that guy on the side of the road

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:38 pm

The guy standing there with a pitiful sign that says

God Bless You Please Help Me

**** ! Why do I always end up right in front of him at the red light. Am I obligated to make eye contact ?

If I move does he thinking Im digging for money ?

Why wont the frickin light change ? :-5

Too much stress.

Im always torn. I want to help a guy out but cmon if youre homeless youre in dire straights. A few bucks will only get you through the rest of the day.

If I had a business Id hand him a card and tell him to come in and talk to me.

It would be thrilling to offer someone a chance to improve their life but begging on the side of the road is just annoying.

But still........

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:51 pm

Uh oh....................another red light..................

Attached files

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:07 pm

Nomad;1134796 wrote: The guy standing there with a pitiful sign that says

God Bless You Please Help Me

**** ! Why do I always end up right in front of him at the red light. Am I obligated to make eye contact ?

If I move does he thinking Im digging for money ?

Why wont the frickin light change ? :-5

Too much stress.

Im always torn. I want to help a guy out but cmon if youre homeless youre in dire straights. A few bucks will only get you through the rest of the day.

If I had a business Id hand him a card and tell him to come in and talk to me.

It would be thrilling to offer someone a chance to improve their life but begging on the side of the road is just annoying.

But still........

Give the guy The Finger and you will feel so much better, sorta of a sense of power and control.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:25 pm

Its a tough call Nomie I have been in the same position as well. Then I see the same guy on another corner a few days later doing it again, and again clean clothes nice shoes and I wonders.

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:26 pm

Nomad;1134796 wrote: The guy standing there with a pitiful sign that says

God Bless You Please Help Me

**** ! Why do I always end up right in front of him at the red light. Am I obligated to make eye contact ?

If I move does he thinking Im digging for money ?

Why wont the frickin light change ? :-5

Too much stress.

Im always torn. I want to help a guy out but cmon if youre homeless youre in dire straights. A few bucks will only get you through the rest of the day.

If I had a business Id hand him a card and tell him to come in and talk to me.

It would be thrilling to offer someone a chance to improve their life but begging on the side of the road is just annoying.

But still........

Sometimes that's as far as a person can see ... getting themselves through another day.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:52 pm

Jester;1134817 wrote: I was in a park having a group picnic with a few families when we were approached by a group of homeless asking for money- we offered to share our picnic sandwhiches and one of them began to ask what kind? What kind! I said they are all humble sandwhiches- the kind that you eat when you are hungry. He asked if I wouldnt rather give him a few dollars? I asked him if he'd rather I break his legs. So they left.

times like this really make me wonder, are some really homeless?

We have a lady here who works the downtown core......she was videotaped, long story short, she lives in a penthouse in Toronto, has everything you could possibly imagine.

makes me wanna dress up looking like a bag lady, just to see how much money I can get peddling.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:26 pm

Jester;1134817 wrote: I was in a park having a group picnic with a few families when we were approached by a group of homeless asking for money- we offered to share our picnic sandwhiches and one of them began to ask what kind? What kind! I said they are all humble sandwhiches- the kind that you eat when you are hungry. He asked if I wouldnt rather give him a few dollars? I asked him if he'd rather I break his legs. So they left.

I'm a sucker for these people and Mr O gives me a hard time if i stop and give them money. I know alot do it when they are not really starving but i just think if one guy is genuine then it will be better to give them something.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:12 pm

When they ask me in the super market parking lot for money, and I'm putting my groceries in the car, I always tell them to take what they need. They never take a thing, just walk away.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:49 pm

For those that are truly hungry, food is readily available and they know where to go to get a meal. The side of the road folks are looking for money for drugs or booze and it's less risk than stealing or home invasion.

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:45 pm

My sister works down town in the city and sees the same homeless peeps everyday and doesn't give them a dime or a time of the day. They harrass her:mad: and she blows them off like yesterday's news. Go sister!

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:25 pm

Jester;1134928 wrote: Odie: I did security work in many places and I'd follow the homeless guys back down thier route to thier cars and then to thier homes. It's a sham most often- Ive run more panhandlers out of businesses than you can shake a stick at.

Dont be a sucker anymore Oscar- they play on your emotions and 9 times out of ten they lie through thier teeth to get a hand out.

I appreciate feeling the need to give, but only give through an established homeless shelter, otherwise ya just encourage the behavior and they will be back and with more of them. I read an article about Santa Monica CA, the city council started handing out food and clothing right near the Santa Monica Pier, it didnt take long for the words 'free food' to go around and the Santa Monica Beach line (one of the most traveled and touristy beaches in the world (think Muscle beach and Venice beach) was inundated with homeless with hands out- the climate is good year round so they are still there in droves.

and some need to get jobs!:-5:-5

and some can, they are just to lazy.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:36 pm

Nomad;1134796 wrote: The guy standing there with a pitiful sign that says

God Bless You Please Help Me

**** ! Why do I always end up right in front of him at the red light. Am I obligated to make eye contact ?

If I move does he thinking Im digging for money ?

Why wont the frickin light change ? :-5

Too much stress.

Im always torn. I want to help a guy out but cmon if youre homeless youre in dire straights. A few bucks will only get you through the rest of the day.

If I had a business Id hand him a card and tell him to come in and talk to me.

It would be thrilling to offer someone a chance to improve their life but begging on the side of the road is just annoying.

But still........

You know when you're driving along and there is that lonely single shoe in the middle of the road?

Well it's mine .....................................can I have it back now please?

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:21 pm

Odie;1135088 wrote: and some need to get jobs!:-5:-5

and some can, they are just to lazy.

I said that once to a friend after we'd been approached, and my friend answered "this is their job".

I admit I usually do fall for the kid who says they need to phone home, or they've lost their bus money. Reckon it could have been one of mine in trouble and asking for help. Sure it's mostly a con, but in cases like this, I'd rather be conned than ignore what could be a real plea for help.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:23 am

[quote=AussiePam;1135101]I said that once to a friend after we'd been approached, and my friend answered "this is their job".

I admit I usually do fall for the kid who says they need to phone home, or they've lost their bus money. Reckon it could have been one of mine in trouble and asking for help. Sure it's mostly a con, but in cases like this, I'd rather be conned than ignore what could be a real plea for help.

Therein lies the rub.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:56 am

Nomad;1135109 wrote: [quote=AussiePam;1135101]I said that once to a friend after we'd been approached, and my friend answered "this is their job".

I admit I usually do fall for the kid who says they need to phone home, or they've lost their bus money. Reckon it could have been one of mine in trouble and asking for help. Sure it's mostly a con, but in cases like this, I'd rather be conned than ignore what could be a real plea for help.

Therein lies the rub.

The animal authorities have clamped down on this now but a few years ago, the trick was to beg in the street with a mangey looking dog or small puppy. If you ignored the guy, you couldn't ignore the dog.

Frankly, i am aware some of them are drug addicts and i can tell by looking at them but if i give to them, it may stop some bashing old ladies for their pension should they get really desperate.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:35 am

Many years ago when the ex used to drop me off downtown for work, at the same corner (no I did not solicit at that corner sheesh). There was a homeless man there daily early in the morning, he would sell a newspaper, it was the voice of the homeless, and he would wish everyone a good day every day and hold up his paper for passerbys to see. He never asked for money. For weeks I wished him good day back. One day I got into work and decided I would go pay him a visit and took hime $20.00 and wow was he ever amazed when I handed it to him. I never bought his 25 cent paper but because he was the most upbeat cheery, friendly unpretentios homeless person around I could not resist the donation. I sure did not have much to offer but he was over joyed. That is the last time I donated.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:39 am

minks;1135439 wrote: Many years ago when the ex used to drop me off downtown for work, at the same corner (no I did not solicit at that corner sheesh). I solicited at another corner. There was a homeless man there daily early in the morning, he would sell a newspaper, it was the voice of the homeless, and he would wish everyone a good day every day and hold up his paper for passerbys to see. He never asked for money. For weeks I wished him good day back. One day I got into work and decided I would go pay him a visit and took hime $20.00 and wow was he ever amazed when I handed it to him. I never bought his 25 cent paper but because he was the most upbeat cheery, friendly unpretentios homeless person around I could not resist the donation. I sure did not have much to offer but he was over joyed. That is the last time I donated.

I hate to rain on your parade but it seems to me the street walking kind of cancels out the good deed.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:40 pm

Nomad;1135443 wrote: I hate to rain on your parade but it seems to me the street walking kind of cancels out the good deed.

oh brother :yh_rotfl:-5