Not Prepared?

[Mistered]

We never know the persons true intent,

Well when you see the SAME people on t he SAME corners for years I think their true intent speaks for itself. While 'Help Wanted' signs on businesses are up so long they are falling to shreds these people are standing with the same signs that say 'Homeless veteran needs help'

 

[TTSH]

But the bottom line was I got caught with my guard down?

Your story reminded me of an incident back about 12 or 13 years ago down south while I was still employed and on a mission for my employer. I had stopped for fuel at one of those "fuel & booze" type road stops and a man approached me with the same "just making friendly conversation" deal which lasted about 3 or 4 minutes before he launched into his needy story and asked for money. But even before his own needy story had really gotten going, I launched into my own true needy story, pretty much out-needy'ing him by at least double if not triple.

Well, he was genuinely shocked. By the time we were all done a few minutes later, he was offering me money. True story.

I refused, of course. I never accept charity.

 

[Mistered]

he was offering me money. True story.

A beggar with money to spare? Must pay better than we expected.

 

[Watchdog]

Unexpectedly this gentleman goes off with telling me now that he's a recovered alcoholic and hasn't had a drink in 16 years. Now he tells me he is now homeless since the people he has been living with has now started drinking again and he had to leave the home so now he's homeless and hasn't had a meal in two days?

Could I spare him a couple bucks to get something to eat?
...we gave the guy 10 bucks to eat with, figured he could get something decent in Cracker Barrel but he didn't go in there sort of just disappeared.

So I did a good deed, never give money out to people like this but he sounded sincere and god blessed me as a good Christian.

But the bottom line was I got caught with my guard down?

Well, you don't say where this happened, but I heard almost that exact same story a week or so ago as I was pumping gas, except the guy hadn't had a drink in ten years. He, too, was now homeless and hadn't eaten in two days and could I help him out?

I reckon you're a better Christian than I am, and it isn't for me to say whether or not you got caught with your guard down. But then again, I'd seen my guy three days earlier coming out of the 7-11 with what was either a big bottle of wine or a big bottle of beer in a paper bag, headed for a wooded area at the I-85 and I-77 interchange.

 

[TTSH]

A beggar with money to spare? Must pay better than we expected.

I think it's fair to say he was a "pro" at that. He just didn't realize that he was dealing with a bigger, better "pro" at that neediness routine than he was.

 

[e3mrk]

I just tell them to hit the road. I had this happen once before with My best friend.A so called homeless person put the bite on my friend and when He pulled out his wallet the guy saw he had money and after he gave it to him we saw the guy pointing us out to some other rather rough looking people.
Luckily we were were we needed to be so nothing happened but it could have been bad.

 

[BAM-BAM]

FWIW...... I carry all my $1 and $5s in a money clip...... left hand front pocket...... 3913/6906 behind the right hip.

 

[hoosierone]

A few years back I got gas at a station just off I-65. A young man came came up to me with a gas can asking for gas money as he was stranded. I told him no way.

A few days later, maybe ten miles away I was in the parking lot at my local grocery store. The same guy approached me with his gas can! I told him to take a hike. When I got home I called the store and told the manager what was going on in his parking lot. He thanked me and said it would be dealt with immediately.

 

[TXSWFAN]

A while back, I was headed into a Walgreens and a young woman with a baby on her hip was asking for money to buy food. When I came out of the store, I handed her a bag with milk, eggs and bread. She cussed at me and threw the bag into the garbage can next to her.

Now, the answer is always a loud "NO."

 

[Bajadoc]

He went straight to the nearest liquor store or drug dealer. Give to legitimate vetted charities. Giving to people on the street perpetuates that individuals problem and encourages them to harass and scam other nice well-meaning people.

 

[Bekeart]

New LOW in cash request.

New LOW in cash request.

Yesterday I heard the LOWEST cash request ever for me.

A decently dressed lady asked for THIRTY CENTS.
She said that she only need that much more to buy a loaf of bread.
I did give her my loose change - more than the thirty cents but less than a dollar.

Was her request real? Maybe. Never know. BUT, everybody else wants a few bucks.

Bekeart

 

[chaparrito]

All the bums say god bless you. They know it often works.

 

[Alk8944]

If you were scammed that happens. It is no sin to be a victim. You did a good deed and have nothing to be ashamed of. On the other hand the man you gave the money to will eventually have to answer to the Lord if he did scam you. Let it go.

 

[loknload]

Watchdog,,

Well, you don't say where this happened, but I heard almost that exact same story a week or so ago as I was pumping gas, except the guy hadn't had a drink in ten years. He, too, was now homeless and hadn't eaten in two days and could I help him out?

My encounter was at the Cracker Barrel in Roanoke Rapids NC.
Currently relaxing in Myrtle Beach with an adult beverage.

I don't regret giving the gent money, did my good deed for the day? Did not display over abundance of cash just what I carry in my pocket which is about at the most $20.

 

[straightshooter1]

For me, I've only got a few moments to assess them-lying, telling the truth, something else?

If I think they are, or may be, telling the truth, really needing money, I give it to them.

Pretty simple and easy.

I don't want to be an enabler or be taken advantage of by a liar, but, more importantly, I don't want to fail to help someone in real need.

Bob

 

[Onomea]

I went to India, for the first and so far only time, for a week in 2011 on business. I read up before I went, and the universal advice is to not give beggars money. Many are professionals, and, even if not, I read, there is no way you could give money to all the beggars who would flock to you once they realized you had given money to one of them.

I was stopped at an intersection. New Delhi, I think it was. A blisteringly hot day. By myself in the back seat of an air conditioned black limo. An emaciated woman with an emaciated baby in her arms came to my window and gently knocked on it. A beggar. After a glance, I refused to look at her. She stood there, with her hand out, as I, unmoving, stonily looked straight ahead. After what seemed a very long time, but was maybe 30 seconds, the light changed and we drove off.

I think of this scene, now and then, and I feel bad. What would it have cost me to slip a few bucks to her through a crack in the window? So what if she was a pro? She was emaciated, and being a pro, if she was, was how she earned her living, if it can be called that.

I am ashamed of my behavior.

I think it better to be wrong about this kind if thing, and be taken advantage of, than to develop and maintain a cold heart.

 

[Farmer17]

Even well known charities may not be the best place to donate your money. Read something lately where the head of the Red Cross makes $675,000 per year and The March of Dimes....one dime out of a dollar is about what actually makes it to the needy. There were several other charities that were badly rated and there were some with good reviews, but how do they audit the cash and really know how much was taken in?

 

[BigBill]

I had a pastor and his wife walking behind me when a homeless guy asked for a few bucks so he could eat. I gladly gave him $5. As I walked with the pastor I said we all have been down and out in our lives at one time or another. How soon we forget. I hope he doesn't waste it on booze.

My dad told me during ww2 the Red Cross charged our soldiers for cigarettes while the Salvation Army gave them out for free. I always give to the Salvation Army.

If I give money out it maybe to st Jude.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I am ashamed of my behavior.

I think it better to be wrong about this kind if thing, and be taken advantage of, than to develop and maintain a cold heart.

What a beautiful outlook you have. I am going to remember and use this if you don't mind.

 

[GaryS]

As a rule, I never give money to panhandlers. They are all, without any exception, scamming well meaning people for money.

In some cities, they are well organized, work together, and make a lot of money. Territories and shifts are staked out, and there are sometimes fights over the areas.

They all have a sad story, and it's always some combination or variation of they need gas, they lost their wallet, they are trying to get get bus fare for their wife/children/mother. They need some money to buy new clothes for a job interview. They are staying at a nearby shelter, but need money for dinner.

Bajadoc is right. Give to legitimate charities. Your money will help people, not go to perpetuate someones drug or alcohol habit.

Every major, and some smaller, city has at least one homeless shelter. They aren't luxury, but they give people a place off the streets, a bed, shower, and a meal or two. All of them ban drugs or alcohol. People who can't follow the rules are the ones we see panhandling.

I know some will think that I'm harsh and unsympathetic. I'm not, I just know that panhandlers are running a scam on well meaning people. Don't fall for it.

He went straight to the nearest liquor store or drug dealer. Give to legitimate vetted charities. Giving to people on the street perpetuates that individuals problem and encourages them to harass and scam other nice well-meaning people.