I've seen this said a lot, and I've never seen any evidence that "most" of them are scammers, and how you'd tell the difference between said scammer and non-scammer.
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Do you give money to homeless people?
- Thread starter PersonAndStuff
- Start date
"Hey, can I get $5 for the bus? I got off at the wrong stop."
Chances this person isn't 100% a scammer is pretty low.
I have a few times, not recently. We have had a bit of a panhandling problem tied to heroin etc, in recent years my city has gotten a bit harsher with them. We even put up these signs around hotspots:
It's a small city (greater metro is ~400k), so the homeless/beggars aren't really big in numbers, but it's enough in certain parts of town that I'm glad they put the signs up and are discouraging begging.
Unemployment pretty much being zero right now is helping as well (we have companies practically begging for people, so someone that wouldn't get a second look 5 years ago due to drugs n such are getting a job same day)
It's a small city (greater metro is ~400k), so the homeless/beggars aren't really big in numbers, but it's enough in certain parts of town that I'm glad they put the signs up and are discouraging begging.
Unemployment pretty much being zero right now is helping as well (we have companies practically begging for people, so someone that wouldn't get a second look 5 years ago due to drugs n such are getting a job same day)
Why do you suggest this? I honestly think this might just escalate a situation from begging in to some sort of Violent retaliation.
What about those sitting in doorways with dirty clothes and a dirty sleeping bag?
I've seen a ton of those, never once had a "$5 for the bus" one.
I have done it for over 20 years, hundreds of time, and as long as you are polite it will not be a problem.
I have had people follow me when I have said I have no money, tell me where atm machines are at, continue to beg me for money, and put me in a situation I felt uncomfortable....by being honest and polite they have ALWAYS moved on...
Well for once in Germany we have the scammers that try to get you to give them money by faking having broken legs. A few minutes later and they will get up, give their money to the collector and start doing the shit again. I saw that many times and it's a typicall scam and it's also a problem here. These "homeless" people don't have a choice because if they don't go begging they get hurt by their chefs.
If you can see such people here in Germany (they exist yeah but are pretty rare nowadays) I don't feel like giving them any money, because they don't have to be homeless in my country. It's their choice and we have enough help here for them. Train stations even have help for people having problems with drugs (giving them clean needles, talking to them, giving them the chance to get clean etc.)
Well, those likely aren't scammers. But, there are also plenty of panhandlers I know in my city that are scammers ie likely not homeless. You know, like the person with a sign saving up for their mothers surgery for about 3 years now.
I'm sure I have before, but I generally don't give money to people asking for money / panhandling / etc.
The link between panhandling / begging / etc and some sort of vice like drugs or liquor isn't an excuse, there's a pretty strong correlation there. A lot of people who are begging on the street are on the street because their addiction/disease keep them out of places that are there to help, or, they develop a healthy skepticism of those places as some relationship to the addiction/disease.
These are pretty common in my city, too. I politely tell them "I'm sorry but I can't help." Very rarely does someone follow up after that. I got had by one of those guys about ... 15 years ago. I don't know why I believed him, but I did, and it was my birthday so I think I was feeling "generous" or vulnerable maybe, and so I gave him $5, but he saw I had more money and he's like "Man, the train is just $8 if you gave me $3 more I could get back to where I was going..." or whatever, so I gave him $10 total. I just didn't think about it until later, he was really convincing... but just none of his story made any sense about 30 seconds later when I stopped to think about it.
I then saw him about 3 weeks later and about 10 years later still pulling the same story. I saw him giving the story to an elderly lady in the super market parking lot which was about 1,000 yards from where he gave me the story ~10 years earlier. And ... it's one thing to try to get money from me, a naive millennial, but I kinda felt bad for this lady just walking to her car, and I thought about how my grandmother always got scammed by phone scammers... so I walked up and told him to leave her alone and let her shop for groceries, and that he had talked to me 10 years ago. He turned on heel and quickly walked away.
I'd normally not do something like that, and just live and let live, but... I dunno... I saw this old lady and just thought she's probably on a fixed income and it's not right.
The link between panhandling / begging / etc and some sort of vice like drugs or liquor isn't an excuse, there's a pretty strong correlation there. A lot of people who are begging on the street are on the street because their addiction/disease keep them out of places that are there to help, or, they develop a healthy skepticism of those places as some relationship to the addiction/disease.
These are pretty common in my city, too. I politely tell them "I'm sorry but I can't help." Very rarely does someone follow up after that. I got had by one of those guys about ... 15 years ago. I don't know why I believed him, but I did, and it was my birthday so I think I was feeling "generous" or vulnerable maybe, and so I gave him $5, but he saw I had more money and he's like "Man, the train is just $8 if you gave me $3 more I could get back to where I was going..." or whatever, so I gave him $10 total. I just didn't think about it until later, he was really convincing... but just none of his story made any sense about 30 seconds later when I stopped to think about it.
I then saw him about 3 weeks later and about 10 years later still pulling the same story. I saw him giving the story to an elderly lady in the super market parking lot which was about 1,000 yards from where he gave me the story ~10 years earlier. And ... it's one thing to try to get money from me, a naive millennial, but I kinda felt bad for this lady just walking to her car, and I thought about how my grandmother always got scammed by phone scammers... so I walked up and told him to leave her alone and let her shop for groceries, and that he had talked to me 10 years ago. He turned on heel and quickly walked away.
I'd normally not do something like that, and just live and let live, but... I dunno... I saw this old lady and just thought she's probably on a fixed income and it's not right.
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When someone says they're hungry or need money for the bus sure, if I have, I'll spot them $2-3. Granted, I generally avoid my city's downtown area because you run into homeless a lot. Feels like a tax or toll every other block.
I used to get that all the time working in Boston. Someone once said that to me and I offered him a train token and he declined.
Nope - I happen to find cash in my wallet like once every 3 months and I try to get rid of that shit quick
There's a guy I see every day with a sign that says "Only need $18 more for a train ride home." It's clearly a scam, and I'm sure it works if he keeps doing it.
Nope.
Hardly see any beggars (if any) in Shanghai however when we're in South Africa I get asked about 5 times a day for money, especially when heading out at lunchtime in the city. Sometimes they even wonder into the actual coffee shops and start begging.
I used to give when i was younger but not anymore. (Though I have bought a few beggars food rarely)
Hardly see any beggars (if any) in Shanghai however when we're in South Africa I get asked about 5 times a day for money, especially when heading out at lunchtime in the city. Sometimes they even wonder into the actual coffee shops and start begging.
I used to give when i was younger but not anymore. (Though I have bought a few beggars food rarely)
No.
I've lived in a few areas where there are ALOT of homeless, and unless I know for a fact that they aren't buying meth/heroin with it, then I can't justify giving them money.
I worked retail for most of my working life, 100% of the homeless I saw outside asking for money actively came in and stole from our store (but we couldn't prove it as they knew where all of the cameras were). They also pooled the money and bought drugs at night at our location. I only knew this because I worked outside during graveyard shifts (I worked in the garden area), and I would watch them gather together, disperse, and one person would go to a car in the lot, buy drugs, walk back to the group and they would all leave. Every single night.
Even when I switched locations to a new city in my area, there was the same problem.
I feel super bad that they are homeless and addicted to drugs, but working with someone who used to hang out with the people outside my store(who was also homeless and addicted during that time) he said giving them money just fuels their habits worse and doesn't get them out.
I've lived in a few areas where there are ALOT of homeless, and unless I know for a fact that they aren't buying meth/heroin with it, then I can't justify giving them money.
I worked retail for most of my working life, 100% of the homeless I saw outside asking for money actively came in and stole from our store (but we couldn't prove it as they knew where all of the cameras were). They also pooled the money and bought drugs at night at our location. I only knew this because I worked outside during graveyard shifts (I worked in the garden area), and I would watch them gather together, disperse, and one person would go to a car in the lot, buy drugs, walk back to the group and they would all leave. Every single night.
Even when I switched locations to a new city in my area, there was the same problem.
I feel super bad that they are homeless and addicted to drugs, but working with someone who used to hang out with the people outside my store(who was also homeless and addicted during that time) he said giving them money just fuels their habits worse and doesn't get them out.
Sometimes I will give them change or a couple of dollars. It's not my fucking business what they spend it on.
I doubt that $1 in change is going to lift that person out of homelessness and they'll live happily ever after with a home and a job. If they want to spend it on whatever drug or fast food they're into, they're welcome to it.
Like I said, it's not my business. Once my money goes into their pocket it's no longer mine, it's theirs. Their choice.
I doubt that $1 in change is going to lift that person out of homelessness and they'll live happily ever after with a home and a job. If they want to spend it on whatever drug or fast food they're into, they're welcome to it.
Like I said, it's not my business. Once my money goes into their pocket it's no longer mine, it's theirs. Their choice.
I have before but I don't anymore. There's no way to tell if someone is a scammer or going to use it to buy drugs or alcohol, and I think the money would be better spent at a charity to help the homeless since those people using it would actually need it. I would give food to someone though.
Yeah - I feel like there should definitely be more homeless people in East Asia. Is their homeless infrastructure and support just that much better than America? I've been to basically all the major Asian metros (Hong Kong [even lived here for an entire summer], Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, Taiwan) and I haven't seen or noticed a single homeless person
I keep a stack of singles in my car's center console, if I drive by a seemingly homeless person begging, I will always give them a couple bucks. Who am I to judge? Even if they aren't homeless, a person brought to the humble act of begging for money (probably harder work than 90% of us do) needs it more than I do.
On top of that, I donate routinely to local charities and to my church, who uses parts of the money for disaster relief and refugee care. I have also gone to my local soup kitchen and served the homeless there, but I do not make it routine, owing to the long distance between my house and the building. It is a rewarding experience when I have gone. however.
My faith dictates that I do the above acts, as well as my humanity. Any self-professed Christian who withholds their hand from the poor, sick, and elderly and judges them is basically condemned, and it is written in every work of scripture that I am aware of for every major world religion...
On top of that, I donate routinely to local charities and to my church, who uses parts of the money for disaster relief and refugee care. I have also gone to my local soup kitchen and served the homeless there, but I do not make it routine, owing to the long distance between my house and the building. It is a rewarding experience when I have gone. however.
My faith dictates that I do the above acts, as well as my humanity. Any self-professed Christian who withholds their hand from the poor, sick, and elderly and judges them is basically condemned, and it is written in every work of scripture that I am aware of for every major world religion...
We had a week of free bus rides here not long ago, and this fucker had the balls to go to the main hub and panhandle everyone for fare money.
"spare a dollar for a bus ride home?"
"It's free this week dude"
"..."
*goes to next person*
"spare a dollar for a bus ride home?"
Never.
In Lisbon, since it started being a populate tourist city started consisting of mostly of eastern Europe "beggars" that get dropped in vans in touristic places at 7 AM and get picked by the same vans at 9 PM. I have no proof if they are legit beggars or not, but this doesn't look right.
There is a small population of Portuguese beggars and they never ask for money directly on the street, they go to the local charities for food and shelter.
In Lisbon, since it started being a populate tourist city started consisting of mostly of eastern Europe "beggars" that get dropped in vans in touristic places at 7 AM and get picked by the same vans at 9 PM. I have no proof if they are legit beggars or not, but this doesn't look right.
There is a small population of Portuguese beggars and they never ask for money directly on the street, they go to the local charities for food and shelter.
In my small town, yes. In a big town, no. Usually in a small town if someone is homeless they've lost their job or are stuck traveling and need gas money. I've noticed bigger cities is where you have more mental illness and danger in those that are homeless. Of course, this isn't completely true for all those that are homeless. Just got to go with your gut and judge if they really need help or not.
If I have spare cash on me(Which unfortunately, rarely happens because I use my card for everything) I definitely do.
Homelessness isn't as big a problem where I live as compared to other states, 150 people sleeping rough in Adelaide(https://www.dunstan.org.au/projects/adelaide-zero-project/#details) whereas I believe it's double/triple that in places like Sydney.
I also make sure to volunteer with homeless groups, which provide stuff like safe spaces, access to showers, etc.
Homelessness isn't as big a problem where I live as compared to other states, 150 people sleeping rough in Adelaide(https://www.dunstan.org.au/projects/adelaide-zero-project/#details) whereas I believe it's double/triple that in places like Sydney.
I also make sure to volunteer with homeless groups, which provide stuff like safe spaces, access to showers, etc.
I can only speak for Shanghai and Seoul. Both cities definitely have their homeless, but they tend to be less aggressive and try to stay out of sight, rather gathering recyclables and whatnot. Plus there are government run shelters.
Define homeless? Like living on the street?
In Germany it's not possible to be homeless that way without it being intended (it's a complicated situation as to how some people fall through the system that do) but it's very few, the welfare safety net is very strong so it's rare for people to live on the streets with no other choice, you will always have shelter, meals, and healthcare.
Unemployment in Germany is also among the lowest in the world, you *will* be able to get a job if you go to a job centre, plus you are supported by the state with things like healthcare.
That's why it's not particularly necessary to give money to the homeless - taxes/welfare system take care of this, but also the fact that I don't see that many, and beggars in Germany are not the same as being homeless (same as squatting culture). I maybe see one person every 2 weeks that I assume lives in mass accommodation etc. There is a lot of systems in place for people in Germany, including people coming from Eastern Europe that are members of the EU with literally nothing, drug addicts, etc, they are helped too.
In Germany it's not possible to be homeless that way without it being intended (it's a complicated situation as to how some people fall through the system that do) but it's very few, the welfare safety net is very strong so it's rare for people to live on the streets with no other choice, you will always have shelter, meals, and healthcare.
Unemployment in Germany is also among the lowest in the world, you *will* be able to get a job if you go to a job centre, plus you are supported by the state with things like healthcare.
That's why it's not particularly necessary to give money to the homeless - taxes/welfare system take care of this, but also the fact that I don't see that many, and beggars in Germany are not the same as being homeless (same as squatting culture). I maybe see one person every 2 weeks that I assume lives in mass accommodation etc. There is a lot of systems in place for people in Germany, including people coming from Eastern Europe that are members of the EU with literally nothing, drug addicts, etc, they are helped too.
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I generally try not to look or respond to them. Probablem is there are too many hustlers now who will react violently if you give them the in.
That being said, there are a few that I've given some money to. Many times you'll see regulars around. I've also gotten booze and bottled for some.
That being said, there are a few that I've given some money to. Many times you'll see regulars around. I've also gotten booze and bottled for some.
As someone who lived in small to mid size cities and now LA I can vouch on this. Barely came across homeless people growing up, happy to give them something, but moving to LA at 25 had me reassessing how to deal with it.
No, because I want them to find another way of living. If I give money, they will stay that way always.
Almost never and when I do, I prefer to give something else than money because you never know if they speak the truth about needing it for food or lodging and that you're not just financing his or her drug habit. For instance, when I was in Berkeley a homeless guy asked me to give him money so he could buy a sushi roll and I just bought the sushi roll for him instead.
Short answer: Sometimes. I like to help out when they seem like they are honest and in need, but I'm guarded about scammers.
I'm honestly more likely to give to people who don't ask than those who have some aggressive pitch. I work in New York and panhandlers are everywhere and some of them are pretty sad and some of them it's honestly a job for them.
When people specifically say they need it for food, I try to buy them a meal (which is sometimes met with gratitude and just as often mild annoyance because they aren't really hungry). But people don't just need food, and if they ask for money I don't counter-offer food. I think that's obnoxious.
I'm honestly more likely to give to people who don't ask than those who have some aggressive pitch. I work in New York and panhandlers are everywhere and some of them are pretty sad and some of them it's honestly a job for them.
When people specifically say they need it for food, I try to buy them a meal (which is sometimes met with gratitude and just as often mild annoyance because they aren't really hungry). But people don't just need food, and if they ask for money I don't counter-offer food. I think that's obnoxious.
Sometimes, in extreme cases. I typically don't give out money unless I'm in a hurry. I used to do it a lot more, but as someone who manages a non-profit working with a lot of low-income, homeless and/or foster youth - I come out of pocket for a lot of stuff. I also volunteer my time at homeless shelters quite often.
Sure when I have a few dollars. But I rarely carry around money on me. Frankly I don't care what they do with it as it's not my business how they live. If they need it to get through another smash doing whatever so be it