Opinions on picking up hitchhikers and giving money to homeless

[Smooth Operator]

I picked up alot if hitchhikers in the past (it's nice to have company on a longer journey), then I found out they can sue your pants off if you should have a car accident, so I don't do it anymore.

Homeless people, well I can get them a meal and even a job if they wanted to but I will not just give them money.

 

[mjc0961]

Would any of you have picked me up? How about if it was daylight?

No and no. I don't know who you are. You could be trying to steal my car or kill me. If you're too cheap to take the bus, sorry, your ass is walking home.

Of course, I wouldn't be a dick and troll you either. None of that pulling over near you and then shining my lights in your eyes before driving away. I'd just drive straight past you.

Why do people not give money to homeless people?!?

So they can go buy drugs, beer, or take it home with them because they're not actually homeless? No thanks. I've never actually run into any homeless people, but if I did I'd probably just try to get them some food or something. First off, I don't carry change or bills anyway so that's all they could get from me in the first place, and two, if they are actually hungry and trying to get buy they will happy take the food so they don't starve. If they are just trying to get money for drugs or to take home with them because they're actually a scammer, they will whine and complain and ask for money instead and then they get nothing, they lose, good day sir.

 

[Appleshampoo]

I wouldn't pick anyone up either. Too risky these days, especially when people are getting more and more desperate for money. Letting them into your car is giving them a massive chance to rob and/or kill you and steal your car. No thanks.

I also don't give money to the homeless, because I have a son and a family to take care of first and some weeks me and my Mrs barely have enough money to eat ourselves because my son needed something.

 

[Jedoro]

I'll pick up a hitchhiker if they have their thumb out asking for a ride, because if not then I assume they're enjoying the walk. There was one chick I picked up while it was raining and she was kinda limping; found out she'd cut her foot on some glass.

As for the homeless, I don't usually carry money with me, it's all debit now. If I've got something, though, I've never minded buying them a bit of chow. I don't usually need every cent I have, but I do conserve where I can.

 

[Zhukov]

I don't own a car, so I've never had to think about hitchhikers. However, I can understand why people don't do it. Hell, I probably wouldn't give myself a lift. Allowing a large, surly-looking, young male stranger into my car? No thanks.

As for homeless people, I give whatever cash I have to whoever asks. $20 every now and then isn't much to me, but to them it might mean the difference between eating or not eating. So yeah.. fuck you Ayn Rand!

 

[TimeLord]

Only pick up a hitchhiker if they know where their towel is!

 

[Floppertje]

well I don't think I'd pick up someone in the middle of the night. I wouldn't have any trouble picking up someone in a studded leather jacket with colored hair because I hung out with them enough that they're usually cool people. now if it was one of those wannabe hardcore skinheads... I'd just keep on driving. seen enough of those too to NOT take a chance that maybe this one will be nice.

 

[manaman]

I pick up hitchhikers all the time. I picked up a sweat as could be Canadian couple hitching back up 101 from California on their way to Port Angeles (and form there the ferry back to Canada land) once. Had a very present ride drive with them for a few hours.

I picked up a Japanese couple that had the very unfortunate luck to drive down a couple wrong roads and get lost before driving their car into an irrigation ditch. I just drove them back to town to get a tow truck, very spotty cell coverage in the area - if you can get it at all.

I picked up a very nice women that was punched by her boyfriend (it was 2am) and left, going to stay with family in Olympia. I drove her all the way to Tacoma, and since it was only 5am when I got there offered her a couch to sleep on until she could catch the bus to Olympia.

Not once have I been ripped off, or harassed.

Through there was that one time I think I picked up a hooker and her pimp.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

I'm always a little suspicious of the thing about most homeless people in fact choosing to live in the gutter and wear urine soaked pants, because it's so much more profitable than living in a loving home with easy access to food, heating, clothes and entertainment.

Sure, there's scammers who dress up as bums to leech off the kind and thoughtful people, however, I think it's hugely overexaggerated, and most people huddled against a wall in the middle of winter probably aren't trying to get more skiing holiday money on their gap year.

Also, as a comedian once said '"don't give the homeless money, they'll spend it on drink or drugs" "What? What did you think I was going to spend it on?"

If anyone could use a temporary break from reality, it's the homeless. Of course, food and other assistance is better, but they all still need cash too.

I dont know if it's spread to other countries, but one thing I'll do if I see it, is buy from Big Issue sellers, it's a magazine sold by the homeless, they buy a stack each week, and get to keep about half the money they make. Profits go to other homeless causes.

If I'm honest, homeless charities are my choice, as kids and animal charities already get so much, and the homeless don't seem to get much sympathy, usually provoking a reaction of 'ew get away from me stinky', instead of 'oh I wonder how I can help him'. There is, I guess, much less empathy for a bum than a puppy.

It'd be a much better world if we all remembered we're about 2 bad decisions from living in a cardboard box and eating out of dumpsters.

I'll admit to being less open to hitchhikers however, that seems to more be people just hoping to travel for free, rather than actually NEEDING the help.

 

[Llil]

I've only ever encountered one hitchhiker, and I wasn't going where he was (he had a sign). I probably would have picked him up if I was. Hitchhiking is pretty uncommon where I live, so if someone wanted to murder me, they would probably try some other method to get to me.

There's very few homeless people too, and the only people I ever see asking for money are the kind of immigrants, who decide to not do shit. So no, I never give money.

 

[Lizardon]

I've never picked up a hitch-hiker. It's way to risky in my opinion.

As for giving money to homeless people, I prefer to donate to charities where I know my money will go towards getting them back on their feet. Not all homeless people are going to spend any money they get on drugs and alcohol, but some definitely will and I want my money to go where it'll be of most use.

 

[DEAD34345]

I don't see why people are so against homeless people buying drugs and booze with their begging money, to be honest if I was in their position I'd probably do the same thing. If anyone has good reason to get drunk/high and try to forget their troubles, it's the homeless. Drugs and booze are probably the only thing that will be able to give them any satisfaction at that point, however temporary, and getting out of that situation is usually almost impossible.

 

[Byere]

Can't really say more than what's been said. Hitch-hikers... You have no clue who they are, you have no clue on their intentions or if they're concealing weapons or are just innocent people. You say you're a teenage lad, walking down the road in a leather jacket that's home-studded. Not to say you ARE like it, but the first thing that comes to mind when people see someone like that is "punk". Someone who's going to cause trouble, one way or the other. And you think just anyone is going to stop and let someone that might compromise their safety into their car? I'm surprised you got picked up at all.

As for giving money to homeless people, again... can't say more than what's been said. I'll tell you this though. I work in my local Co-op. We used to have a woman who would sit by the lamp-post outside the store in a blanket and beg everyone for money. The police would come along and move her on, but she always went back to the spot the next day. Now, she kept claiming she had a very young kid at home and no way to support him. Ignoring the obvious contradictions as to her being "homeless" for a moment, a lot of people bought into the story, including a few of the staff members. She would get her handfuls of change and then at the end of every day that she got money from it, the first thing she'd do before leaving is come into the store and buy a pack of cigerettes.

So you tell me... why the hell should anyone have given her money? I'm not saying that every homeless person is like that, but the vast majority do just that. They weave some bullshit story about it all and then use the money on fags, booze or drugs.

 

[WolfThomas]

As a rule, I think people who hitchhike are strange and so are the people who pick them up. So you get a weird stand off where either person doesn't know if the other is a psycho.

 

[BonsaiK]

Would any of you have picked me up?

I won't pick up some random, how can I trust a stranger? I'll happily give plenty of lifts to people who I personally know, however, and I'll even go far out of my way for them.

Why do people not give money to homeless people?!?

I've been homeless, and I still wouldn't give money to homeless people. If they want money, they can do what I do, and work for it. Strange as it may seem, after I've busted my ass all day working I really don't feel like giving away the fruits of my labour without getting something in return. I went out with a girl once who was homeless used to beg for money, I asked her how much she'd make and she said " about $80 per hour". Goddamn, that's a lot more money than most jobs pay per hour. I'll give you one guess what she spent the money on, too. I won't ever give beggars money but I'll ask them "what do you need the money for?" and if they say "to eat" I'll offer to buy them some food. Funny how they often say no.

 

[Jessta]

I pick up some hitch hikers depending on how they look, for example woman with back pack on a free way hitchhiking is someone I would pick up, 16/18 year old boy (thats the age that I notice most kids like to cause trouble for troubles sake) with Highlights in his hair and studded leather jacket whom I occasionally glance hanging out with drunks and junkies... You HONESTLY wonder why no one would pick you up? the description you gave us is of a kid who thinks he's bigger wiser and smarter than he his (I gather this from the fact that you self proclaim that you look like your 18 and from the fact that you feel the need to point out wearing a home studded jacket) with social problems (males with highlights in their hairs tend to get beat up around here, but then again this a hunting/fishing/logging community so everyone's pretty masculine, might just be the location) who's probably been partying and could possibily have consumed alchohol or partaken in drugs, note that if you're an adult and are with a intoxicated minor then you are responsible and could go to jail. (I get this from the fact that you were out between 10:30-1:30, hell this might be why some of them felt the need to shine their brights in your eyes, to check how you responded.)
Note: I'm not saying thats what you are, I don't know you so how could I possibly say who you are? This is just what I, and most others, would put together in the 2 minutes in which they can see you on the side of the road.
Double edit note: I'm not saying all of them are completely reasonable, I have had friends who will do that shit JUST TO BE AN ASSHOLE, but meh, their cars their rules, you work for something then you don't owe anyone anything.

As for homeless, they don't just need a few dollars to get them off their feet, they need professional help and most cities that have an abundance of them have food banks, most homeless fall into that rut by being incredibly lazy and gradually learning to bum off others bit by bit. Quit their jobs, start partying commonly, lose their house, live with a friend, party more, get kicked out, go from party to party and before they know it homeless, if they really look like they are ready to start trying to turn their life around chances are you wont find them on the side of the street begging, if they 'fell on hard times' and just need some help getting back up again, there is programs for that, if they are on the side of the street with a sign and a bottle of booze, then that's their decision. I understand that situations vary from homeless to homeless, that's a pretty broad generalization and most homeless have their own reasons, and if they really look like they need the money or like they had only been on the streets for the bit I'll throw them a blanket and a bag of chips, but money is different issue, I work hard for my money and if someone wants that then they best have something they can do for me.

 

[ellistoner]

I pick up some hitch hikers depending on how they look, for example woman with back pack on a free way hitchhiking is someone I would pick up, 16/18 year old boy (thats the age that I notice most kids like to cause trouble for troubles sake) with Highlights in his hair and studded leather jacket whom I occasionally glance hanging out with drunks and junkies... You HONESTLY wonder why no one would pick you up? the description you gave us is of a kid who thinks he's bigger wiser and smarter than he his (I gather this from the fact that you self proclaim that you look like your 18 and from the fact that you feel the need to point out wearing a home studded jacket) with social problems (males with highlights in their hairs tend to get beat up around here, but then again this a hunting/fishing/logging community so everyone's pretty masculine, might just be the location) who's probably been partying and could possibily have consumed alchohol or partaken in drugs, note that if you're an adult and are with a intoxicated minor then you are responsible and could go to jail. (I get this from the fact that you were out between 10:30-1:30, hell this might be why some of them felt the need to shine their brights in your eyes, to check how you responded.)

Ok, I was walking back from my girlfriends house, I wasn't drunk or stoned or anything.
I said that I look 18, so people can get a mental picture, not to big up my ego?! I can pass as 18 in shops to buy fags, but I don't go around shouting it out like i'm some god. And the fact I pointed out it was home studded was because I was expecting someone to have a bash at me and say I got it from hot topic. Half my hair is black, the other half is bleach blonde.
There's still no excuse for turning headlights on into someones face in the middle of the night, drunk or no.

^ Said all that to clear up the points, and to extinguish your hostility towards me, as you clearly think that i'm some sort of arrogant delinquent with a drug/drink problem.

 

[Queen Michael]

Of course people won't pick you up. You're a complete stranger. There's more than one person out there that pose as innocent hitchhikers but actually plan to rob people who give them a ride. How are people supposed to know you're innocent when they haven't seen any evidence either way? People just don't want to get robbed. That's not evil of them, it's sensible.

 

[teebeeohh]

as a rule i never give money to homeless people who have a dog.
I hate dogs, the more of the fuckers die the sooner it will be socially acceptable for me to get a monkey. I tend to give money to in general, because i would like people to give me some change if the situations were reversed. It's kinda like people giving to charity to make themselves feel better.