Beggars - how do you handle?

[Anonymous]

Whether in the street or on the Metro, how do you / should you handle panhandlers? Do you give them money, talk to them, avert your eyes and ignore?

I find I am inconsistent.

[Anonymous]

Ignore. If they politely say hello or good evening, I will do the same. But otherwise I just go about my business.

[Anonymous]

I look them in the eyes and say "I'm sorry, sir or ma'am, not today." I have never had unpleasant confrontation using that approach.

[Anonymous]

I just say sorry, I only have plastic...which is usually true anyway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just say sorry, I only have plastic...which is usually true anyway

This. I rarely carry cash.

[Anonymous]

I ask them to sell me their soul for twenty dollars. This almost never fails to generate an angry, profanity laced reply, which shows you the type of person you're REALLY dealing with, behind that panhandlers smile.

On the very remote chance someone ever reacts with a polite "no thank you" or some other deferential but courteous reply, I'd actually give them $20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ignore. If they politely say hello or good evening, I will do the same. But otherwise I just go about my business.

Yep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ask them to sell me their soul for twenty dollars. This almost never fails to generate an angry, profanity laced reply, which shows you the type of person you're REALLY dealing with, behind that panhandlers smile.

On the very remote chance someone ever reacts with a polite "no thank you" or some other deferential but courteous reply, I'd actually give them $20.

No, it shows the world who you are. They are not asking for money because they are nice. They're asking for money because they're broke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ask them to sell me their soul for twenty dollars. This almost never fails to generate an angry, profanity laced reply, which shows you the type of person you're REALLY dealing with, behind that panhandlers smile.

On the very remote chance someone ever reacts with a polite "no thank you" or some other deferential but courteous reply, I'd actually give them $20.

No, it shows the world who you are. They are not asking for money because they are nice. They're asking for money because they're broke.

How old are you and where do you live, PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ask them to sell me their soul for twenty dollars. This almost never fails to generate an angry, profanity laced reply, which shows you the type of person you're REALLY dealing with, behind that panhandlers smile.

On the very remote chance someone ever reacts with a polite "no thank you" or some other deferential but courteous reply, I'd actually give them $20.

Jesus, toying with the homeless seems pretty mean-spirited.

[Anonymous]

Just don’t be the stereotypical suited white man (or his white woman counterpart) from Reagan’s America who says “get a job.”

[Anonymous]

If I have cash —which is rare— I will give. More often if I have leftovers from a restaurant I know I won’t eat I’ll give it to a homeless person I see on my way home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ask them to sell me their soul for twenty dollars. This almost never fails to generate an angry, profanity laced reply, which shows you the type of person you're REALLY dealing with, behind that panhandlers smile.

On the very remote chance someone ever reacts with a polite "no thank you" or some other deferential but courteous reply, I'd actually give them $20.

No, it shows the world who you are. They are not asking for money because they are nice. They're asking for money because they're broke.

Or need drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I have cash —which is rare— I will give. More often if I have leftovers from a restaurant I know I won’t eat I’ll give it to a homeless person I see on my way home.

Barf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ask them to sell me their soul for twenty dollars. This almost never fails to generate an angry, profanity laced reply, which shows you the type of person you're REALLY dealing with, behind that panhandlers smile.

On the very remote chance someone ever reacts with a polite "no thank you" or some other deferential but courteous reply, I'd actually give them $20.

This is obviously the worst possible approach you can take, or would be if you weren’t obviously trolling.