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People standing on the corner with signage: "Homeless - Please He (1 Viewer)

I live in the DC area and see 5-10 of these folks every day. I don't give them anything. Do the math- If a stoplight changes every 3 minutes (which is actually longer than a lot of them), it changes 20 times an hour. Figure a buck with every light change (around here there's usually 10-15 cars stopped at every light if not more). He's making $20 an hour. If he "works" there 10 hours he's making $200 a day tax free. That's $1000 a week and (potentially) $52,000 a year tax free. He's doing fine without my money.

 
Another Los Angeles story. I'm always hitting post offices after hours to serve briefs and other things with deadlines where I don't feel like waiting until the next day to get them out; I just want them done. There's a local PO where two people, a couple in their late 50s to early 60s, sit for hours after the place closes - apparently until late into the night - and have a sign talking about how they have been evicted from their apartment unconstitutionally and could really use help. The first time I saw them, I talked with them for a bit and offered them my card to call if they needed pro bono legal help. Their affect was a little off when I gave them the card, I thought, but wrote it off at the time.

They never called.

I saw them last night. Same sign, same shtick. It's been now been about three years since I offered them my card.

 
Don't really ever give money to panhandlers unless they get me with change in my pocket or they are doing something entertaining. Usually will acknowledge someone if they straight up ask me with a lie that I have no cash, that's about all I have in me.

The grumpy old man in me will occasionally think WTF when I see someone really young begging for cash.

 
No time to read entire thread, but I'll add this:

I went to college in Santa Barbara, a town that has a very large/disproportionate number of homeless folks. It's in between two huge metros (LA and San Francisco) and is a very affluent area in general. You couldn't go 5 feet without some panhandler (of varying ages) asking for a buck.

A buddy of mine got a job at a BofA right out of college and said a few "homeless" folks would come in to make deposits every day. Most of them had bank accounts in the tens of thousands, some more.

Another story: a few years ago I heard (or read) about a Houston (I think) news reporter that "under-covered" as a homeless person to see how much they could make... just standing on a corner or in the median of a busy intersection. The results were astounding: some days he'd make several hundred dollars. Doing nothing but standing there with a generic "please help" sign.

So - two things: there are programs out there to help you if you really need it.... but knowing that some of these "homeless" jackholes probably make more than I do, I'm less apt to give a flying crap. Get a job.

 
The General said:
Don't really ever give money to panhandlers unless they get me with change in my pocket or they are doing something entertaining. Usually will acknowledge someone if they straight up ask me with a lie that I have no cash, that's about all I have in me.

The grumpy old man in me will occasionally think WTF when I see someone really young begging for cash.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'll toss some coins in a guy's open guitar case if I feel compelled to do so. In essence, he is "working" for my donation... or at least more so than some schlub that made a sign.

And funny I should stumble upon this thread today. Just a few hours ago I had some college-aged kid ask me for change at a gas station as I was filling up. The old "I don't have money to get home" routine. I said no... but he probably already scoped out my car while I was inside grabbing a newspaper and saw that I had some change in the cup holder. But you gotta do better than that, chief.

 
There is this chick who is either homeless, a drifter, or just a hippie who walks around all day. She looks like an 8.5 on the offdee vagrant scale, I'm seriously thinking about asking her if she wants to get a beer next time I see her. Never seen her panhandling, holding signs, or hanging out at gas stations. I did see a red tent in the wash just off the main road through town, my first thought was it belonged to her. Heck, she could just be some college chick who took a semester off to travel the country, right? Anyone here have any experience picking up a homeless chick? Tips?

 
chauncey said:
There is this chick who is either homeless, a drifter, or just a hippie who walks around all day. She looks like an 8.5 on the offdee vagrant scale, I'm seriously thinking about asking her if she wants to get a beer next time I see her. Never seen her panhandling, holding signs, or hanging out at gas stations. I did see a red tent in the wash just off the main road through town, my first thought was it belonged to her. Heck, she could just be some college chick who took a semester off to travel the country, right? Anyone here have any experience picking up a homeless chick? Tips?
Click to expand...
Don't get stabbed?

 
Das Boot said:
chauncey said:
There is this chick who is either homeless, a drifter, or just a hippie who walks around all day. She looks like an 8.5 on the offdee vagrant scale, I'm seriously thinking about asking her if she wants to get a beer next time I see her. Never seen her panhandling, holding signs, or hanging out at gas stations. I did see a red tent in the wash just off the main road through town, my first thought was it belonged to her. Heck, she could just be some college chick who took a semester off to travel the country, right? Anyone here have any experience picking up a homeless chick? Tips?
Click to expand...
Don't get stabbed?
Click to expand...
I'd recommend using a condom, even for oral... Check for track marks.

 
(HULK) said:
I used to give these people a few bucks all the time. Then, a bit over a decade ago, I gave some money to one of these folks @ an intersection. I was going to a nearby store and pulled in, went and did my shopping. When I was coming back out of the store, I noticed the panhandler crossing over to the parking lot I had parked in. He got into a Mercedes. It wasn't brand new or anything, but I was driving a Dodge Spirit at the time and it really pissed me off. Never given a cent to anyone in an intersection since.
Click to expand...
Homeless, not carless.

 
If I see someone in need on the corner and I'm going grocery shopping, I'll buy a sandwich, a small bag of chips, and a bottled water. I rarely give money unless I see a kid involved and then I hope it is for the kid too.

 
I don't give money to the 200 lb, yoga-pant wearing wildebeest begging for money in the target parking lot but the toothless, legitimately homeless guy can usually score a buck off of me... Don't really care what he spends it on.

 
chauncey said:
There is this chick who is either homeless, a drifter, or just a hippie who walks around all day. She looks like an 8.5 on the offdee vagrant scale, I'm seriously thinking about asking her if she wants to get a beer next time I see her. Never seen her panhandling, holding signs, or hanging out at gas stations. I did see a red tent in the wash just off the main road through town, my first thought was it belonged to her. Heck, she could just be some college chick who took a semester off to travel the country, right? Anyone here have any experience picking up a homeless chick? Tips?
Click to expand...
Tell her you have a shower and a washer and dryer.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I periodically see a young lady holding up the please help sign. She wears a good pair of jean, has makeup on, hair appears washed and it's styled. First glance would be yeah right, you definitely don't look the part. But then I think well maybe she is in a woman's shelter, perhaps for abused women, and is looking for a way out somehow because you can't stay there forever. So hard to tell what is real and what is not.

 
CurlyNight said:
I periodically see a young lady holding up the please help sign. She wears a good pair of jean, has makeup on, hair appears washed and it's styled. First glance would be yeah right, you definitely don't look the part. But then I think well maybe she is in a woman's shelter, perhaps for abused women, and is looking for a way out somehow because you can't stay there forever. So hard to tell what is real and what is not.
Click to expand...
Those shelters typically have resources (and very good ones at that) to link these women up with jobs.

 
nirad3 said:
CurlyNight said:
I periodically see a young lady holding up the please help sign. She wears a good pair of jean, has makeup on, hair appears washed and it's styled. First glance would be yeah right, you definitely don't look the part. But then I think well maybe she is in a woman's shelter, perhaps for abused women, and is looking for a way out somehow because you can't stay there forever. So hard to tell what is real and what is not.
Click to expand...
Those shelters typically have resources (and very good ones at that) to link these women up with jobs.
Click to expand...
I'm a member of a "troubled" woman's forum and it's not so easy. Many have used up their time in the shelter before they can support themselves. That's one reason why some wind up back in abusive relationships because they don't have anywhere else to go.

 
CurlyNight said:
nirad3 said:
CurlyNight said:
I periodically see a young lady holding up the please help sign. She wears a good pair of jean, has makeup on, hair appears washed and it's styled. First glance would be yeah right, you definitely don't look the part. But then I think well maybe she is in a woman's shelter, perhaps for abused women, and is looking for a way out somehow because you can't stay there forever. So hard to tell what is real and what is not.
Click to expand...
Those shelters typically have resources (and very good ones at that) to link these women up with jobs.
Click to expand...
I'm a member of a "troubled" woman's forum and it's not so easy. Many have used up their time in the shelter before they can support themselves. That's one reason why some wind up back in abusive relationships because they don't have anywhere else to go.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's unfortunate. I'll admit my knowledge on this is rather limited... but what I have heard from those with much more experience than I was that most of these places do in fact have terrific outreach resources.

And that'll allow me to circle back on the issue at hand: I'm a billion percent more likely to donate to causes like this than give some drunk a buck so he can go buy a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.

 
fantasycurse42 said:
DA RAIDERS said:
Some investigative show here in LA tested out standing with a sign on a busy freeway off ramp. $200+ in 6 hours if my memory serves me right.

I never give them anything, but love offering food. 99% of the time they turn it down and act annoyed that you're trying to give them food.
Click to expand...
No way $200 in 6 hours... During the busiest part of the day on the subway (8-9:30 & 5-6:30), a panhandler with a GREAT shtick can pick up maybe $5 every 8-10 minutes... Outside of those hours, they're lucky to see $1-$2 every 8-10 minutes. There is also a time limit on this individual, I've heard great shtick, but you remember that great shtick, so when you hear it again, it's the same person and you stop donating.

Amazingly we've been turned down for food (steak, fish, potatoes, veggies), unreal!
Click to expand...
Who the heck offers a homeless person fish.

 
nirad3 said:
CurlyNight said:
nirad3 said:
CurlyNight said:
I periodically see a young lady holding up the please help sign. She wears a good pair of jean, has makeup on, hair appears washed and it's styled. First glance would be yeah right, you definitely don't look the part. But then I think well maybe she is in a woman's shelter, perhaps for abused women, and is looking for a way out somehow because you can't stay there forever. So hard to tell what is real and what is not.
Click to expand...
Those shelters typically have resources (and very good ones at that) to link these women up with jobs.
Click to expand...
I'm a member of a "troubled" woman's forum and it's not so easy. Many have used up their time in the shelter before they can support themselves. That's one reason why some wind up back in abusive relationships because they don't have anywhere else to go.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's unfortunate. I'll admit my knowledge on this is rather limited... but what I have heard from those with much more experience than I was that most of these places do in fact have terrific outreach resources.

And that'll allow me to circle back on the issue at hand: I'm a billion percent more likely to donate to causes like this than give some drunk a buck so he can go buy a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's sad. Many shelters do have programs in place to assist the transition to the real world with helping them to find a job, but while some do, just as many don't. The funds aren't there for some places. There is no mandate in place that you have to hire from these shelters, just like there isn't one for vets who come home. I know Walmart had something and some other companies were going to hire a certain percentage from the vet population but there is nothing for abused women, even low paying jobs like flipping a burger. And these women who feel like they are worthless because for years their spouses have told them that while treating them like #### are the ones who need a job, any job, the most to feel like they are worth something. What type of job isn't important. Most have never worked so they don't expect more than min wage in a not so desirable job but the increase in their self esteem and the hope they get that they can do this is priceless. I wish I owned a company so I could help in this respect. But all I can do is give support and pray they make it ok.

 
lod01 said:
tom22406 said:
I always offer food instead of money and sometimes get turned down.
Click to expand...
That's how you call their bluff.
Click to expand...
This isn't necessarily true. Used to know a couple homeless guys that used to hang out around our house in college (they were actually living under the porch until we moved in). They used to get ####loads of food, and almost always turned down our offers.

 
xulf said:
fantasycurse42 said:
DA RAIDERS said:
Some investigative show here in LA tested out standing with a sign on a busy freeway off ramp. $200+ in 6 hours if my memory serves me right.

I never give them anything, but love offering food. 99% of the time they turn it down and act annoyed that you're trying to give them food.
Click to expand...
No way $200 in 6 hours... During the busiest part of the day on the subway (8-9:30 & 5-6:30), a panhandler with a GREAT shtick can pick up maybe $5 every 8-10 minutes... Outside of those hours, they're lucky to see $1-$2 every 8-10 minutes. There is also a time limit on this individual, I've heard great shtick, but you remember that great shtick, so when you hear it again, it's the same person and you stop donating.

Amazingly we've been turned down for food (steak, fish, potatoes, veggies), unreal!
Click to expand...
Who the heck offers a homeless person fish.
Click to expand...
If they are really homeless and hungry, they'll thank you a zillion times for anything you give them. If I have a decent amount of left overs from a meal in a restaurant, I'll box it up and find someone who is hungry on the street. I'm sure they can tell from the packaging it's probably left overs but those who are really hungry will thank you and God bless you many times over. One guy was in tears. Feels real good when you can give just a little of something you take for granted to someone who is in dire need. It's temporary relief for him of course, but nonetheless, I helped him for a moment in his time and it really didn't break me.

It's the best way to weed out who is for real. Those who don't take food you really wonder how homeless they are. Maybe they are in a shelter which is better than the person who is literally on the street. That's why I do lunches to help people with these please help signs.

And Da Raiders, I don't know if it was the same show but on 20/20 they did do a speel on just how much a panhandler can make and if you are in the right spot with the right schtick, you can bring in over $100 a day. My friend's brother brings in $75 average and while he's not homeless, he is down and out. No schtick. Just looks helpless for real as he's thin as a rail and stands ALL day on different street corners. It's very tiring so he can't do it all the time. Now this is in a mostly blue collar city. People can be very generous which is great, but be aware of the real scammers for real.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
CurlyNight said:
nirad3 said:
CurlyNight said:
nirad3 said:
CurlyNight said:
I periodically see a young lady holding up the please help sign. She wears a good pair of jean, has makeup on, hair appears washed and it's styled. First glance would be yeah right, you definitely don't look the part. But then I think well maybe she is in a woman's shelter, perhaps for abused women, and is looking for a way out somehow because you can't stay there forever. So hard to tell what is real and what is not.
Click to expand...
Those shelters typically have resources (and very good ones at that) to link these women up with jobs.
Click to expand...
I'm a member of a "troubled" woman's forum and it's not so easy. Many have used up their time in the shelter before they can support themselves. That's one reason why some wind up back in abusive relationships because they don't have anywhere else to go.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's unfortunate. I'll admit my knowledge on this is rather limited... but what I have heard from those with much more experience than I was that most of these places do in fact have terrific outreach resources.

And that'll allow me to circle back on the issue at hand: I'm a billion percent more likely to donate to causes like this than give some drunk a buck so he can go buy a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's sad. Many shelters do have programs in place to assist the transition to the real world with helping them to find a job, but while some do, just as many don't. The funds aren't there for some places. There is no mandate in place that you have to hire from these shelters, just like there isn't one for vets who come home. I know Walmart had something and some other companies were going to hire a certain percentage from the vet population but there is nothing for abused women, even low paying jobs like flipping a burger. And these women who feel like they are worthless because for years their spouses have told them that while treating them like #### are the ones who need a job, any job, the most to feel like they are worth something. What type of job isn't important. Most have never worked so they don't expect more than min wage in a not so desirable job but the increase in their self esteem and the hope they get that they can do this is priceless. I wish I owned a company so I could help in this respect. But all I can do is give support and pray they make it ok.
Click to expand...
And I will add that with all this technology taking over the routine mundane jobs, I don't see it getting better for them. Some fast food places are talking about using the self service machine to place/pay for your order so they could have 1 person overseeing the front and just workers making the food. I hope it doesn't happen but I don't see how it won't be common down the road. I never thought there would be a self checkout in Safeway years ago when someone was talking about it in some futuristic book I was reading, but here we are!

 
There were a couple of guys holding signs at one of the usual spots around here a couple of days ago. Usually, the people just stand there, but these guys were going down the line of cars at the red light. I was pretty annoyed, since they were both young and dressed much better than I was, so I stared ahead so as to not make eye contact. I caught one of the signs as I was driving off... turns out they were college fraternity kids raising money for a local youth charity.

:bag: Oops. I blame the fakers that are usually out there.

 
So, its like 0 degrees here today with a decent wind outside, blowing snow and its cold. Saw a guy standing at a light today when I went to the store. About 30 minutes later when I came back around, he was gone. Was this guy legitimately homeless or no? Seems kind of dumb if "panhandling" is your job to do it when it is weather like this. Thought it was eye opening to see they guy standing there to begin with.

 
DA RAIDERS said:
$20 bucks buys enough heroin to be high for a while.
Click to expand...
More like enough to not be sick for awhile.

Little in life infuriates me like the fake homeless panhandlers. There are people who really are homeless and mentally ill and need the help. These other #######s not only often end up taking money/meals/booze out of the pockets of those who need it, but probably more significantly, they make many people just blow by all of them because there's no way to tell and people don't like being scammed. There's a guy on my way to work I suspect falls into that category. I'm tempted to follow him.

 
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Donkey Derp said:
The only problem is if it attracts more homeless and panhandlers to the city
Click to expand...
Does it, though?

Some nonanecdotal information would be prefered to back up that assertation.

But the easiest way to counter that would be similar programs elsewhere.

And as for who should pay for it: cui bono?

 
I must say that in Spokane it has gotten much worse. It is almost as bad here as it is on a typical street corner in a Mexican city.

 
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