Poll of the Day > Do you ever give money to panhandlers?

(+) Yeah! (+)

had 3 people ask me for money yesterday and hadn't had any in a while

No.

Many of our local hospitals and churches urge people not to give them money because theres a direct connection between people giving them money and the number of drug overdoses
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No, because then I'll have to panhandle
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No.
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No. I've done it a few times but most of the time (especially in NYC) you see the same people every day, in the same place, spouting the same sob story that probably isn't true, getting all the tourists..
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Nope. And they usually give me shit when I say I don't have anything.

I once had a guy scream at me "ever heard of karma, buddy?!" as I was walking away
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No. When you live downtown you realize those people just make a career of it. I'm not feeding the bears
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FrozenBananas posted...

Nope. And they usually give me shit when I say I don't have anything.

I once had a guy scream at me "ever heard of karma, buddy?!" as I was walking away

yeah saw this yesterday, the guy called him a name for not giving him money and rightfully so, the guy yelled back at him

I have. I dont know what it is about me but I do get approached. (White male). Ive given two rides to people and money multiple times.
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Only to buy their signs if they're good enough.

Only to that one panhandler that is telling the truth.
Using that sign that says, "Why lie? I just want beer."
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One dude at a gas station all but offerd up his daughter for sex. Gave him change and passed on the disorder.
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No.

I have volunteered at my local rescue mission. They always have room for more people, and food stocked in their kitchen. However, they have a strict policy against drug use.

So when I see a group of people congregating at the same corner by the Target parking lot week after week, waving their cardboard sign, it's pretty obvious what they're really looking for.
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Having said that, I did help out this older woman when I was visiting Hammersmith.

My mom had some fresh pasta she was not going to eat. We figured it would be better to give it to someone homeless instead of throwing it away. The woman had her dog with her. Said she was feeling hopeless. Needed 20 pounds to stay in the local hostel for the night. She started crying and said three men had been bullying her earlier that day. I told her don't give up hope and went back to my hotel.

Wasn't sure if she was telling the truth. But it didn't really matter to me.

I guess what I'm saying is we have to use our discretion sometimes.
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If I happen to have coins (almost never), and happen to be in a city large enough for pan handlers/homeless (Almost never) ill toss some in. I've only ever given cash when I found a $10 bill on the ground about 20ft down the street, from someone looking like they where really in rough shape.
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