Do you give money to people on the street?

JaPo · Apr 5, 2009

I subscribe to the Patrick Bateman view of dealing with the homeless, personally.

StopPolloition · Apr 5, 2009

Originally Posted by nordicstyle

Usually, just smiling and saying "No, sorry, I don't have any change on me." will resolve the awkwardness of the situation. I always screen people before interacting with them, so I will just ignore the professional beggars, as I have no respect for them or their "profession", but the local junkies I offer a smile and a polite reply while I look them in the eyes. It won't help their situation money-wise or drug-wise, but at least I'm not just another rude person who ignores them or who is afraid to look at them in fear of feeling awkward. I think it's a bit sad how many people just walk by them without even acknowledging that they exist.

I used to be nice about it and use that line, but then a large percentage of them wouldn't take that for an answer. Now if they ask for change, the only reason I'd give it to them is if I the jingling noise in my pocket is annoying me. Otherwise I'll just say no and if they persist, I'll get increasingly more abusive each time they ask.

Can you go to an ATM and get me some money? **** no, and also pay unnecessary surcharges? Homeless people are unnecessary surcharges.

But I'm a veteran! **** off, so am I. Half of those assholes have never been in the military anyway.

But I'm hungry, you don't think I should eat? (Obese homeless man said that to me)

ginlimetonic · Apr 5, 2009

Give to homeless except to those in Hong Kong. People on the street are professional beggars. They come in on tourist visas from China and make more money begging off the streets of central business/banking districts.

In Sydney a few years back I once saw a poorly dressed beggar pull out a QWERTY phone, and my eyes popped out!!.. stolen??
Edit: also popular in Sydney are those "I need $ for the train fare.."

And giving to large charaties isn't any better either. Look at their financial reports. The best only have a 70% flow through rate from donations to those people in need, and thats if they're good. Most of the money goes to directors, expenses etc.

in summary, altruism is economically inefficient.

Zenny · Apr 6, 2009

I once sucked dick for crack.

nordicstyle · Apr 6, 2009

Originally Posted by StopPolloition

I used to be nice about it and use that line, but then a large percentage of them wouldn't take that for an answer. Now if they ask for change, the only reason I'd give it to them is if I the jingling noise in my pocket is annoying me. Otherwise I'll just say no and if they persist, I'll get increasingly more abusive each time they ask.

I guess we don't have that many aggressive beggars. The junkies are usually quite friendly, and we don't really have any homeless people (by definition that is, we do have people who chose to sleep on the street instead of public housing). The only people who have ever given me negative or hostile replies, or who have been overly aggressive and annoying, are the "professional" beggars (usually "foreign workers" from eastern Europe), who I now ignore and never talk to anyway.

I think it's a good rule to always interact with people on at least the same "friendliness" level as they interact with you at, or even a bit higher. Thus, if people are nice to you (i.e. by asking nicely and not being aggressive or threatening), you should be nice to them (not necessarily by giving them money, but at least by showing them friendliness and respect).

Originally Posted by StopPolloition

But I'm hungry, you don't think I should eat? (Obese homeless man said that to me)

"Looks like you're eating all right." would be a suitable reply for that..

suited · Apr 6, 2009

I watched a show last night on Animal Planet where they spent 1,000,000 dollars and a ton of manpower to cut a path through ice to get 2 whales out to the open sea to prevent them from dying.

Funny how we will spend that much money to help 2 whales, but most people won't give a homeless person a dollar.

StopPolloition · Apr 6, 2009

Originally Posted by suited

I watched a show last night on Animal Planet where they spent 1,000,000 dollars and a ton of manpower to cut a path through ice to get 2 whales out to the open sea to prevent them from dying.

Funny how we will spend that much money to help 2 whales, but most people won't give a homeless person a dollar.

There are tons of public welfare programs and unemployment centers supported in part by large quantities of taxpayer dollars. Also, my opinion is that whales are cooler than homeless people.

Ronald · Apr 6, 2009

I give them money every once in a while depending on my mood.

dtmt · Apr 6, 2009

Originally Posted by suited

I watched a show last night on Animal Planet where they spent 1,000,000 dollars and a ton of manpower to cut a path through ice to get 2 whales out to the open sea to prevent them from dying.

Funny how we will spend that much money to help 2 whales, but most people won't give a homeless person a dollar.

Whales are an endangered species.

Gus · Apr 6, 2009

Not very often, but my wife does. I prefer to give money to organizations, like a crisis center, that helps people in need.

dacia1300 · Apr 8, 2009

Originally Posted by thekunk07

only if they're brutally honest. some old black dude said to me a few weeks ago: "don;t got no kids, don;t got no aids. but i got no home and no money and i needs to get fucked up." how do you argue with that.

oh yeah, and if it's a gypsy near penn asking, i don't give them **** but sometimes spit on them.

totally agree, there are wayyy too many gypsies in the city nowadays, you'd think we are in europe.

singhstyle · Apr 10, 2009

Never twice to the same person. I actually gave the bum around the corner from my apartment a half liter of rum and he happily skipped away. Very few of them need money- they need alcohol!

TheBlackBruceWayne · May 20, 2010

i give money to hard working motherfuckers

AKA i tip extra, i'd give 5 dollars to some fresh green card recipient handing out paper towels at a trendy sushi bar before i gave it to someone on the street

i like to see effort, i like to see people trying, and doing hard work myself, can appreciate another doing the same

the rich share with one another(or so it seems)

the poor are taken sympothy upon

and those left in the middle are always somehow forgotten

ektaylor · May 21, 2010

Originally Posted by TheBlackBruceWayne

i give money to hard working motherfuckers

AKA i tip extra, i'd give 5 dollars to some fresh green card recipient handing out paper towels at a trendy sushi bar before i gave it to someone on the street

i like to see effort, i like to see people trying, and doing hard work myself, can appreciate another doing the same

the rich share with one another(or so it seems)

the poor are taken sympothy upon

and those left in the middle are always somehow forgotten

TEA PARTY 2010 AM I RIGHT??

RobertN · May 21, 2010

I once came across a street artist who made the most amazing painting of my girlfriend. I paid the man 100 euro.. you should have seen is face.

Do you give money to people on the street?

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