What do you guys do when homeless people ask you for money?

I'd be broke in a single day if i gave money to every panhandler i cross. Thank God America treats these people with the utmost compassion and freedom rather than forcing them into "therapy" or "rehab."

On a personal level, I've never bought this idea that the bartender is responsible for the actions of a drunken customer but I know the law sees that differently. No matter, the situations are different. If you hire someone to cut your grass and he uses his pay to buy heroin, HE, not you, bought the heroin and he, not you, is responsible for what happens as a result. If you paid him in heroin that would be different. When you paid the guy you did not know what he was going to do with the money, assuming he didn't tell you that's what he was going to do with the money. Except for the guy needing beer in Tucson, I've never known what somemone asking for money would do with it

I was a successful salesman/ proprietary trader at global investment bank in London. Then invented, developed, patented a product and manufacturing technology with a massive commercial potential, set up a manufacturing facility and then had my life destroyed when I wouldn't play ball with 'the system' and started to trying to expose the utter corruption that pervades all aspects of it and the operation of coverts, official and occult.

I have been homeless, penniless as a result for 5y as well as enduring attack and terror that is beyond most people's comprehension as I've encountered everything termed conspiracy theory and its full capability.

I have always given money to the homeless, still give anything I have to someone that needs. You never know what the true situation is with someone and we are all equal in the eyes of God.

Once saw a guy in front of a grocery store with a sign that said "will work for food " meanwhile the store he was in front of had a huge sign "NOW HIRING "

He asked for a handout I pointed to the sign on the window

one guy kept saying he was hungry so i went to my place and made him a sandwich when i got back he only wanted money or booze.

needless to say he didn't get anything from me

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bowbridge wrote:
If I give a homeless person $20, and he uses it to buy some booze or drugs, did I do the right thing?

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If i have loose change, singles or a $5 I usually give it to them.

Think about how the government should tax the ruling class to make sure everybody has their basic needs met. But, instead, some people in the working class subsidize social problems with charity and the cycle just continues.

If I was on a date, I usually gave a dollar. They usually fk off afterwards, otherwise they can embarrass you or make life miserable.

I remember being with a date, she had a fur coat. We did not give the dude money. He yelled at the top of his lungs, FAKE FUR FAKE FUR. ,over and over..

Conversely, you hand over a dollar, and they usually offer compliments. Ex convicts are good with smooth talk. One dude said my date was beautiful and I should kiss her, that was perfect!!

Alone, I just ignore males.
Female, sometimes...
Kids.. quarters

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the media is corrupt wrote:

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Quasi-Boom wrote:

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the media is corrupt wrote:

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Quasi-Boom wrote:

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robert- wrote:
"sorry i don't carry cash" and i keep walking

not interested in the conversation and i have zero sympathy for drug addicts

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I usually say something like "hey man" and then give them whatever I have, although never more than $20. I don't know why I have that arbitrary cut-off. Seems reasonable, though.

I must have given pandhandlers, homeless or not, thousands of dollars over the years and my many travels across the US.

But I may adopt your policy, Robert. You seem like a nice guy, admired and loved by friends and family. I hear nothing but good things about you. I'm re-thinking things, based on your post.

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While I admire your empathy, your behavior, like most liberal policies that are intended to help, actually do more harm.

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I never considered giving money to someone who has none a liberal policy. Maybe it is, but I have never thought of it that way when I'm handing a homeless guy $5. It just doesn't register as having any political connotations or impact to me. If I were to see some stats that it is liberals who predominantly give money to the homeless, I'd consider not doing it any more.

As to "harm, it would really depend on the scope of the term as to whether you are correct. I can't see the harm in giving a homeless guy money. No matter what he does with it, it introduces money into the economy, at a minimum. It promotes capital fluidity, and economic utility.

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Point taken. You are correct in that conservatives give way more to charity than liberals.

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I carry high protein granola bars in my car and give them that. I carry much cash on me but occasionally I will give a dollar or two. I volunteer at homeless shelter. Most have some type of untreated mental condition. Maybe this is too much for LetsRun readers but when at the shelter I always looked at each person as if they were Jesus. How would I treat him/her?

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granny wrote:
I carry high protein granola bars in my car and give them that. I carry much cash on me but occasionally I will give a dollar or two. I volunteer at homeless shelter. Most have some type of untreated mental condition. Maybe this is too much for LetsRun readers but when at the shelter I always looked at each person as if they were Jesus. How would I treat him/her?

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I usually run when I see them in the distance and just run for at least 100m until I'm well past them. If it is a homeless girl I might be different. I once gave a cute girl 10 bucks and a coffee. I sat down and chatted and also bought myself a coffee but I bailed out after talking for 10 minutes when she mentioned she has 2 kids, a 6 and 8 year old(she is about 25). It would be cool way to meet your soulmate because she will remember you as the person who literally turned her life around and you would be a hero

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electron1661 wrote:
Actually only 25% are addicted to substances. 25% have psych issues. 50% would be fine with a little rehab, therapy, and small safety net

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wide spectrum wrote:
Depends on what they look like. I've done everything from ignore them to take them back to my place, let them clean up in my shower, then knock each other's nuts around for a while in exchange for some food and cash. Just depends on my mood and how the bum seems like they'd look with the grime cleaned off.

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Sometimes I give something

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ck3237 wrote:
Sometimes I give something

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Hardloper wrote:

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bowbridge wrote:
If I give a homeless person $20, and he uses it to buy some booze or drugs, did I do the right thing?

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No you did not... especially if you gave money knowing there's a 97% chance this will happen, and knowing there are more responsible alternative ways to donate your money

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I live near a busy corner/intersection where the homeless typically hang out to ask for money. I rarely carry cash, but if I have a few dollars in my wallet or loose change, I’ll give it to them. I’ve also given spare pairs of running gloves in the winter. I try and show my daughter what it is to be kind to people who are struggling. No one wants to be homeless or is proud to be begging on a corner.