I feel like most panhandlers are frauds, like the Pancoasts (the "affluent beggars"). I have given money on occasion to people I felt were truly needy, but so many out there begging are not.

I say some combo of "sorry not today" or "sorry I don't have cash". Unlike others, I have gotten a rude response from that. It's happened from "the regulars" who I'd see a lot and always say "sorry not today" and once or twice someone has said "bitch you always say that". Which then the next time I see them I don't say anything, just a terse smile and keep walking. It did stop that one person from asking me anymore, so there's that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They are asking for money because that is their job

You do the same thing everyday with your employer or your clients.

Wrong. They are asking for money because they don't have the kind of job I have. The kind with pay.

Their job does get pay. They stand on a street corner asking for money. That is how they are employed. Do you think you are better than they are because you have a structured environment in which to perform it.

NP. Yes, I most certainly do.

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like he should be in an institution. What kind of dickensian society leaves folks that are mentally ill, handicapped, with cold stiff finger ride it out in the corner from meal to meal? Or housing and disability? Is this not an option? WHY is this man begging? You should call the mayor for this scandal to be investigated.

A democracy is the kind of society who does this.

Until we can force people to take medications or use therapy to treat their illnesses, we will have beggars.

For people who are too sick to work, begging is effective. The more sympathetic they are, the more money they can get.
I give to beggars as well as support charities. I grew up poor and have family members disabled by mental illness and brain damage caused by cancer. Either if them could be begging without our constant support and help.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never give to beggars in the US, give me a break!!! Last time I offered to get someone food, I came out of 7/11 and they were on the cell phone. If you want to see real poverty, go to India. I gave money to people living in cardboard boxes, where they were actually poor and not living on the street for fun. I will never give Americans a penny!! Homeless here have so many options and are too lazy to get a job or find resources.

Homeless people in the US are given phones so they can search for jobs and keep in contact with doctors, caseworkers, and family. I was very grateful that my mentally ill brother was given a phone. It’s a lifeline, not a luxury.

It’s more than the people on the streets of calcutta get. I’m not giving to beggars in this country, give me a break!

Sounds like he should be in an institution. What kind of dickensian society leaves folks that are mentally ill, handicapped, with cold stiff finger ride it out in the corner from meal to meal? Or housing and disability? Is this not an option? WHY is this man begging? You should call the mayor for this scandal to be investigated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never give to beggars in the US, give me a break!!! Last time I offered to get someone food, I came out of 7/11 and they were on the cell phone. If you want to see real poverty, go to India. I gave money to people living in cardboard boxes, where they were actually poor and not living on the street for fun. I will never give Americans a penny!! Homeless here have so many options and are too lazy to get a job or find resources.

Many are mentally ill. But hey...if it helps you feel better about yourself, keep believing that.

That’s not my problem and there are resources for mentally ill people. If they can stand on a corner for 8 hours they can go get a J.O.B

This. An able-bodied man or woman with the ability to panhandle all day long can clearly handle a physically-taxing job.

The issue is not that mentally ill people can’t lift a box or push a broom. The issue is whether they can operate in the social space of a workplace. Imagine a fast food worker who does not bathe or change their clothing for months. Or the store clerk who spontaneously begins arguing with imaginary enemies. People are fired for being mentally ill long before they become homeless.

Well, a lot of them can't do manual labor 8 hours a day either. Most of them aren't standing 8 hours a day -- they are maybe standing an hour or two, during the commute rush hour, and are sitting or lying down the rest of it. And the ones I see aren't even standing very well -- they are barely upright. Last week I gave a couple dollars to a guy in a wheelchair -- he dropped his cup of money on the sidewalk and it all spilled out and he was trying to reach it from his wheelchair with his fingers so stiff they could barely hold the cup. Everyone was ignoring him so I picked up all the money for him and then gave him a couple more bucks. Most of them have physical disabilities in addition to mental illness. But I don't typically give money directly to panhandlers either -- I give a bunch of money to the food bank and then to a couple different shelters. I don't blame anyone that gives directly to panhandlers, but I also don't blame anyone that prefers to give to organizations that can help people in a more systemic manner.

If I have cash I give it. Usually I don’t.

I am saddened by the lack of compassion I’ve seen on this thread. People really have no clue about mental illness - and are so fortunate they it doesn’t touch their lives.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Begging/panhandling is strictly illegal in the Metro. If you see someone doing it on a train, in a station or tunnel, please call metro police.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can honestly state that I have never in my 46 years ever given money to a beggar. Fvck them. I grew up in extreme poverty and if they think I will hand over my hard earned money they are clueless.

I have a similar background but I am a softie and always have a roll of dollar bills for beggars.

There but for the grace of god go I.

+1

Anonymous wrote:I can honestly state that I have never in my 46 years ever given money to a beggar. Fvck them. I grew up in extreme poverty and if they think I will hand over my hard earned money they are clueless.

That's one way to learn from your past. Another is to say, "I've been there and I know how hard it is. Here's some help, and I hope you make it out of poverty. Don't give up -- I did it, and you can, too."

“I’m sorry; I can’t.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They are asking for money because that is their job

You do the same thing everyday with your employer or your clients.

Wrong. They are asking for money because they don't have the kind of job I have. The kind with pay.

Their job does get pay. They stand on a street corner asking for money. That is how they are employed. Do you think you are better than they are because you have a structured environment in which to perform it.

I assume you’re joking or trolling. You do understand what an exchange of value is, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never give to beggars in the US, give me a break!!! Last time I offered to get someone food, I came out of 7/11 and they were on the cell phone. If you want to see real poverty, go to India. I gave money to people living in cardboard boxes, where they were actually poor and not living on the street for fun. I will never give Americans a penny!! Homeless here have so many options and are too lazy to get a job or find resources.

Many are mentally ill. But hey...if it helps you feel better about yourself, keep believing that.

That’s not my problem and there are resources for mentally ill people. If they can stand on a corner for 8 hours they can go get a J.O.B

This. An able-bodied man or woman with the ability to panhandle all day long can clearly handle a physically-taxing job.

The issue is not that mentally ill people can’t lift a box or push a broom. The issue is whether they can operate in the social space of a workplace. Imagine a fast food worker who does not bathe or change their clothing for months. Or the store clerk who spontaneously begins arguing with imaginary enemies. People are fired for being mentally ill long before they become homeless.

I am 43, and since the time I've been going places without an adult (age 12?) I've always done the same thing.

"No, sorry" without breaking stride. I've never gotten negative blowback from this.