Panhandlers

[Mario Sports Mix]

A real panhandler wants money from you so they can purchase food and other items to support themselves
A fake panhandler wants money so they can purchase drugs, alcohol and other bad addictions
An honest panhandler wants money to support their bad addictions (such as drugs or alcohol) but they're honest about it

So back in November I was walking to school and along the way I came across a panhandler who wanted $2 for a burger. I acted like I didn't have enough money, but he was on a bike and said "check your wallet". I got so uncomfortable that I ended up giving him $20 because it was all I had and I wanted him to leave. I wasn't physically harmed that time, but I feel like if I just left him alone and walked away he would do s*** with me.

In addition, I left off a few options because they seemed redunant. I felt like nobody would vote for them because they involved being nice to fake panhandlers, and rude to real/honest panhandlers

 

[Everyday Luma]

Be nice to real ones. Ignore the fake ones. Ignore the honest ones too because it won't be helping them if you give them money.

 

[Toad And Yoshi]

Be nice to real ones. Ignore the fake ones. Ignore the honest ones too because it won't be helping them if you give them money.

^^^This

 

[RafalRib]

Be nice to real ones. Ignore the fake ones. Ignore the honest ones too because it won't be helping them if you give them money.

^^^This

^^^^^^This

 

[SuperZambezi]

I stopped giving money a long time ago. I only offer food or water that I have on hand. You'd be surprised (and really, really saddened) to see how many people are outright disappointed that they are getting food (!!) or turn my food down (!!!).

 

[Everyday Luma]

I stopped giving money a long time ago. I only offer food or water that I have on hand. You'd be surprised (and really, really saddened) to see how many people are outright disappointed that they are getting food (!!) or turn my food down (!!!).

I usually give out food as well.

 

[Troll]

I used to live in the suburbs and whenever I went downtown I'd always give money to homeless who asked for it. That mentality changed when I moved downtown and it was everyday that someone would ask me for change.

My advice would be not to give them money, even if they are "real" or "honest". Also, never open your wallet near a panhandler. Just say you don't have any money and walk away; lie if you have to.

 

[SpiderStaryu]

I live in New York City. There are tons of panhandlers asking for money. When people approach me, I simply say, "Sorry, no", and that's it. If they bug me further, I either lie and say I don't have money or I tell them I'm in a hurry, which is usually true lol

I am not rich by any means, so I don't have money to spare. Also, no shade, but the huge majority of the time, these panhandlers are approaching people for money to buy drugs/alcohol; at least that's the case where I live. These people usually approach people who look young and/or naive, which is something I definitely have picked up on since I was younger. Another reason I don't give them a cent lol

 

[cookieboy17]

It'd be great to be nice and give people help who need it, but it's smarter to just not give panhandlers anything when they ask. I don't. Like Matt said it's potentially dangerous. There's other ways to perform acts of charity if you want to

 

[TwilaTheSun]

I had no money for food for a while, and since McDonald's was the cheapest thing i could afford that was nearby, i ended up having to panhandle to keep myself supported. Some folks would be nice enough to outright get food, which i accepted happily.

So i would say ask first what the panhandler wants. Ask them if they want food or clothes, or just basic living necessities and buy that for them. If they're being cagey about it or if they're asking for alcohol money, don't give it to them. Be kind, but smart at the same time.

 

[deadlyximpulse]

If i had the extra money on me then yea, I would most likely give them the money. Another route I'm going to consider taking is buying the food for them so I know that they are going to eat and not spend the money on drugs or whatever.