An Observation: Panhandlers

[r3port3r66]

Here's another topic from r3's life observations file: panhandlers. You see them on the street, usually at a busy intersection, holding a ragged cardboard sign that reads something like this; "Retired vet, homeless, need money--God bless you."

I've never understood this.

I have a lady customer that comes into my work at the petstore with her dog. She buys food, flea control items and other canine accessories. When it comes time for her to pay, she brings from her pocket a large wad of money. Now, this lady wears dirty clothes--not filthy--her hands are cracked and old as is her face. She has some missing teeth, but not enough to fracture her smile.

When I ring her up for her items I notice that inside her cart she has one of those cardboard signs I mentioned above, and after I make light "retail" small talk, she tells me she has to get back to work. "Work". This makes me realize that panhandling is a job, one that can make an individual alot of money in one day. Yet I look inside the Sunday paper, at the section entitled "Careers" and I notice that there are many, many jobs available to her--some professional, of which she might not qualify, but some listed there I'm sure she could perform. Why doesn't she get a "real" job? I'll tell you why: because if she goes out on the street, she could make upwards of $50 a day--maybe more--multiply that number by 7 and you get $350 a week--tax free!

I wonder how this lady will eventually end up in life. Yes she does make perhaps $1400 a month, but what about when she gets too old to hit the streets every morning? Where will she go--what will she do?
I doubt that she's homeless, but I'm sure she only squeaks by financially. I'm not sure if panhandeling is illegal--I think it is--but everyday I see the same guy on the same corner waiting for the stop light to turn red so that he may hobble down through the line of waiting cars, putting on his most pitiful face, begging for money. What's more, if you fail to drop a quarter into his can, he twists his face in disgust and sarcastically says, "Have a nice day." Then I think, should I feel guilty?

[LordSlaytan]

When I lived my life on the streets, I knew a lot of street kids that made their way in life that way. The average that they could get in a day was around $30. They bought a little dime bag, a spot of food, and some cigarettes. I was never able to do it myself, I don’t know if it was pride really, but rather embarrassment. I couldn’t bring myself to it. I never had qualms about them doing it though. You don’t have to give them money.

Today, I see the same types of kids asking for money. Some say they have aids and need help, when it’s obvious the heroin is really the culprit. I don’t give money to anybody, and I don’t feel guilty about it either. I have, however, given food, smokes, coffee, and dog food. If they don’t want that, screw ‘em. Actually, there is a couple of people I’ve given money to, one is an elderly woman that stands in front of the library, she must be in her seventies. I don’t care what the reason she has to do it, I just can’t say no. The other is this extremely cute goth chick, again, I can’t say no.

Still, to say no in regards to money should in no way induce guilt. If you do feel bad, offer them a hamburger.

[projectMayhem]

Still, to say no in regards to money should in no way induce guilt. If you do feel bad, offer them a hamburger.
Wow, I never even thought about it like that. I'm gonna try this next time I get asked for some change. If nothing else it'll be interesting to see how they respond.

[LordSlaytan]

Wow, I never even thought about it like that. I'm gonna try this next time I get asked for some change. If nothing else it'll be interesting to see how they respond.

Most times thay say no thanks. They want the money so they can have the power to choose what it's used for.

I remember one time I went into a grocery store and this teenage girl was sitting out front with a cat and a sign. She asked me for money, which I really wanted to give, her being a girl and all, but instead, I went in the store and bought $5 of the 4 cans for a buck cat food, and about $10 of welfare food. You know, food that lasts but is filling. I felt pretty good, and so did she. I watched that cat wolf down a can in seconds. The girls need was genuine and wasn't upset with her score.

[Piddzilla]

I don't give money to anyone just like that either. Luckily, there aren't that many panhandlers or beggars on the streets of my town, even though there are a considerate number of homeless and alchohol- and/or drug addicts.

They have started a project here in Sweden. It is called Aluma, or the paper of the homeless. The homeless guys stand here and there in town selling this magazine that is made by homeless people with the help of grants from the state. The rules are simple: they have to wear a certain badge ensuring that they are not fooling you, and they are not allowed to be drunk or high while selling the paper. The paper costs 20 swedish crowns (about $2.50) and 10 goes directly down the pocket of the seller. I always buy it and you can see that the homeless take great pride in actually doing this as a job and earning their own money. It has also given these guys an identity and not very seldom you see old ladies standing there chatting with these guys whom they used to be afraid of before.

If you don't feel like giving any money to those guys, then don't and don't feel guilty about it. But just think of it like just another way of getting by in a capitalistic society. In a capitalistic society everybody is looking for taking your money, and as much as possible too. These guys want a quarter of your "fortune" - the big corporations will rob you of your kids' college funds if they get the chance.

[LordSlaytan]

I don't give money to anyone just like that either. Luckily, there aren't that many panhandlers or beggars on the streets of my town, even though there are a considerate number of homeless and alchohol- and/or drug addicts.

They have started a project here in Sweden. It is called Aluma, or the paper of the homeless. The homeless guys stand here and there in town selling this magazine that is made by homeless people with the help of grants from the state. The rules are simple: they have to wear a certain badge ensuring that they are not fooling you, and they are not allowed to be drunk or high while selling the paper. The paper costs 20 swedish crowns (about $2.50) and 10 goes directly down the pocket of the seller. I always buy it and you can see that the homeless take great pride in actually doing this as a job and earning their own money. It has also given these guys an identity and not very seldom you see old ladies standing there chatting with these guys whom they used to be afraid of before.

If you don't feel like giving any money to those guys, then don't and don't feel guilty about it. But just think of it like just another way of getting by in a capitalistic society. In a capitalistic society everybody is looking for taking your money, and as much as possible too. These guys want a quarter of your "fortune" - the big corporations will rob you of your kids' college funds if they get the chance.


Yhere is a program similar to that in my hometown as well, minus the badge. It's called Street Roots. It costs $1 and all of it goes to the seller.