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My answer is no. I'd like to hear your thoughts!

certainly not. everyone around where i live has the ability to fend for themselves economically. and besides, why help poor people? the population is already too large.

Not when they approach me on the street, no. It's not unusual for me to be approached by three or more beggars a day, and the mere act of reaching for your wallet on a public street will immediately attract at least one person asking for money. If I gave everyone who asked $5, I would rapidly end up broke. Not to mention that having strangers accost you on the street and demand money is slightly scary. I do, however, donate to charity.

we were talking about stuff in geography and this came up. Jim said that if I was to send out a little armless, blind orphan begger to gather me money, i would recieve more money from him than i would if i sent out a normal orphan kid. This made no sense to me at the time, if i saw a little child with no arms or legs with his eyes gouged out in the street rolling around and asking for money or food, i would stay as far away from him as i could. When Jim addressed my question, he explained that if a child was missing his legs, he would be less likely to run away with your money.

So yea, i would be more likely to give them money if they looked more like me or were really hot or the like.

The most experience i have actually giving to the poor is putting money in those santa-jar things during holiday shopping

Yes, usually to the point where I seriously detriment myself.

'Cause I'm a fucking saint.

If I was feeling generous, I'd buy them food. If you're using my money to buy things you don't need, you don't need my money.
Also, I donate to charities.

On occasion I would, it depends on when and where most of the time.
My mom generally always gives money to beggars, so I guess I do it from what I see with her.

Absolutely.

Only if his cardboard sign said the truth.

"Need money for pot"

I say no, but I certainly have. I give money to the ones who use their imaginations.
I must've given money to a beggar once within the last year or so, and it was for a sign that said something like "best friend for life: $1." I was amused enough at it to donate.

In England we have a magazine called The Big Issue. I'm not sure if it exists in other countries, maybe it does. Basically, the Big Issue is a magazine that homeless people buy in order to sell on the streets. While I don't give money to homeless people I pass on the streets, I will often buy the Big Issue from homeless people, because it shows that an effort to turn their life around is being initiated.

lord_day wrote:In England we have a magazine called The Big Issue. I'm not sure if it exists in other countries, maybe it does. Basically, the Big Issue is a magazine that homeless people buy in order to sell on the streets. While I don't give money to homeless people I pass on the streets, I will often buy the Big Issue from homeless people, because it shows that an effort to turn their life around is being initiated.

I agree lord_day, I think that it's stupid to give someone capable to do work, but he/she is not, then beggs people. It's nice to see them doing some work, at least they do something and get money from that. Everybody has to work in life in order to get money, otherwise, I don't ever give money to beggars or homeless people. Why give money that someone capable to do work and gain their own money? It's nice to see them showing an effort to turn their life around. Other than that, I help charities.

No. It seems to me that they're actually lazy, they want to make money on the easy way. I don't see why can't they work! Of course, I was talking about people who are healthy, and if nothing else, they could clean in some supermarket.

My lord aren't we a bunch of privileged motherfuckers. You do realise how difficult it is to work your way back off the street, especially when you're probably drug-addicted, and don't have anywhere to stay? Ever tried getting your driver's license, something one needs for many menial entry-level jobs, without a birth certificate, the ability to practice driving in someone's car, or even the money for to pay the lamination of the little piece of paper that becomes your license? Also, how many employers do you know that would be willing to take someone in off the street, who is clearly homeless, and will probably be more work for them than any regular, non-homeless applicant? Not to mention the difficulties one would have in getting a bank account in which to put your savings, with no permanent address, credit history, or meaningful deposit.

I'm more willing to give money to someone off the street than a charity, since charities are usually supported by some religious or other ideological backbone I disagree with, and I know that when I give a 'beggar' some money, it might tangibly help them to turn their life around, with no ideological prejudice on my behalf.

On the rare occasion I'm carrying money, yes.

I definitely would, if I had the money to spare. But I'm afraid charity begins at home for me. If I was fairly well off then I would be throwing money around like it's going out of fashion.

KinGAleX wrote:My lord aren't we a bunch of privileged motherfuckers. You do realise how difficult it is to work your way back off the street, especially when you're probably drug-addicted, and don't have anywhere to stay? Ever tried getting your driver's license, something one needs for many menial entry-level jobs, without a birth certificate, the ability to practice driving in someone's car, or even the money for to pay the lamination of the little piece of paper that becomes your license? Also, how many employers do you know that would be willing to take someone in off the street, who is clearly homeless, and will probably be more work for them than any regular, non-homeless applicant? Not to mention the difficulties one would have in getting a bank account in which to put your savings, with no permanent address, credit history, or meaningful deposit.

I'm more willing to give money to someone off the street than a charity, since charities are usually supported by some religious or other ideological backbone I disagree with, and I know that when I give a 'beggar' some money, it might tangibly help them to turn their life around, with no ideological prejudice on my behalf.

Actually you are forgetting some points.

First of all, when you give a money to a beggar, you don'T know where that money goes to. Maybe that person is drug addicted, spending all of his/her money to drugs. Drug addicted people can do anything for drugs, including killing people, so drug is more important than food to them.
Suppose that it's a children beggar, homeless, and no parents. To gain his/her life he should work or gain. But usually they can't do this even when they want, there are rebels and guerrillas out there, and childrens working - begging - for them. When they gain money by begging, they give all their money to their leader, and they gave them -childrens - food, or drug.

My point is you can't know where your money is going for, it can be a dirty money.

My experiences abroad have really jaded me toward the North American homeless population. It shouldn't have, I know, because with every increase in quality of life there comes an increase in cost of living and it should, I imagine, balance out somewhere in the details... but still. At least around these parts, I don't see single mothers begging. I rarely see people who are physically handicapped or disfigured. I still give because I get the guilts if I don't but I wonder, man, if this spare change might be better spent overseas.

Tunco123 wrote:

KinGAleX wrote:My lord aren't we a bunch of privileged motherfuckers. You do realise how difficult it is to work your way back off the street, especially when you're probably drug-addicted, and don't have anywhere to stay? Ever tried getting your driver's license, something one needs for many menial entry-level jobs, without a birth certificate, the ability to practice driving in someone's car, or even the money for to pay the lamination of the little piece of paper that becomes your license? Also, how many employers do you know that would be willing to take someone in off the street, who is clearly homeless, and will probably be more work for them than any regular, non-homeless applicant? Not to mention the difficulties one would have in getting a bank account in which to put your savings, with no permanent address, credit history, or meaningful deposit.

I'm more willing to give money to someone off the street than a charity, since charities are usually supported by some religious or other ideological backbone I disagree with, and I know that when I give a 'beggar' some money, it might tangibly help them to turn their life around, with no ideological prejudice on my behalf.

Actually you are forgetting some points.

First of all, when you give a money to a beggar, you don'T know where that money goes to. Maybe that person is drug addicted, spending all of his/her money to drugs. Drug addicted people can do anything for drugs, including killing people, so drug is more important than food to them.
Suppose that it's a children beggar, homeless, and no parents. To gain his/her life he should work or gain. But usually they can't do this even when they want, there are rebels and guerrillas out there, and childrens working - begging - for them. When they gain money by begging, they give all their money to their leader, and they gave them -childrens - food, or drug.

My point is you can't know where your money is going for, it can be a dirty money.

I suppose I forgot to mention that I'd rather give someone money not knowing where it's going than give a charity money to give money to the same person with a different set of ideals applied. To tell the truth, the two dollars I give the guy would buy me half a latte, and I daresay the smack he might get would probably make him feel better than half a latte makes me feel. Not that I'm endorsing smackheadedness, at all. I also figure the times I am actually buying a poor dude some Hungry's for lunch totally make him feel better about the world, and probably help him obtain the drive to get out of his situation, as a less hungry man tends to be the more reasonable version. Also, if you want to go down the road of people killing people for drugs, I daresay one would be more inclined towards homicide when itching for a fix and declined due to inequitable ingratitude, as opposed to when mumbling sweet nothings to one's friend Jimmy in an abandoned building on Wharf St, splittle claiming one's chin its lifelong partner, and with scars up one's arm comparable to foetal shock images.

But those just my ill-informed ramblings. I'd rather be attacked by someone who can directly address my points. I find that easier to argue with.

Oh, and Tanner, I'm surprised you don't see many mentally or physically disabled people. I primarily see these, which certainly plays on my sympathies more.

Tsukatu wrote:I give money to the ones who use their imaginations.

Seconded.

Anyway, where I live, most of the homeless people are either (probably) fake Vietnam vets, or look at least healthy enough to apply for work. There are places in Austin--Salvation Army shelters and such--that give them a roof to stay under and food to eat. Also, there are several offices designed to get homeless or destitute people work.

KinGAlex, that was a good point about the driver's licenses. Extrapolate that to include all certificates/papers having anything to do with the government. Homeless people don't usually have addresses, after all.

Tunco123 wrote:

KinGAleX wrote:My lord aren't we a bunch of privileged motherfuckers. You do realise how difficult it is to work your way back off the street, especially when you're probably drug-addicted, and don't have anywhere to stay? Ever tried getting your driver's license, something one needs for many menial entry-level jobs, without a birth certificate, the ability to practice driving in someone's car, or even the money for to pay the lamination of the little piece of paper that becomes your license? Also, how many employers do you know that would be willing to take someone in off the street, who is clearly homeless, and will probably be more work for them than any regular, non-homeless applicant? Not to mention the difficulties one would have in getting a bank account in which to put your savings, with no permanent address, credit history, or meaningful deposit.

I'm more willing to give money to someone off the street than a charity, since charities are usually supported by some religious or other ideological backbone I disagree with, and I know that when I give a 'beggar' some money, it might tangibly help them to turn their life around, with no ideological prejudice on my behalf.

Actually you are forgetting some points.

First of all, when you give a money to a beggar, you don'T know where that money goes to. Maybe that person is drug addicted, spending all of his/her money to drugs. Drug addicted people can do anything for drugs, including killing people, so drug is more important than food to them.
Suppose that it's a children beggar, homeless, and no parents. To gain his/her life he should work or gain. But usually they can't do this even when they want, there are rebels and guerrillas out there, and childrens working - begging - for them. When they gain money by begging, they give all their money to their leader, and they gave them -childrens - food, or drug.

My point is you can't know where your money is going for, it can be a dirty money.

Err.....what?

wedgie wrote:

Tunco123 wrote:

KinGAleX wrote:My lord aren't we a bunch of privileged motherfuckers. You do realise how difficult it is to work your way back off the street, especially when you're probably drug-addicted, and don't have anywhere to stay? Ever tried getting your driver's license, something one needs for many menial entry-level jobs, without a birth certificate, the ability to practice driving in someone's car, or even the money for to pay the lamination of the little piece of paper that becomes your license? Also, how many employers do you know that would be willing to take someone in off the street, who is clearly homeless, and will probably be more work for them than any regular, non-homeless applicant? Not to mention the difficulties one would have in getting a bank account in which to put your savings, with no permanent address, credit history, or meaningful deposit.

I'm more willing to give money to someone off the street than a charity, since charities are usually supported by some religious or other ideological backbone I disagree with, and I know that when I give a 'beggar' some money, it might tangibly help them to turn their life around, with no ideological prejudice on my behalf.

Actually you are forgetting some points.

First of all, when you give a money to a beggar, you don'T know where that money goes to. Maybe that person is drug addicted, spending all of his/her money to drugs. Drug addicted people can do anything for drugs, including killing people, so drug is more important than food to them.
Suppose that it's a children beggar, homeless, and no parents. To gain his/her life he should work or gain. But usually they can't do this even when they want, there are rebels and guerrillas out there, and childrens working - begging - for them. When they gain money by begging, they give all their money to their leader, and they gave them -childrens - food, or drug.

My point is you can't know where your money is going for, it can be a dirty money.

Err.....what?

You can't know what the money is used for- the money you gibe- to baggers.

Tunco123 wrote:You can't know what the money is used for- the money you gibe- to baggers.

Shit. Maybe this just hit me in a weird mood, but I think that's the funniest typo I've read on the internet in a long, long time.

I'm with KA. In most parts of North America, it is impossible to get a job without an address. While there are places where they can stay, few have mail options, and even fewer have room enough for everyone. Money that we would otherwise consider inconsequential, like, say, two dollars, only becomes an issue when we think that other people might misuse our inconsequential money, which is odd. And while many might seem phyiscally healthy, I think something like half of all of the homeless population is mentally handicapped, a statistic that isn't helped by malnutrition. When a dude hasn't done smack in six days and hasn't eaten food in six days, and he gets some money, he'll have to make a decision: He could eat, and probably live long enough to buy more smack, or he could buy the smack and likely die.

Anyway, it seems extremely judgemental of us as a people (not to mention cynical) to decide who we give excess wealth and who does not deserve it. Giving a guy two bucks because he entertained you with his sign and then suggesting that he get a job is silly. His job has merely become to entertain people on the streets. And busking's taxable, bitches.

SlappyMcGee wrote:Absolutely.

Agreed. I feel guilty whenever I pass by a homeless guy.