Homeless Hellos

[Anonymous]

When we go to church, there are always homeless camped out at the entrance asking for money, perhaps being helpful directing traffic, that sort of situation.

I usually nod or say hello, but don’t give them money. Others seem to strike up conversations with them, and I was wondering how that comes about? Do the know them from volunteering, do they always give money, what happens if they chat and then don’t give money? At one time I tried to give homeless food certificates or similar, but they got angry at me for wasting their time — but that was not in front of a church so maybe it’s a different environment?

[Anonymous]

The are opportunists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The are opportunists.

The people making conversation with the homeless? What is their angle?

[Anonymous]

They are hoping you’ll have change on you since they have collection at service. Who even carries cash anymore other times?

[Anonymous]

Homeless people directing traffic? Sounds awesome.

[Anonymous]

Our church makes care packages to give to homeless people— a ziplock with snacks, water, band aids, a list of resources, etc. You can hand those out.

[Anonymous]

I sometimes take lunch bags of food for the homeless around my office and often wind up chatting with people when I give them to them. I don’t always have them, but I often stay continue to chat with folks on other occasions. Same is true witb a few of the homeless people near our church (although I’m not usually giving out food there directly since our church does it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sometimes take lunch bags of food for the homeless around my office and often wind up chatting with people when I give them to them. I don’t always have them, but I often stay continue to chat with folks on other occasions. Same is true witb a few of the homeless people near our church (although I’m not usually giving out food there directly since our church does it).

I can definitely see making conversation when you give them something; have you ever had a chat empty handed? How did it go?

[Anonymous]

In our case, we are on a first name basis with some of the regulars in our neighborhood because they are delighted by our dogs who now pull to go up to them for pets. We chat and give them some cash sometimes but not always.

[Anonymous]

In Italy and in Greece, and probably elsewhere, it's commonplace to see able-bodied young women with babies begging on the front steps of churches regularly visited by tourists. The beggars are clearly professional mendicants targeting people who, by their proximity to a house of worship, are more likely to be in a charitable frame of mind when accosted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our case, we are on a first name basis with some of the regulars in our neighborhood because they are delighted by our dogs who now pull to go up to them for pets. We chat and give them some cash sometimes but not always.

Would they be as friendly if you didn’t have history of giving money? Did you give them money when you first encountered them?

[Anonymous]

Homeless people are ignored by society in the deepest ways, and also in the most shallow ways. Sometimes part of keeping sanity is being acknowledged as a person. By saying hi and having someone say hi back.

I live in a city with a lot of homeless people, in a neighborhood within that city with a lot of homeless people. If you observe and interact with this population often enough, you learn you can have a casual light conversation with them, or warn them in the morning there are cops around the corner, or compliment their dog, or whatever, and it helps their mental health.

Imagine everyone around you completely ignoring your existence. Imagine they only acknowledge it to make sure not to get too close, or to comment to the person they're walking with that you smell, or that the police should do something about you.

[Anonymous]

I’ve often had people who appear to be homeless speak to me. I speak back. Occasionally we veer into conversations—if we become more familiar with each other. No money involved— just being neighborly.

If the church has programs that serve the people camped out nearby, it’s likely that some of them have gotten to know each other well enough to have regular conversations.

[Anonymous]

I notice beggars everywhere. I just ignore them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our case, we are on a first name basis with some of the regulars in our neighborhood because they are delighted by our dogs who now pull to go up to them for pets. We chat and give them some cash sometimes but not always.

Would they be as friendly if you didn’t have history of giving money? Did you give them money when you first encountered them?

I think so. I pass tons of pandhandlers and don't engage with most, certainly don't let my dogs go up to them. It’s been a long time but there had to be something about them initially that made me think they were safe and nice and I could chat with them and let them love on the dogs. They are kind/unobtrusive with other people passing. There's obviously some transactional element and a huge power differential but I like to think they also like that we know them by name, ask how it's going, if they're staying warm/cool, if they need anything etc and treat them normally and not like lepers. Palming a 5 dollar bill here and there and spending a few minutes chatting is no skin off my back and they frequently say we (mostly the dogs!) Have made their day.