer with a group that makes food to feed homeless and I'm much more comfortable with that.

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I think that’s more the way to do it .

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Don’t ever give them money, because it could very easily be going into their arm, and that comes from observation (there is a big drug problem in the Boston suburb where I live, as if there were not a big drug problem everywhere), but do give them food. Then you know where your money is really going.

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I live in a small town North of Boston and I can attest to the drug problem. One of the tricks they use is going up to cars in a parking lot and act like they need a little cash for the train. I take this shit personally because my childhood best friend died from an overdose last summer. Saddest part is that he was 2 years clean and one slip up cost him his life. He came from a good family, went to private high school and a well known university. Addiction can strike anyone from any walk of life.

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Admirable stuff.
We need a way to marry together all the food that is thrown away each day with those who are going hungry.

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No. They usually don't want food or coffee. They want money to buy cheap booze.

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I’ve actually given booze

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That should really help them.

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I gave him a couple of beers from my case on my way out . Was very grateful to have them

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I don't have a problem with this, sleeping rough is tough and not often a choice.
Whatever gets a body through the night.

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I’ve been down to my last dollar at one point of two, but I have always had a roof over my head.

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Definitely no, I work hard for my money

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Have you ever tried to find work without an address?

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Turn the firehoses onto them...!

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I know your joking, but if I ever saw someone abusing a homeless person, I'd whoop their ass.

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Moment please ! What if homeless person had just molested a child and the childs father was giving the homeless person a beating ? Would you still defend the homeless person and whoop the father's ass...?

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Most homeless people are good folks who have fallen on hard times. I've heard of a few cases on the news where sick people beat homeless people for sport, even going as far as lighting them on fire. Your scenario of a homeless person being a pedophile sounds like a stretch and is mostly unlikely.

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It all depends on if the individual wishes to be homeless - many prefer the hobo life.
And too many are simply scam artists.

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