You are so stupid that it offends me.

[Gopherbassist]

I hate to see people give beggars money. The reason for this is that there are really only two kinds of beggars in the US: Those that pick out prime spots which thousands of cars will pass in a day, and bring hundreds of dollars to expensive homes with Corvettes in the driveway, and then there are those who take the money they gather and spend it on intoxicants.

Today, I saw someone hand money to one of the former. I know this, because the person begging did not even bother to wear dirty clothes or smear filth onto their exposed skin. She was wearing a brand new baseball cap, and brand new jacket, and breand new t-shirt, brand new blue jeans, and a brand new pair of the $50 shoes with the curved soles.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But Gopherbassist, what if someone invited her to their house and gave her a shower, and then gave her those nice new clothes?" And the answer is that people don't take dirty bums into their house and bathe, feed, and clothe them. And, usually if you try to do bums a favor or give them anything than money they curse you out.

I hate to see people do things so stupid and wastefull, especially to someone who's obviously pulling a scam. This really put a damper on my afternoon.

[MakiSupaStar]

So basically, in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, you've concluded that all homeless people are either scam artists or drug addicts.

[()smoke()]

I understand where you're coming from, but I disagree--there aren't only those 2 kinds of beggars, and plenty of them really do need the help

[WyrmDL]

It's the thought that counts, really.

[Gopherbassist]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

So basically, in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, you've concluded that all homeless people are either scam artists or drug addicts.

No, people that are not scam artists and drug addicts take the necessary steps to make their life better. They stay with friends and family while searching for jobs, or if things get very bad stay at homeless shelters and go to unemployment offices. People out begging aren't doing any of that.

Besides, I live in a town with a great deal of federal emplyment, more than half in fact. The economy here hasn't been affected by the economic downturn.

[Jim Nazium]

IBTL!

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Gopherbassist

No, people that are not scam artists and drug addicts take the necessary steps to make their life better.

Not necessarily. For example, what about people who suffer from mental illness?

[hbarcat]

In my experience with beggars, the best thing to do is offer to buy them a meal. The professional beggars are usually easy to spot, once you know what to look for and I refuse to give them money. Most of them make more per hour begging than I do busting my butt in a factory.

But there really is a need for compassion with the homeless who are truly hungry. While many of them are drug or alcohol addicts, there are some who are mentally ill, and many are military veterans who simply couldn't fit back into society.

That's why I offer to pay for food. Professional beggars will never accept this offer and will often curse you out as will the bums who just want money to buy booze.

But someone who is actually hungry will almost always jump at the chance. I can then go to a fast food joint or a 7-11 and spend less than $5 and he's got at least some kind of nourishment in his stomach for the day.

But the bottom line is it takes a pretty narrow-minded view to see every beggar as a scam artist. Not cool.

[tastybasslines]

I agree with the OP. Most of the former as you describe will not work for money. In the late 80's I used to offer a bum who came by our alley $10 bucks to wash my dad's car, and he wouldn't do it. $10 was alot more back then.

I have also been scammed by a black dude that used to play the trumpet by the side of the freeway. I would always give him a buck. I figured he was at least trying to entertain for it. Months later, he was exposed on the local news, and owned not 1, but 2 homes just miles away. All tax free money.

[MJ5150]

Why don't you stand out there next to the beggar with a sign of your own that says something about how the beggar standing next to you is a scammer/addict and don't give them money?

-Mike

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by Gopherbassist

I hate to see people give beggars money. The reason for this is that there are really only two kinds of beggars in the US: Those that pick out prime spots which thousands of cars will pass in a day, and bring hundreds of dollars to expensive homes with Corvettes in the driveway, and then there are those who take the money they gather and spend it on intoxicants.

Today, I saw someone hand money to one of the former. I know this, because the person begging did not even bother to wear dirty clothes or smear filth onto their exposed skin. She was wearing a brand new baseball cap, and brand new jacket, and breand new t-shirt, brand new blue jeans, and a brand new pair of the $50 shoes with the curved soles.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But Gopherbassist, what if someone invited her to their house and gave her a shower, and then gave her those nice new clothes?" And the answer is that people don't take dirty bums into their house and bathe, feed, and clothe them. And, usually if you try to do bums a favor or give them anything than money they curse you out.

I hate to see people do things so stupid and wastefull, especially to someone who's obviously pulling a scam. This really put a damper on my afternoon.

We have a rather unique service here where I live. Most places DON'T have this service. In order to relieve the burden on police, the city had set up an agency that specifically focuses on picking up those people who are publicly intoxicated and transporting them (via paddy wagon) to the jail where they stay in the "drunk tank" until sober. I spent a couple of years working as an EMT for this agency. Without going into stories and details, I can tell you from personal observation that you are 95% correct in your assessment of the situation.

The 5% that you missed is the fact that many homeless alcoholics--"bums" as they often get called--are mentally ill. Because of mental illness (I'm talking about things like schitzophrenia and other serious illnesses), many of these people are incapable of holding down jobs. Should they be allowed to roam the streets unsupervised? I think not; however, people who haven't had any first hand experience with them seem to think that "they have a right", etc. So all the laws necessary to protect the public from these folks are never passed. Whether by choice or by illness, they are a danger to themselvse and others. I agree that they shouldn't be allowed to simply roam the streets. I also agree that giving them cash is the WORST idea. The better idea is to donate money to the charities and organizations around town that help these people (e.g. soup kitches, shelters, rescue missions, etc.)

[GregC]

Yeah, making assumptions about large groups of people and then calling other people stupid because they don't do the same is not a sign of intelligence.

[Unrepresented]

Nothing says class warfare like hating beggars.

[CrispyDelicious]

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

The 5% that you missed is the fact that many homeless alcoholics--"bums" as they often get called--are mentally ill. Because of mental illness (I'm talking about things like schitzophrenia and other serious illnesses), many of these people are incapable of holding down jobs. Should they be allowed to roam the streets unsupervised? I think not; however, people who haven't had any first hand experience with them seem to think that "they have a right", etc. So all the laws necessary to protect the public from these folks are never passed.

I forget the exact dates, but somewhere in the 60's or 70's there was a movement in north america to release the mentally ill from asylums, under the belief that they were being held against their will. The result: A whole lot of mentally ill people on the street.

Read: Deinstitutionalisation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What it boiled down to is that there are two types of homeless: the lazy, and the crazy. One kind is entirely deserving of your pity. Guess which.

[SoonerMatt]

The irony in OP's thread is bordering hipster levels.

[RonGillman3]

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

I have also been scammed by a black dude that used to play the trumpet by the side of the freeway. I would always give him a buck. I figured he was at least trying to entertain for it. Months later, he was exposed on the local news, and owned not 1, but 2 homes just miles away. All tax free money.

Are you sure that wasn't just some guy playing for money and not begging? On Pearl Street in Boulder we have a lot of musicians who will play for money (like tips), a lot of them college students and teenagers.

Following up with the OP, I think there are more than just two types. I've met some guys who are truly homeless, had no family, lost their home, couldn't get a job, etc. And they were happy when I bought them a foot long sub for them and I even threw in some cash (like $3.) So not all homeless people are scammers, or rich people, some of them are homeless do to unforeseen problems.

[WalterBush]

Originally Posted by Gopherbassist

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But Gopherbassist, what if someone invited her to their house and gave her a shower, and then gave her those nice new clothes?" And the answer is that people don't take dirty bums into their house and bathe, feed, and clothe them. And, usually if you try to do bums a favor or give them anything than money they curse you out.

Yeah, they do. AA members, Christians, non-religious charitable types do it all the time. Often because someone did the same for them. They're not looking for thanks, and if they get cussed out, well, some people just won't be helped, for whatever reason.

When I lived near San Francisco, I saw plenty of the professional beggars or people looking to just get a fast buck. I also saw people who fell between the cracks, or couldn't see a way out of their situation, who had given up hope, or in some cases, needed to be locked up while their mental illness got treated. It's hard to tell which is which sometimes, and I don't think it matters much in the long run. If I've helped some scam artists over the years, I consider it worth it if even a couple of people that needed a meal, or a room for the night, or even just hope that some people can be nice and life might get better, got what they needed. YMMV.

Turning your back and assuming that every beggar is scamming doesn't help anyone accomplish anything. And giving to someone, regardless of whether one thinks the recipient deserves or needs it or not, is not a waste of money, or stupid. It's a sign of generosity, and speaks more to the giver's character than that of the person being given to.

[bassteban]

I wish I took a pic of this one awhile back- a young longhair, his sign read 'hungry hungry hippie'

[Stinsok]

If I had to do that I would also have a sign saying I need a job, would rather work for my money than beg.

[lunarpollen]

What I'd like to know is why so many of the beggars' signs appear to be written with exactly the same handwriting? And why do most of them say "GOD BLESS" on it? It's like a cliche!!!!