What is your protocol for interacting with homeless people?

[Spinluck]

First, I'd like to say I don't judge either way and think people have the right to feel comfortable on their own time when minding their own business. I just wanted to see how other people approach this as I've gotten some interesting answers and perspectives.

I made the choice that if I have the time or some cash/change on me that I'll unconditionally extent a hand in some way. Yeah, they can have an addiction, yeah they might be manipulative, yeah perhaps their homelessness is their fault, yeah I've gotten yelled at and called a liar when unable to help, yeah I don't REALLY get anything in return besides an inflated sense of conceited fake altruism, and yeah they don't always spend it well. One thing I do know is that they are in a situation and unlike me they have no one to turn to for help and having a home doesn't mean I spend my money any better or don't have addictions and bad habits of my own. They have no one in most cases and I think that's the biggest difference between us. I think it's good to find a reason everyday to respect humanity and human dignity again. This doesn't mean everytime I extend a hand but when I can I try my best.

Recently, I've been thinking about this a lot, we are all judgmental people at times to some extent. We do our best to combat snap judgement out of decency but not everyone wins this battle and some choose not to fight it all together.

 

[Telaso]

I avoid them as much as possible. I always do end up giving money for food if they have kids with them though. It really breaks my heart when children are punished for their parents mistakes.

 

[Exellus]

Some people may legit need help, but there's also scam artists and people just looking for drug money.

Just avoid them.

 

[Goldfishking]

Treat them like human beings, just be honest with them.

 

[PanzerKraken]

 

[Strangelove_77]

i give them what change I can grab from my pocket. If it's just pennies I'll through some dimes or a quarter. The reason I do this is that there are a lot of homeless people around where I live and Im always walking somewhere that they're usually at. I give a little to each one if I can instead of just one person.
I've never thought of what they do with it. Not for a second. I just don't care. It's your money now, do what you want.

 

[El_TigroX]

If someone asks for money for food, I will offer to go in a place and get them something - I do it every now and then.

I gave cash a couple times, only to realize it was a scam, so I just don't do that any more.

If someone looks disturbed, I will avoid.

 

[Ikuu]

Ignore them.

 

[Spinluck]

Scam artist, what kind of garbage person would fake being homeless for money?

 

[Chivalry]

I ignore them, just like I ignore all other people.

 

[John Rabbit]

I typically don't interact with them at all.

If I do, I never give them cash directly. I'll either buy them something or give them a bottle of water.

 

[Elderly Parrot]

I always carry two dollars on me and pretend they are like legends of the hidden temple guards.

 

[Exellus]

Scam artist, what kind of garbage person would fake being homeless for money?

Click to shrink...

Uhhhh, a lot. I know a girl from college who would do that on weekends. Made like $100 for a couple hours each weekend.

 

[kittens]

Kindness, openness, and careful boundaries.

 

[flyingman]

I buy food if its a kid or kid with mom only something.

 

[samoscratch]

I avoid them as much as possible. I always do end up giving money for food if they have kids with them though. It really breaks my heart when children are punished for their parents mistakes.

Click to shrink...

Just because you're homeless doesn't mean you were necessarily irresponsible.

 

[tangeu]

Going about my day I'll keep walking. In the grander scheme of things I donate time/money to shelters and assistance programs.

 

[Deleted member 4367]

I treat them like human beings and ignore them.

 

[Z-Beat]

Scam artist, what kind of garbage person would fake being homeless for money?

Click to shrink...

A lot? I saw a dude outside the library with a sign and cup and on my way out I saw him pull out a smartphone

 

[Spinluck]

If someone asks for money for food, I will offer to go in a place and get them something - I do it every now and then.

I gave cash a couple times, only to realize it was a scam, so I just don't do that any more.

If someone looks disturbed, I will avoid.

Click to shrink...

When I do give out cash it is usually $5 tops as I don't carry a lot of cash. But back when I volunteered at a shelter I learned that hot meals were usually better. It's just, not a lot of people have that time.

 

[capitalCORN]

Give them their space unless they want to chat.

 

[Ensorcell]

I tell them "Get a job, you lazy bum!" and throw a penny at them.

Spoiler

I ignore them like all other strangers.

 

[Torpedo Vegas]

I don't see them too often and then when you do you only drive past them.

 

[The Doomed One]

There are no homeless where I live, but the last time I was in London a couple of months ago I was passing by a homeless guy and he asked for a cigarette. I had 3 left in a pack and gave them to him. Close by was a McDonald's, so I went in, bought a cheeseburger and fries and brought it back to him.
He was very grateful.

 

[Strat]

"I only carry debit" because it's true, otherwise I ignore them.

When I was a kid I went to a Leafs game and as we were leaving a homeless guy approach my mom and asked for money, which she said she didn't have, so he grabbed my jacket and pulled me back yelling "Please! I have no home! I have no money!" and I remember just going "I'm 8! I live with my parents!" as my mom pulled my jacket from his grip and pulled me away.

 

[Riskbreaker]

Ignore.

Back in '07, after giving a homeless person a fiver and then watching them come into Starbucks to charge their iPhone, I have not given a homeless person anything since. That shit was infuriating.

 

[LL_Decitrig]

Distrust of the homeless is really the cruellest of ironies. These are people living hand to mouth but people are sniffing at their addictions and using that as an excuse to disengage.

My autistic adult kid has spent many years in hospitals so they have more than a little insight into what drives people down. This is an exceptionally bright and insightful person who is keenly aware that without a strong and supportive family they might have ended up on the streets. This, my own child, is the person who has taught me how to notice the homeless and how to approach someone with respect, share a little time with them, and offer money and any other help I can. If we're with the dog, a gentle greyhound, we introduce her to them and let them interact. Dogs don't look down their noses at you (except in the sense that she's a greyhound so she literally has no choice.)

 

[BarryFishFinger]

I acknowledge their existence if they speak to me, I'm not going to just completely ignore them. That would be rude. Beyond that I don't interact, although I was in McDonald's the other day and a homeless guy sidled up to me and politely asked if I'd buy him a coffee so I bought him a coffee and a sausage McMuffin meal, om nom.

Edit; reminds me of this amusing story. Me and a couple of guys I work with were stood outside a pub having a drink in the sun and a few homeless guys were coming up asking for change and we said no sorry, as you do. Then another homeless guys comes up and asks for change so we say no, sorry and then he says "Well perhaps if you didn't spend so much money on drink you'd have some fucking money to give to me" and then stalks off in disgust. Props for the audacity I suppose. Made us laugh anyway.

 

[Heromanz]

I just treat of like people you know. There is no protocol.

 

[Spinluck]

There are no homeless where I live, but the last time I was in London a couple of months ago I was passing by a homeless guy and he asked for a cigarette. I had 3 left in a pack and gave them to him. Close by was a McDonald's, so I went in, bought a cheeseburger and fries and brought it back to him.
He was very grateful.

Click to shrink...

That's dope dude.

 

[capitalCORN]

I know just treat of like people you know. There is no product call

Click to shrink...

Okay, dude, no disrespect, protocol.

 

[Mozendo]

Treat them like human beings, just be honest with them.

Click to shrink...

Yup.

If homeless people approach me and ask for food I tend give it to them if there's any restaurants/grocery stores, I stopped giving cash since panhandling (scammers) was incredibly common in Downtown Boston.

Wish adult homeless shelters (at least the ones I've lived near) could get more funding to provide better services.

 

[Thordinson]

I made the choice that if I have the time or some cash/change on me that I'll unconditionally extent a hand in some way. Yeah, they can have an addiction, yeah they might be manipulative, yeah perhaps their homelessness is their fault, yeah I've gotten yelled at and called a liar when unable to help, yeah I don't REALLY get anything in return besides an inflated sense of conceited fake altruism, and yeah they don't always spend it well. One thing I do know is that they are in a situation and unlike me they have no one to turn to for help and having a home doesn't mean I spend my money any better or don't have addictions and bad habits of my own. They have no one in most cases and I think that's the biggest difference between us. I think it's good to find a reason everyday to respect humanity and human dignity again. This doesn't mean everytime I extend a hand but when I can I try my best.

Click to shrink...

I don't think this is fake altruism. It's altruism if by altruism we use the definition of an unselfish act to help others. As you are not thinking solely of yourself, it isn't selfish.

As for me, I give them money or meals when I can. I make sure and take note that one bad day and I can end up in the same place they are. It gives me perspective as well as making sure my empathy never fades. I volunteer at a shelter, a food bank, and a food pantry so I give back in other ways as well.

 

[Deleted member 11985]

I offer to buy food, but I don't give out money.

 

[LL_Decitrig]

Ignore.

Back in '07, after giving a homeless person a fiver and then watching them come into Starbucks to charge their iPhone, I have not given a homeless person anything since. That shit was infuriating.

Click to shrink...

They're homeless. Why can't they have a phone without people judging them?

 

[The Doomed One]

That's dope dude.

Click to shrink...

Thanks.
I felt so bad for those people. It was early May, it was really cold, and it saddened me to see so many people sleeping on stone pavements.

 

[Thordinson]

They're homeless. Why can't they have a phone without people judging them?

Click to shrink...

Exactly. How are they supposed to escape homelessness without a way of communication for jobs, services, help, etc?

 

[NineConsonants]

If somebody asks for money I'll buy them food. If they take up my offer for food, I don't mind letting them stock up a good bit.

 

[cakely]

After years and years of experience, I just try and avoid those encounters.

If someone directly asks for money in a one-on-one situation, I say "sorry, man". If it's a guy begging to a group on a train car, I don't even make eye contact. I always feel bad.

I used to give a dollar, but it's like identifying yourself as a mark and too many of those interactions got weird fast. Once, a few years ago I walked into a CVS with guy, he loaded up on sundries and I paid the bill. I probably wouldn't do that again.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I avoid them as much as possible. I always do end up giving money for food if they have kids with them though. It really breaks my heart when children are punished for their parents mistakes.

Click to shrink...

What the fuck is this judgemental bullshit?

 

[Lmo2017]

Try to avoid. I tend to attract crazy people in general, the homeless take it to another level. One too many bad interactions.

 

[BigHatPaul]

Walk away as quickly as possible and ignore.

 

[BringBackSonics]

I treat them as I would anyone else that is a stranger, I don't try to walk around them or anything. But I also don't stop and have a conversation.

 

[Aygomyownroad]

Treat them like human beings

 

[Riskbreaker]

They're homeless. Why can't they have a phone without people judging them?

Click to shrink...

If you had 600 bucks to get a first edition iPhone in 2007, you weren't homeless, you were a scumbag.

Or you could be sanctimonious. That works too.

 

[Tom Nook]

Ignore them, no eye contact.

 

[Deleted member 2109]

I usually only have cards on me so I just tell them that and say sorry. If I have money on me I'll give a couple bucks or something. I don't care what they do with it.

 

[BLEEN]

Look straight ahead. But on the rare occasion I don't, I'll give some change. Hell, I've asked them for change before because, honestly, I'm prob. broker than them on any given day lol

I usually only have cards on me so I just tell that and say sorry. If I have money on me I'll give a couple bucks or something. I don't care what they do with it.

Click to shrink...

They've literally asked me if they can come with me to the ATM then LOL
I'm like, nah brah, that's now how this is supposed to go. Good day.

 

[Cat Party]

I do not hand out money, mostly because I just don't carry cash. Also because there are many advocates who say that handing out money doesn't help (not all advocates say this).

But if someone asks me for money, I always look at them and respond verbally. It's literally the least I can do.

 

[Meows]

if we're near a restaurant, I'll buy them a meal.

Otherwise though, I don't carry cash anymore so there isn't a whole lot I can help them with. I can direct them to nearby homeless shelters and neighborhood dinners.