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Do You Give To The Homeless?


Biggybrony

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Do you give to the homeless?

 

In the UK, begging is illegal. It's considered anti-social behaviour. In some situations I understand this. Being put in these kind of situations can certainly make people feel very intimidated and the beggar in question has every chance of being aggressive or violent in their mannerisms. If you give money to a homeless person, how do you know what they're doing with it? Are they purchasing their thankful meal of the day or are they immediately indulging their cocaine addiction? A scary statistic popped up in my home town lately saying that half or so of the beggars on our streets were actually not homeless at all and were people disguised as homeless to beg for money.

 

Even then, I'm inclined to hand a couple of pounds to the friendly beggars I come across at night, especially if I'm doing something frivolous like drinking. Homelessness is a horrible thing. There are perfectly innocent beggars who were victims of circumstance and misfortune and possess amazing talents. I sometimes wish I could do more. As far as I know there are no homeless charities in my area. Even when handing to beggars I skimp and reserve my donation. I don't know why, I can spare so much more. Maybe it's for the reasons I listed above or maybe I just have anxieties concerning the personal interactions or the criminal applications of doing so.

 

Sometimes, as much as I feel like doing so, I don't give anything and walk on by and I don't know why. Social pressure, maybe? It makes me feel so guilty.

 

How about you guys? What are your personal policies on begging? Do you give to beggars? I will not judge or criticise if you don't. As I've mentioned, there are many reasons why you would not and I don't want you to feel guilty or judged yourself.

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(edited)

I have a policy of not giving to beggars on the street. There are plenty of opportunities to make at least a handful of dollars, plus soup kitchens and the like. Granted, I've never been homeless so I can't speak for the ease of access to these services, but (at least in my area) there are more than enough opportunities to do honest work and support yourself that you shouldn't be forced to sit on a street corner.

 

As far as donating to charities, including those that reach out to the homeless, I'm all for that. If I have a couple of extra bucks I'll throw that in the donation jar without a second thought.

 

(Side bar: I'm also a huge tipper at restaurants -- like, 33% of my meal and up. Are these two things related? I dunno.)

Edited by Kolth
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(edited)

Well if I saw a homeless guy sitting there of course I would you don't know when he ate last or drank so of course I would but I've never actually seen a homeless person so yeah...

 

The problem with this line of thinking is that a lot of "homeless" people are actually doing just fine for themselves, but they decide to prey on nice, generous people. I once saw a "homeless" guy in the next city over who had nicer clothes on than I did.  :lol:  Another "homeless" lady in that same city failed to hide her nice as heck bike under a nearby bush.

 

You just gotta be careful that the person you're helping out isn't just taking advantage of you.

Edited by Kolth
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The problem with this line of thinking is that a lot of "homeless" people are actually doing just fine for themselves, but they decide to prey on nice, generous people. I once saw a "homeless" guy in the next city over who had nicer clothes on than I did.  :lol:  Another "homeless" lady in that same city failed to hide her nice as heck bike under a nearby bush.

 

 

Careful with that line of thought though. Especially nowadays homeless people include a lot of people with fairly nice possessions, veterans or those with transient jobs who lost on on their house due to a slump in their particular job market. Just because they have things doesn't mean they have a place to live, and without shelter a lot of things are compromised like safety and comfort. They are still validly homeless. There may be honest to goodness fakers of course but I doubt that's a majority.

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(edited)

Here in Uruguay homeless people are sadly, pretty common. Even if there are some social homes for them to pass the nighe, people hate go to there becuase these places are full of problems.

My mother taught me to help others, not with money if is possible, but if they ask for something to eat, give them some bread, fruits, rice, etc.
I remember one time, during winter. I was going to school and there was this gut searching things in the trashcan. We asked if we can help him with something and he said he was hungry, so we gave him $100 uruguayan pesos (more or less 4 dollars). Later he come to thanks us and showed us what he had bought, We talk with him and convinced him to go and try to talk with his family and ask for help.

Edited by Sochy
Correct my english.
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Careful with that line of thought though. Especially nowadays homeless people include a lot of people with fairly nice possessions, veterans or those with transient jobs who lost on on their house due to a slump in their particular job market. Just because they have things doesn't mean they have a place to live, and without shelter a lot of things are compromised like safety and comfort. They are still validly homeless. There may be honest to goodness fakers of course but I doubt that's a majority.

 

There's still soup kitchens, halfway homes, and plenty of job opportunities. If you're a disabled vet who can't work, there are programs to help. If you don't have a house, stay with a friend or go to one of those government-sponsored places (I'm blanking on a good name for that). In my mind no one should ever have to beg for money, whether they're down on their luck or have ten cents to their name.

 

Maybe part of that comes from where I've grown up. There's lots of farmland around where I live, and farmers are always looking for pickers/machine operators/etc. Does it pay super well? Not really. Is it glamorous work? Most would say no. But it is honest work putting money in your pocket.

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(edited)

All the time. I give money to a charity and I'm always willing to give to someone down on their luck, in generous amounts I might add.

 

There was this one time when I was in Vegas and saw a man sitting on a bridge. Not begging and he didn't even have a sign. I went back to my hotel, bought some snacks and a gatorade and gave it to him, as well as 20 bucks with the promise for him to not "spend it all in one place."


 

 

In the UK, begging is illegal. It's considered anti-social behaviour.

 

Well that's just downright draconian! It's "anti-social" to ask for help?! And even if it is considered such, anti-social behavior should be outlawed?!

 

If that were the case on our side of the pond, the prisons would be filled with more New York and Philly street performers than car thieves and crack dealers! 

Edited by Steel Accord
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Yes I do, though sometimes what they ask instead is for me to buy them some food or to help them paying for bus or train passes. Last week I bought to a poor woman, who had just had a baby, some baby supplies, like (diapers, milk, etc.).

 

I do not know what they will do with the money and it is not up to me to judge, I give them the benefit of doubt. If they did lie to me, that will be between them and God.

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There's still soup kitchens, halfway homes, and plenty of job opportunities. If you're a disabled vet who can't work, there are programs to help. If you don't have a house, stay with a friend or go to one of those government-sponsored places (I'm blanking on a good name for that). In my mind no one should ever have to beg for money, whether they're down on their luck or have ten cents to their name.

 

Maybe part of that comes from where I've grown up. There's lots of farmland around where I live, and farmers are always looking for pickers/machine operators/etc. Does it pay super well? Not really. Is it glamorous work? Most would say no. But it is honest work putting money in your pocket.

 

Halfway homes have queues in the US due to overcrowding, entry level jobs are still coveted. Even barring all of this there's always the mentally ill who struggle due to a lack of systems designed to help them. Your context and environment =/= others.

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I was taught by some very smart people that you should never give money to the homeless; you never know if they'll spend it on drugs or something. Give them food instead.

 

That is, to me, a misguided mentallity. Who are you to judge the homeless? You don't know their backstory or intentions. Besides, how many times have you yourself or others you know spent money on things that weren't necessary? The homeless generally have no guidance, no hope, no one there to help them. I'd hope they use the money given to them wisely, but can you really blame them if they don't? It'd be more beneficial to give advice and help those in need the most rather than judging right off the bat.

 

 

There's still soup kitchens, halfway homes, and plenty of job opportunities. If you're a disabled vet who can't work, there are programs to help. If you don't have a house, stay with a friend or go to one of those government-sponsored places (I'm blanking on a good name for that). In my mind no one should ever have to beg for money, whether they're down on their luck or have ten cents to their name.

 

Maybe part of that comes from where I've grown up. There's lots of farmland around where I live, and farmers are always looking for pickers/machine operators/etc. Does it pay super well? Not really. Is it glamorous work? Most would say no. But it is honest work putting money in your pocket.

 

Ribbonfree is right. It is extremely difficult for the homeless to get back on their feet without guidance or support. Imagine how tough it'd be to get a job when you have no phone, no home, and no resources. Places are generally overcrowded and aren't always able to help everyone.

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(edited)
Imagine how tough it'd be to get a job when you have no phone, no home, and no resources

 

I'm an independent capitalist, leaning to the right, so this to me equates to "survival of the fittest." Harsh, but this thread is about opinions, not right and wrong. If you are at a point where you have nothing at all, then you need to start getting that back. That doesn't mean asking for donations so you can buy new clothes, a phone, and a penthouse -- that means doing labor so you can afford the necessities and start working your way back up.

 

I don't give money to beggars because there are plenty of opportunities in my environment for them to make their own honest money. If I was raised somewhere else and/or under different circumstances, my views might be very different based on what I've seen. But in my area, there are a lot of fake homeless and I find it hard to trust these individuals as a result. 

Edited by Kolth
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No, I don't give money to people begging on the street, since you don't know what they'll use the money for (maybe I would give them food if I had some with me, but I don't usually carry food around). However, I volunteer twice a month at a soup kitchen helping to serve dinner to the homeless people in the inner city. :) I think that volunteering at a reliable organization is a much better way to help people in need (the place also serves as a shelter and offers free job counseling to help get the individuals back on their feet).

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No, I don't give money to people begging on the street, since you don't know what they'll use the money for (maybe I would give them food if I had some with me, but I don't usually carry food around). However, I volunteer twice a month at a soup kitchen helping to serve dinner to the homeless people in the inner city. :) I think that volunteering at a reliable organization is a much better way to help people in need (the place also serves as a shelter and offers free job counseling to help get the individuals back on their feet).

 

This. This a thousand times. Volunteering is the most effective way to help those in need -- just skip the money issue and get right to the help.

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I don't know or care how they got in their situations. Unless I personally know them and I'm given damn good reason I'm not giving anything to anyone. Especially since I live in a place where most people asking for money are likely just using it for drugs.

 

I boot beggars off my parking lot at work all the time. They look perfectly healthy.

 

Not to mention sometimes they shove their hands in my face asking for money like I owe it to them. Fuck that.

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No i dont give to beggars or the homeless. Like others, i dont know what they might spend it on. Not that its any of my business once the money becomes theirs but still. I would not want to be an unknowing enabler if they are really trying to scrape up money for substance abuse (not saying that is always or even sometimes the case). I just think its kind of positive reinforcement for that behavior.

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Supporting the homeless is so complicated these days. Honestly here in America its not quite as simple as we wish it could be. It seems like there should be a seminar or some sort of basic education on how to help the homeless.

 

As some people have mentioned there are some people who simply pretend to be homeless to make a quick buck. There are some homeless who live in homeless shelters with all the basic necessities and a few luxuries (like cable), they even offer programs to help get people back on their feet. Yet some of those in the shelters are very selfish and just take advantage of the system (I have heard a few real bad stories, such as getting angry and destroying some of the shelter property over the simple fact of a drier not working). Offenders are naturally booted from the homeless shelter.

 

Though sadly in itself, homeless shelters can be difficult to get into because of various requirements. If I were to support the homeless I would support the shelters and let them filter which ones actually need and deserve the help.Though unfortunately enough there are also many who need and deserve the help of a homeless shelter who cant get into one. Truly such depressing times.

 

Still ... did you know that in this day and time, people mostly just pass by the homeless? If you were to support them, like most say, just offer them food, or a "Survival pack" to help get them through their hard times (basically an emergency kit; probably coupled with some first aid, food, rations, maybe some water, etc. ). What makes this especially sad is that, homeless CHILDREN are even ignored. I have seen various youtube experiments (which i take with a grain of salt; considering its questionable validity.) where people's parents are disguised as homeless, and the passerby's do not even recognize them, or more specifically, did not bother to pay attention to them. These are adults by the way. There was that one youtube video experiment when a child was pretending to be homeless ... even over 2+ hours no one offered their support or even acknowledged his existence!.

 

I do not even like thinking about this anymore, its too depressing. :blush:

 

Moral of the story: Support the homeless! But learn on how to properly and effectively help them! :fluttershy:

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 I'd give them some food if I had any on me at that moment, but I wouldn't give them money since they might not be homeless or go spend it on stupid stuff. I would donate money to charities that help the homeless though.

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That is, to me, a misguided mentallity. Who are you to judge the homeless? You don't know their backstory or intentions. Besides, how many times have you yourself or others you know spent money on things that weren't necessary? The homeless generally have no guidance, no hope, no one there to help them. I'd hope they use the money given to them wisely, but can you really blame them if they don't? It'd be more beneficial to give advice and help those in need the most rather than judging right off the bat.

It's caution, not judging. Most homeless are not, but you never know.

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(edited)

yep absolutely,

cause drugs is really really pricey where i live.even an average salary man wouldnt be even to afford it so im confident beggars wont use them to buy drugs

i live in a third world country, we dont have have soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless

when  street kids come to beg to me and i see them very sickly and hungry in their tattered clothes its just hard not to

Edited by Alto
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I really don't follow the whole "you never know they could be tricking you" type of thinking. Yeah, they could. Anyone can lie to your face. I think it's the intention of you wanting to help out that counts. I give money whenever I have loose dollars on me  :)

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