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Why I don't give money to Panhandlers

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mski
Posts: 4791 - Karma: 3,803
I knew something was up , interesting article.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=1171&sid=27782692&title=business-of-begging-the-real-stories-behind-utah-panhandling

I heard stories of all the beggars being in cahoots but I didn't believe it till now.
Jan 22 2014 6:35PM
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StillGhood
Posts: 305 - Karma: 613
Check this one out too

http://m.torontosun.com/2013/02/14/infamous-sticker-lady-makes-a-return-to-yonge-st
Jan 22 2014 8:47PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4798 - Karma: -676
I saw a hot girl doing it at the Virigina St exit next to walgreens last week.
Jan 22 2014 8:51PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
Didn't read the link, but it's pretty common knowledge that they make good money. Find the right spot and you can make bank
Jan 22 2014 9:01PM
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Olimar
Posts: 3535 - Karma: 4,076
I feel like this isnt exactly news.
Jan 22 2014 9:05PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4798 - Karma: -676
I don't do it because I have to give deserved tips to people every day and don't want to scum them. I try not to overtip because I have to do it so frequently but I do attempt to conduct myself the right way when dealing daily with people who rely on tips. (Room cleaners, bell men, front desk workers, sportsbook writers, and then when I get drinks or food of course I need to tip since I don't cook.)

My dad loves giving the homeless in vegas a buck. One time he had me get out of the car to give a guy in a wheel chair wth only one leg a buck. (So he would be as legit as anyone and not a faker.) Before we left the red light 4 other people saw me do that and went out of their way to give him a buck too.
Jan 22 2014 9:10PM
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Big5hifty
Posts: 3243 - Karma: 1,253
If I'm really feeling generous, I'll give someone some food, it becomes very apparent who really needs help then. I never give anyone money.
Jan 22 2014 9:11PM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 305
I try to give when I can because if I were ever in the situation where I needed to beg for money on the street I wouldn't want people to refrain from giving because they thought that I was faking it.
Jan 22 2014 9:21PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
wasnt really shocking to discover. that is why i have never given anyone on the streets anyhting. i just dont trust em.
Jan 22 2014 9:36PM
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fupaface
Posts: 810 - Karma: 449
iknew kids in highschool who would pan handle for 2 days or so and have anough money to go to a concert and buy plenty of drugs. Yeah most people arent using the money for housing or food, i thought most people knew this.
Jan 22 2014 9:50PM
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Halo1junkie
Posts: 202 - Karma: 435
In trenton the beggars all have the same excuse on a given day. Its like they all get together and come up with the trendy excuse of the day
Jan 22 2014 10:03PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51600 - Karma: 161,785
I'll throw them a water or drink sometimes that's about it.
Jan 22 2014 10:18PM
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lineskier10
Posts: 11339 - Karma: 796
that's weird because I immediately trust all the homeless people I meet in the street
Jan 22 2014 10:20PM
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shorty_T
Posts: 2725 - Karma: 761
I look at their shoes before I give anything then I usually only give food or water. Lots of homeless people in southern California.
Jan 23 2014 6:59AM
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JeremyClarkson
Posts: 1599 - Karma: 1,934
This is going to sound weird, but there used to be a really hot homeless chick in my town. She Couldn't have been older than 20. Anyway, she dressed really preppy like a college girl and would go around asking people for money saying she was stranded in our town and needed a train ticket to get back to her college.

was very obvious that she was a heroin addict. She had track marks on her hands and all the way up her arms. The saddest part is that people totally believed her because she looked the part of a lost, scared, middle class white girl. Some people would give her 50-100 dollars and walk away.

It must have been half a dozen times that she walked up to me all teary eyed asking for help, saying the same shit as last time almost word for word. Finally I told her that she needed help or that she would wind up dead. All she did was turn away and walk up to another person. Very very sad.
Jan 23 2014 9:52AM
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disastertourism
Posts: 2402 - Karma: 135
There used to be a guy in my city that went around near the train station in a suit saying his wallet got nicked and he had to get to a business meeting, and because he looked smart people would give him more money all the time.

Rumor is he wasn't even homeless
Jan 23 2014 11:40AM
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
I like to cut out the middle man so usually I'll just give them a few crack rocks and a lighter and go on with my day.
Jan 23 2014 11:54AM
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SamtheEagle
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 713
If you don't want to give them money that is completely ok but treat people like humans. Acknowledge they are there and treat them like a person. Panhandlers i have found appreciate you treating them like a person and responding to them even if it is "sorry i cant give you anything right now. Also try buying them food or a drink instead. you know whats happening with what you give them. Just remember that panhandlers like everyone else have a story. You have no idea what has gone on in their life and there are some bad ones abusing the system but not all are bad and in reality lots of them suffer from mental illness or had some bad event which moved them to the outskirts of society. That doesn't mean all are bad or drug addicts and you have no idea how they got into the situation they are in. You don't have to offer them money but treat them with respect and as you would anyone else.
Jan 23 2014 12:21PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Wait... The panhandlers actually lied to the reporters?!? Some of them had criminal records?!? My mind is blown...

Seriously though. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and if I have something to give, I will. Maybe I'm getting scammed (am I really getting scammed if I expect it though?) or maybe I'm helping someone. Maybe they'll go shoot it up their arm or maybe they'll go buy food for their kids. Expect the worst, hope for the best.
Jan 23 2014 12:50PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
I know a guy who does this and he makes bloody bank. The money is pouring in for him, which he needs to sustain his habitual class a substance abuse and swanky canal facing apartment.
He made less as a street musician (mainly because he can't sing for shit).
Jan 23 2014 12:58PM
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.Apex.
Posts: 2097 - Karma: 1,556
I only give to those who play instruments or entertain me.
Jan 23 2014 5:08PM
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Iliveinutah
Posts: 1250 - Karma: 5,147
i used to live right next to the shelter and i watched this shit happen all the time and also lots of other weird and fucked up shit. 99% of them do it to them selfs mostly drug addicts
Jan 23 2014 5:14PM
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