How do YOU deal with the homeless?

[Queen Michael]

Unless they do something awesome I ignore them. My excuse is that at the moment my economy is so bad I actually can't afford to share. Not usually the case, but it is now.

 

[Chizniz]

I find it hard to just ignore someone suffering right in front of me. I try to avoid giving money, because there is always the possibility that they will use it on something unsavory. I don't want to be part of the reason they're found dead in a ditch, ODed on something.

When I have food on me though I have no problems sharing it, and they always appreciate it!

 

[Mr. Gency]

If I have it I'll give them some spare change and be on my way.

However if I don't, I'll tell them as kindly as possible and walk away.

This, though, if I don't, I'll tell them I would if I had some.

Sing a song about how nice California is to the homeless, and provide a bus to take them there.

We don't want your homeless, we have our own, thank you. What makes you think we'll show pitty to every poor soul we see.

If I have it I'll give them some spare change and be on my way.

However if I don't, I'll tell them as kindly as possible and walk away.

This, though, if I don't, I'll tell them I would if I had some.

...

 

[SteinFaust]

Depends on how awesome they are.

If the homeless person has an awesome sign, a clever outfit or something so bizarre I simply can't ignore it, I'll give them money.

But people who move from train car to train car every morning playing the same fucking piece of shitty music, I simply ignore.

EDIT - As an example of bizarre, I once saw a guy with 5 foot dreadlocks. Down to his freaking knees. I would've paid to take him to a studio.

QFT.

i like good music. idk if he's homeless, but there's this guy who holds a guitar flat across his lap, and plays this twangy country melody almost like he's playing a piano. gets my gold-dollar coins every time.

then there's this old chinese guy. easily in his 70s, but he plays this traditional cello-like instrument. waiting for a train feels like i just loaded a town in Jade Empire, and for that, i thank him. with money.

 

[Smilas]

It's illegal to beg and to give beggars money in my country.

 

[Broady Brio]

Avoid them. If they ask, I lie I don't have any.

Call me heartless, but most bums are demanding for money, not asking.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

I usually give them any change I have. It's awful living on the streets. I once gave a fiver to a guy under a bridge when I with one of my mates and he said "You do know he's just doing to spend that on drink and drugs right?"

I turned to him and laughed.

"What the fuck did you think I was going to spend it on?"

 

[theamazingbean]

Shiv to the liver. I can make all the pain go away.

 

[Applejack]

In Dallas they're everywhere and I used to give them money but then I saw a special on tv about how some of these guys are making like $400 a day as beggars. And I never got a 'blessings of arkay upon thee' so that kinda ruined it.

 

[dragonslayer32]

I ignore them unless they amuse me a lot, in which case I give them 2p max and be on my way.

 

[Haunted Serenity]

Ignore and walk away. Although if they are preforming something i'll look to see if it's good. If they ask for food i give they some. In winter i'll help if they need it because i am a trained EMR and it gets pretty cold so i can't just ignore them.

They didn't tell that to me before i got certified...

 

[Jonluw]

Where I live, it is illegal for beggars to 'actively' ask you for money. They can't approach you, they have to sit still and hope you will give them something.

But I guess if someone came up to me and asked me for money, I might give them some.

 

[Vrach]

Usually just ignore them/pretend they're not there, if they do get me to respond, I either tell them no or 'lie' I don't have any.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

Depends on the homeless person. Just looking pathetic isn't enough to get my change. Clever signs or crazy stories work wonders, and actually being homeless will get you a hamburger before cash.

The ones that accept the hamburger get my change the next time I see them, because by then I know their name.

 

[Snarky Username]

I usually just ignore them. Especially if they're outside a church or are usin some other obvious form of manipulation. I once saw a woman with a picture of Jesus in her cup. I had half a mind to slap her!

 

[BiscuitTrouser]

No, ive never heard or seen a person who has successfully used begging to get back on their feet. Care to give me an example if im wrong but i dont think begging is the way to change your life.

 

[Fursnake]

The "homeless" around the area I live in are all scam artists, when I used to work night shift at a store they would always be around to accost you on your way to your vehicle at 11 pm at night. I would always know a good location for a nearby garage sale to direct them to and send them off with a "Good luck" hehe.

For individuals who actually seem to be genuinigly homeless and in need, I will try and give them the spare coin in my pocket.

 

[uberman13]

This is off topic, but I'd like to thank ya'll for stating your opinions and sharing some stories, this is one of my very first topics ever created and it has been very interesting, once again: thanks!