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  3. What do you do when homeless folks ask for money?

What do you do when homeless folks ask for money?

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  • skyline969@lemmy.caS [email protected]

    Guess it depends on your city. In my city I have literally seen a homeless person throw food back at the person who gave it to them and scream “I ASKED FOR A DOLLAR, BITCH!”

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    wrote last edited by
    #125

    that was an ISAIP episode, when DEE gave a sandwich to a homeless, he said the same thing.

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    • W [email protected]

      Yeah you gotta mostly ignore the homeless where I’m at. Heavy meth, fentanyl area. Street violence is not uncommon. Just keep it moving and don’t loiter too long if you know what’s good lol

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      wrote last edited by
      #126

      same here,

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      • W [email protected]

        You sure this isn't a scene in scary movie?

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        wrote last edited by
        #127

        it was actually from ISAIP, when dee gave a sandwich to a homeless person, and the person threw back to her, give a dollar you bitch.

        W 1 Reply Last reply
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        • W [email protected]

          I used to give fairly often, but after handing one of the more famous homeless folks in my community a 5 spot and him immediately saying “thanks man, I’m going to go buy a beer with this” I took a hard think and realized I don’t want to enable that lifestyle. I mean a beer is fine every once in a while, but I’d rather see the guy have a safe environment where he can drink it.

          So now instead I donate to our local hospitality house every time someone asks me for some change.

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          wrote last edited by
          #128

          a sub, choosing beggers fits with some homeless , you give them a little something, but they want more.

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          • T [email protected]

            it was actually from ISAIP, when dee gave a sandwich to a homeless person, and the person threw back to her, give a dollar you bitch.

            W This user is from outside of this forum
            W This user is from outside of this forum
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            wrote last edited by
            #129

            I've seen that show so many times but I can't seem to recall that scene

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            • B [email protected]

              This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

              I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

              I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

              Its tough.

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              wrote last edited by [email protected]
              #130

              Have to pretend they're not there. It's awful. But I don't think that if I give them a few quid they'll turn their life around

              I prefer to donate to food banks

              1 Reply Last reply
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              • K [email protected]

                Ignore and donate to a local shelter and/or kitchen. Do not encourage street harassment. I know it sucks and I know a lot of people are hurting. But community aid should not be divided based on who is the loudest, most aggressive, or most "convincingly in need" based on appearance. (If someone is hungry or thirsty by all means hook up the people in need in your community, never hurts to share food and water)

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                wrote last edited by
                #131

                Or who can fight for that begging spot

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                • B [email protected]

                  This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                  I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                  I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                  Its tough.

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                  wrote last edited by [email protected]
                  #132

                  Unfortunately, I've had my fair share of ungrateful ones that kind of ruin it for everyone. Not even a thank you, just rip it off my hand and walk away like I'm a nuisance. I'm much more selective nowadays, but I do give occasionally.

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                  • B [email protected]

                    This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                    I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                    I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                    Its tough.

                    C This user is from outside of this forum
                    C This user is from outside of this forum
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                    wrote last edited by
                    #133

                    I tell them the truth, I don't have any cash on me.

                    On the rare ocassion i do, I'll give $10 - $20. Because I've been on the position where $20 is the difference between eating today or not, and it's terrifying.

                    F 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • C [email protected]

                      I tell them the truth, I don't have any cash on me.

                      On the rare ocassion i do, I'll give $10 - $20. Because I've been on the position where $20 is the difference between eating today or not, and it's terrifying.

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                      wrote last edited by
                      #134

                      Yeah same, I give them money, but I don't usually carry cash.

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                      2
                      • B [email protected]

                        This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                        I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                        I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                        Its tough.

                        F This user is from outside of this forum
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                        wrote last edited by
                        #135

                        I give to the obviously mentally impaired ones the most. The last person I gave a 20 to looked straight through me as he talked to god. There is only so much you can do. I know it sucks.

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                        • U [email protected]

                          thanks for bringing some kindness to this thread. i’ve been meaning to go to the bank to get a bunch of fivers to hand out.

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                          wrote last edited by
                          #136

                          Rest easy knowing you're doing your part, perhaps even more than that. Thanks, kitten! 😁❤️

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • B [email protected]

                            This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                            I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                            I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                            Its tough.

                            A This user is from outside of this forum
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                            wrote last edited by
                            #137

                            My brother has told me many times before that giving them money ain't gonna do nothing because that's money that they can use for drugs if they're addicted. He says buying them food is better.

                            As messed up as it is, kinda gotta agree, especially since zi don't know who's an addict and who's not.

                            I normally ignore them because I don't keep physical cash on me unless I'm making an as discrete as possible purchase. It may sound kinda cruel, but I find it easy for me to just ignore them and pretend they don't exist. Don't know whether that's more of a personality thing with me or because of my autism already making me less likely to wanna deal with people in general.

                            T 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • B [email protected]

                              This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                              I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                              I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                              Its tough.

                              dan1101@lemmy.worldD This user is from outside of this forum
                              dan1101@lemmy.worldD This user is from outside of this forum
                              [email protected]
                              wrote last edited by
                              #138

                              Say "Sorry can't help right now", and keep walking.

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                              • A [email protected]

                                My brother has told me many times before that giving them money ain't gonna do nothing because that's money that they can use for drugs if they're addicted. He says buying them food is better.

                                As messed up as it is, kinda gotta agree, especially since zi don't know who's an addict and who's not.

                                I normally ignore them because I don't keep physical cash on me unless I'm making an as discrete as possible purchase. It may sound kinda cruel, but I find it easy for me to just ignore them and pretend they don't exist. Don't know whether that's more of a personality thing with me or because of my autism already making me less likely to wanna deal with people in general.

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                                wrote last edited by
                                #139

                                My name is not "hey mister" so I don't think it's rude to ignore. Especially since they're going to give you a line about having to get gas to visit their kid. Let's skip the lying and get right to the point.

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                                • B [email protected]

                                  This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                                  I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                                  I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                                  Its tough.

                                  H This user is from outside of this forum
                                  H This user is from outside of this forum
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                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #140

                                  Been there done that. You never, ever know what’s the story behind a beggar. If I have and feel like it and I’m not in a rush I give. This is a fucked up world.

                                  A 1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • K [email protected]

                                    This isn’t the best approach necessarily, but it’s a feel-good thing: If they’re intercepting me as I go to a store, I refuse to give money, but offer to buy them something to eat inside (or whatever else they need). I hold to those promises and they’re generally grateful.

                                    I also sometimes give money if someone isn’t actively accosting about it. It’s down to what I can afford, too.

                                    R This user is from outside of this forum
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                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #141

                                    This is what I did when I used to work downtown and encounter them frequently. They usually tell you why they want money... usually food, but sometimes a bus ticket or gas. I always say I don't have or won't give you cash but let's go and I'll buy you what you need. More than half of them would give up and walk away when they realized you wouldn't just give them cash. Never ended buying any gas or a bus ticket, but I did buy quite a few meals and even groceries a couple times. Most were incredibly appreciative.

                                    T 1 Reply Last reply
                                    1
                                    • B [email protected]

                                      This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                                      I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                                      I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                                      Its tough.

                                      muziriyaolili@lemmy.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
                                      muziriyaolili@lemmy.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
                                      [email protected]
                                      wrote last edited by [email protected]
                                      #142

                                      I once experienced , in my 22. I gave out about 10 dol , then got keeping asked (i was too shy to reject!) so at last i gave out 50 dol, all what i took from school my college.
                                      bad grammar sry

                                      muziriyaolili@lemmy.worldM W samus12345@sh.itjust.worksS 3 Replies Last reply
                                      1
                                      • muziriyaolili@lemmy.worldM [email protected]

                                        I once experienced , in my 22. I gave out about 10 dol , then got keeping asked (i was too shy to reject!) so at last i gave out 50 dol, all what i took from school my college.
                                        bad grammar sry

                                        muziriyaolili@lemmy.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
                                        muziriyaolili@lemmy.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
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                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #143

                                        very bad 😕

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                                        0
                                        • B [email protected]

                                          This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can't be giving out 20's to everyone who asks.

                                          I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say "oh no, I donate to services that help the needy" because that person isn't necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.

                                          I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to "get rid of them" but im not supporting that at all.

                                          Its tough.

                                          L This user is from outside of this forum
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                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #144

                                          If I am not in a position to give i look the person in the eye, smile apologetically and say, “no, sorry.” I try not to ignore them and i am never rude. No one has ever reacted badly.

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