When you see a homeless person do you give them anything like food/cigs or $ or do you tell them to scram and go get a job?

$

I give them somethig about half of the time. Back when i lived in L.A i used to see these homeless people downtown. I used to think lowly of them till i found out they were Vietnam Vets

I give them $

Even if they just end up using it for booze or something, if it gives them some sort of happiness (even if only for a short time) then it's all good.

I give money and food. I have the hardest time turning someone away. I will always feed someone. I don't always give money but when I do I give to people who have absolutely nothing but the clothes on their backs. Even if they are going to buy booze or do drugs, who am I to deny them the little bit of pleasure and the momentary freedom $10 bucks might buy em?

Nothing beats seeing the thankfulness in someone's eyes as you hand them something that's nearly impossible for them to acheive on their own.

In Detroit I see the homeless everyday.
When they ask me for money, I ask them what for.

If it's food, then I take them to the Deli and buy them a sandwich or soup.

Nikster and I said the same thing

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Great minds think alike

I don't carry cash much, but I've been known to buy a homeless person some food. I understand the arguments about not reinforcing antisocial behaviors and whatnot, but these aren't dogs we're trying to train, they are people. If a person is in enough need, for whatever reason, to ask a stranger for help, I have a hard time turning them down.

Slave2daGroove said:

I often offer to buy people food and when they agree I buy them whatever they want. When they say they'd rather have the money, then I know they aren't hungry and they get nothing.

One time I was approached by a homeless man while waiting on the offramp to the freeway and he asked me if I could spare some money. I dug into my pocket and gave him almost $2 in change. He said "I don't accept change, only bills". I snatched the change right out of his hand and told him "Then you get nothing". It's obvious that some people are pulling scams but you can tell the truly homeless when you see em. Those people I always give to.

Although I have given them a lot of money I have seen the same homeless man on the side of a freeway exit for over a decade and it got me to thinking if 100 cars gave ole boy a buck a day he could be making $3000 per month on average...
[This message was edited Thu Apr 17 10:27:24 PDT 2003 by pejman]

pejman said:

I once saw a homeless lady whip out a huge wad of bills. Certainly more money than I've ever carried in my pockets.

I used to give them money. Not anymore. Now I feed them.

Supernova said:

Because of possible drug purchases?

pejman said:

Supernova likes to try out her recipies on unsuspecting people.

pejman said:

Yep.

pejman said:

Yep.

Lleena said:

9s is a bad influence on you.

pejman said:

I usually tell them that I don't have any cash on me. It's not that I don't want to help them--I simply suspect that many of them are trying to get money for alcohol or other drugs.

However, one time I had a $2 bill in my pocket (for those of you outside the USA, the $2 bill is rarely used here), and for whatever reason, I offered it to a man who approached me and asked for money so he could eat. He complained that it wasn't enough and that he needed at least $5. What an ingrate!

matt said:

Ingrate is right! The nerve of him. You should have told him beggars can't be choosers and offered him a three dollar bill. Frikin Chump. I tell homeless people sorry but I need my money for me I can't hand it out or I will be broke.

Supernova said:

You made him eat one of your deep fried dumplings didn't you? He hasn't been seen since.

I give them love!

I don't care what they are, what is a five dollar bill!

sag10 said:

Exactly. I don't question their motives. If they are using it for drugs- that is on them. If they really don't need it- that is on them. I can walk away every time with the knowledge that I helped someone. Whether it is true is up to them.

I don't ask them what they will use the money for. Anybody can become homeless due to unfortunate circumstances. Here in the U.K many homeless people sell a magazine called the Big Issue. I buy that. The homeless person gets to keep the money. I think it works very well.

I dont give em anything!! I did at one time but

I have my own family to support. I dont work

to support those that cant get jobs! I leave that

to the people that feel sorry for them!

I do give them money if I have any on me to give.

When I lived in the Village in NYC, there was a man who lived in a box on the corner of my block. I would see him everyday when I would walk to the subway. I would buy him food and bring him paperbacks to read and I'd stop and visit with him and talk about books whenever I could. I think he appreciated the time spent talking and visiting with him even more than the food. He was a very intelligent, kind man who unfortunately let drugs get the better of him and his life.

It was very difficult emotionally living in NYC and seeing so many homeless people every day, and not really being able to do very much to help them in any significant way. I didn't have much money myself when I lived out there, but when I would see someone living in an old box, or wearing a garbage bag clothes, I could NOT not do SOMETHING to help that person in some way. They are PEOPLE with hearts and souls and histories and families somewhere, and they need to know they are still VALUABLE and worthwhile. My heart really goes out to them also because for reasons I'll not go into, I relate to certain elements of their situation. And I also realize that becoming homeless can happen to ANYBODY if the circumstances are right... I thank God for the blessings I've been given and I could never not do something to help somebody out who has fallen on difficult times for whatever the reason.

Moonbeam said:

And the intent is what really counts. It all comes back in time...

depends. usually $$

I fantasize about being homeless for a week to see what it is like...

money, if i have any on me...