What did I do wrong?

[ChrisB2]

To someone begging on the street? It's one penny over zero. If you want something for nothing, anything over nothing shouldn't insult you.

Honestly, can you see yourself giving a panhandler one penny?

 

[guy n. cognito]

Honestly, can you see yourself giving a panhandler one penny?

Nope, but I never give money to panhandlers. Ever.

Should a panhandler have the right to call me names because I give them nothing?

 

[INTP]

Wasn't kidding about the "consider yourself lucky". I think they're in the finals with Chicago for the playoffs in December's "USA's Deadliest City Championship". Here's this morning's activity and comments. Maybe it was those dern statues making comments again or something.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But wait! There's more including bonus footage of the perp and a "reporter" calling a magazine a clip. This one from this afternoon near the French Quarter, close to where our OP was.
Camera captures 'kid' with gun in afternoon shootout

I remember the same stories about NOLA when I visited there circa 1990. I couldn't google it then, but I recall being told that a mugging could easily turn fatal. I'm not saying it isn't worse now, but it's certainly not NEW.

 

[geeza]

Did you go back and pick up your money?

 

[D M C]

That's bazaar

That's bizarre. (God, I hate myself for this. I just can't help it.)

 

[paytojt]

Did you go back and pick up your money?

Thought about it, but my wife was already ahead of me. I actually wanted to see why he called me that. Lots of witnesses around if it got ugly, but whatever.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Those "witnesses" disappear fast after the crap hits the fan.

I usually avoid panhandlers altogether

The only time I've given is when they're honest & tell me they're going to spend it on booze.

 

[Misfit]

You'll never know since you didn't ask them. You should have. "Aren't you playing for donations?" would have sufficed.

 

[rtslinger]

That certainly was a strange story.