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madamesilverspurs

(15,833 posts)
56. When I can, sure.
Thu Aug 17, 2023, 09:21 PM
Aug 2023

And I have never once demanded that they pee in a bottle first. I've been poor, and the sad reality is that we make it damned hard to ask for help. Case in point, a few years back I was working the front desk at the food bank, and a woman came in clearly upset and wiping tears off her cheeks. She asked if this is where to ask for food, I answered in the affirmative. Then she said, "You're not going to yell at me like they did at Social Services?" Before I could answer, our director came out of her office having heard the exhange, and she threw her arms around the woman and said "Of course not, that's not why we're here." Then she took the woman by the hand and walked her through the process, telling her we'd be here as long as she needed us. I'm no saint, but long story short, I'd just rather be kind.


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Do you give to panhandlers? [View all] Oopsie Daisy Aug 2023 OP
This message was self-deleted by its author WhiskeyGrinder Aug 2023 #1
I do on occasion. It is becoming increasingly harder for people to survive out there. CentralMass Aug 2023 #2
In Australia, two American guys had a sign saying they spent all their money jimfields33 Aug 2023 #25
We did a similar thing in Las Vegas - Ms. Toad Aug 2023 #45
creativity counts NJCher Aug 2023 #64
Here in Stockholm, almost all panhandlers we encounter are part of criminal Roma gangs. Celerity Aug 2023 #70
Interesting... róisín_dubh Aug 2023 #74
The Romanian (and Bulgarian, etc etc) government and society treats the Roma like shite, thus many Celerity Aug 2023 #76
I don't pull out my wallet on the street. Demobrat Aug 2023 #3
I rarely have cash MissB Aug 2023 #4
Sometimes. But I am very wary--especially if they approach me. Women with kids I will give to... hlthe2b Aug 2023 #5
Most of them I see in my area are standing at the exit from a freeway to a major city street MichMan Aug 2023 #6
Addiction and mental issues probably keep them from being responsible workers. Oopsie Daisy Aug 2023 #11
Her child was left in the car, and she walked away and went inside? Croney Aug 2023 #7
I know. I thought about that later. Oopsie Daisy Aug 2023 #9
we tend to give to buskers Recycle_Guru Aug 2023 #8
Have you seen any fake violinists? Effete Snob Aug 2023 #12
yes. we don't tive them to fakes or your nee who don't know how to play Recycle_Guru Aug 2023 #26
Haha! The first time I heard that bdjhawk Aug 2023 #72
I will help women and some old men AKwannabe Aug 2023 #10
My husband had a similar experience. She asked for money... Oopsie Daisy Aug 2023 #14
It depends. Jirel Aug 2023 #13
Yes. maxsolomon Aug 2023 #15
I will if a pet is involved. My guess the pet is Polly Hennessey Aug 2023 #16
More often than not. nt hay rick Aug 2023 #17
Not anymore MistakenLamb Aug 2023 #18
Old white guy here . Permanut Aug 2023 #19
I used to, and I still do sometimes. BigDemVoter Aug 2023 #20
I was at Salvation Army one time, in line waiting to get a tax receipt for donations. LuckyCharms Aug 2023 #21
That was kind of you! I almost always do. 50 Shades Of Blue Aug 2023 #22
If they are outside a grocery store I may offer to buy them some BigmanPigman Aug 2023 #23
for safety reasons, no. I don't like to be approached in that way ecstatic Aug 2023 #24
I do. Captain Stern Aug 2023 #27
Generally I dont thatdemguy Aug 2023 #28
I keep a baggie with loose one dollar bills in my car console, so they're easy to access. And yes, chia Aug 2023 #29
I have the same philosophy as you describe. marked50 Aug 2023 #40
There you go. Glad to be in agreement with you! chia Aug 2023 #69
I commute through a heavily panhandled area daily... EarthFirst Aug 2023 #30
I felt compelled to give to street preachers Kaleva Aug 2023 #31
I used to keep dollars in my car for a woman I saw every morning nini Aug 2023 #32
Once to get him away from my truck while I made a delivery. Emile Aug 2023 #33
I feel obliged to give money to panhandlers. TomSlick Aug 2023 #34
Yup! Johnny2X2X Aug 2023 #35
Ram Das wrote of his cultural-karmic shock of panhandlers/ beggers in India ... sanatanadharma Aug 2023 #36
One winter season there were an assortment of families who hung out outside Trader Joe's ... Hekate Aug 2023 #37
If I have cash, I almost always do Victor_c3 Aug 2023 #38
Yeah, I usually give them something. I try not to over analyze it too much. dameatball Aug 2023 #39
I don't give them money but like you, I have gotten food at a fast food place and given them that. appleannie1 Aug 2023 #41
Sometimes yes. cilla4progress Aug 2023 #42
I used to, frequently tom_kelly Aug 2023 #43
Always. I am compelled to give ... Joinfortmill Aug 2023 #44
You did the best thing - buying her something to eat SouthernDem4ever Aug 2023 #46
I only give money to elderly people kimbutgar Aug 2023 #47
That is heartbreaking. Perhaps you will see her (them) again. So common today. We are not addressing Evolve Dammit Aug 2023 #48
I do what you did. Food but not money. Wonder Why Aug 2023 #49
I wrestle with it - and try to find other ways to provide support. Ms. Toad Aug 2023 #50
I do sometimes. ShazzieB Aug 2023 #51
I always pay cash for stories, true or not. hunter Aug 2023 #52
I never give cash. I keep bags of food in my car and give those away. efhmc Aug 2023 #53
Food don't buy shoes. Iggo Aug 2023 #59
I do. I've also brought one guy into a mini market and bought him what he wanted to eat. C Moon Aug 2023 #54
Yes, unless they are threatening. Midnight Writer Aug 2023 #55
When I can, sure. madamesilverspurs Aug 2023 #56
When I meet someone begging for money, I alway think, I do not want my money going for alcohol spike jones Aug 2023 #57
Always. (n/t) Iggo Aug 2023 #58
Only occasionally... AdamGG Aug 2023 #60
Yes, in the city. More than that I've helped Quakerfriend Aug 2023 #61
Yes, sometimes. Dyedinthewoolliberal Aug 2023 #62
Hell yeah! nt Kahuna Aug 2023 #63
McDonalds gift cards V850i Aug 2023 #65
yes I do. barbtries Aug 2023 #66
It depends. Richard58 Aug 2023 #67
Unfortunately, this scene is all to common in America and it shouldn't be. William769 Aug 2023 #68
I have done so many times, DemocraticPatriot Aug 2023 #71
Mostly no but KentuckyWoman Aug 2023 #73
It depends... róisín_dubh Aug 2023 #75
Driving a truck, you DiverDave Aug 2023 #77
Rarely DFW Aug 2023 #78
yes, if I have small bills with me. BlueWaveNeverEnd Aug 2023 #79
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