If you see someone begging for money on the street how do you react?
By whywiki
@whywiki (6066)
Canada
April 23, 2007 3:35pm CST
I admit that when I see them and I am in a bad mood I will cross the street to avoid them. Other times I politely tell them I have no spare change. Some times I ignore them and pretend I didn't hear them. Other times I will spare some change. I guess it depends on my mood. I know people who always give, and some who never give but just get annoyed. My dad carries dog treats on him and if they have a dog he gives the dog treats. I'm just wondering how others react to this.
5 people like this
39 responses
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I haven't run into this for sometime now, but when I did I would give them any spare change I may have had in my purse or pocket. If they were near a restaurant I would take them in and buy them something to eat so at least they would have one decent meal in their day. After awhile I became friends with some of them, and ended up helping them turn their lives around. And a couple of them I still keep in contact with, and they constantly tell me how much it was a blessing to them to have someone care enough to help them out.
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
23 Apr 07
That's always been a trait of mine, to look through the bad and see the good in everyone. Sure there are a few out there that are just wanting that easy buck or two, but who am I to judge them for it. There are still many homeless persons that really are looking for someone to reach out to them and help them, that just need that extra boost to get them going again in a better direction. Sometimes all it takes is one person, while with others it may take more than one person, but no matter what I have always thought of it as: What if I was in this situation, and was truly looking for someone to turn to, to help me and no one would help, because of preconceived notions that have already been made about the homeless? I know I would be let down and start to think that no one cares anymore about people who have fallen on hard times. And some really do need the extra help, we don't know what causes these people to be out their on the streets begging for money, unless we take some time out of schedule to actually get to know these people and listen to them.
1 person likes this
@arsena (293)
• Germany
24 Apr 07
Depends on the person who begs. I think this is also an "art", to beg, to convince the others that you really need money, and you are really desperate and so fort. I remember last week-end I met an homeless guy in the underground of Berlin. He was selling a newspaper made specially for homeless people that they can sell it and gain some money to leave. Of course, nobody is buying that news paper. and the guy was looking so desperate , almost crying, totally lost that he didn't have to say a word and I gave give some money. It doesn't mater that was faking it or not but in that moment I really felt that I have to help him somehow.
@patricia24 (568)
• Philippines
24 Apr 07
Whenever is see someone begging for money, i will look for my coins, if donmt see one, i say i cant give them but if i see one ill give it to them. It's really bad to give them a dog treats, you may ignored them and not give them money, just dont give them that.
@forestguard (59)
• Philippines
24 Apr 07
to be honest, i am an active member of a protestant church where giving is one of the teaching as CHRIST does.but honestly, i dont give give to beggars.
in my perspective, i am spoiling these people beg all their life. i rather give give to charitable institutions.
@fellowlife (988)
• Nigeria
23 Apr 07
well i do give some of them money but for others i avoid them. If i notice that your 2 arms and legs are okay and also healthwise you are okay i would not bother giving you anything cause i beleive you could get to do something with your life.
But if i notice that the person is handicapped then i would go ahead and give the person whatever i have
@cabergren (1181)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I usually don't give them money. I guess I look at it that I work hard for my money and I don't like to give away to strangers. I am very generous to family and friends, but to strangers who are begging for money I have a problem with.
@mariyamaka (931)
• India
24 Apr 07
Friend in india you will find beggers at every hook and corner of the streetss,on every signal and outside resturants!!! most of the people give.. even we give but i feel its wrong as some of the beggers are young girls/boys or kids there are old people too, its ok to give old but not to young kids as we should not encourage them.. they can work as in india its very easy to get labour! and you will be amazed to see small kids too.. this kids cannot work as government has recently started prohibition of child labour!! and there parents cannot afford school... government should really think about this issue. sorry for getting diverted from your topic i was trying to show you image of indian beggers!! its so pityfull that i normally give and my hubby carries srare coins just to give if any begger come acrosss!
@mariyamaka (931)
• India
26 Apr 07
exactly... those poor cannot even work and pay school fees! there are many night schools in india but now since they cant work thet cannot afford schools! and thanks for best response!
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
24 Apr 07
I have seen documentaries on India where it shows the beggars on the streets. It is heartbreaking to see. I understand the child labour laws of this country but when you are dealing with kids that can't afford school and to eat, they should be allowed to work. Sometimes governments think they are protecting when they are actually harming society.
@smartmom (826)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I worked in New York for a while, and I was working so hard or little pay, and we could not even afford to live on our own, so I quickly became immune to all the beggars. I feel it is different though, if someone offrs a service though. I just love the people, who play music in the subway, and sometimes I would give them a few coins - but I never had much to give - I did not even eat lunch, when I worked in the city.
Now that I have moved, I feel how this view has sticked with me. Of course, my family still lives from pay check to pay check, and still do not have insurance, so I do not feel that I am in any place, where I can give away money, if I cannot even afford to insure my family.
@lovelydame3000 (1577)
• India
17 May 07
Hi whywiki! I hate healthy people who are capable of doing work beg on the street because they like the easy way out. If i see someone who really is not capable of making a livilihood i give money or buy food. Otherwise i normally give a cold shoulder.
@dilshadmalik (25)
• Pakistan
24 Apr 07
if someone bagging in the street then first of all i see that this person is really deserved then i would give the money.if its not then ignored this one.
@tambdy (1967)
•
24 Apr 07
If i know that they are begging for drink then i wont give them anything, but that is how one of them tried to stab me.
If i dont have any money with me i cross the road if i know they are really up against it as i hate saying know, there was this one guy at my old work who would always be looking through the bins for food and would never ask for a thing.
He was nice and polite but was treating like rubbish from someones shoe, i used to make him a piece and give him a packet of crisps in the morning and sometimes a couple of pounds for his cigs.
All homeless are not bad and i seen a shoe when a homeless man who had lost all his business was trying so hard to get out of the streets.
Every morning a van would come round with soup and as everyone else is taking 3 and 4 he took one cup and was happy, he could not get benefit as he has no fixed address.
@thanuarun (290)
• India
24 Apr 07
i feel pitty but i wont give because they dont get the money its a maphiya...now a days it became the richest maphiya..if we gave something they will come tomorrow,for that they need more childrens..they will make wounds on their body and sending for ugging its too sad isn't it? if we stop givng this the maphiya also stop kidnapping childrens and stops making wounds in their body....!!!pls stop giving...they will get lazy too..they wont do any work..
@thai11 (239)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I have gone through both actions that you described! I have worked in a couple of soup kitchens and have heard some stories as to why people became homeless and that helped change my view. Some people are truly victims of circumstance while others are not. Follow your heart, if your heart directs you to give then give, if not, don't. I believe that what comes around goes around, so I think that if I am generous then I will recieve what I gave back, maybe 10 times more!!
@Allieloopy (84)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I wish I was the type of person who always thinks the best of others. With a sister who has a borderline personality disorder, it is a constant struggle not to judge. A lot of these people seem whole and healthy but are mentally unable to cope with everyday life.
We as a society do not take enough care of our mentally disabled.
But my evil twin thinks,"I have to work. I have to get up every morning, pay bills, fight to stay afloat and no one helps me. So why can't they do it too?"As a rule though I never give money. I used to work at a Christian book distributor and we would get people asking for money all the time. Our owner would offer them a job and they turned him down every single time. So my evil twin wins.
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
13 Aug 08
If I have money on me I give them some of it, as I have been in that situation myself. I don't care what they spend it on. I used to panhandle so I could buy LSD. People take life so phucking seriously.
@misterevil (47)
•
14 Aug 08
If it is a pretty young girl, usually I find she can be pressed into service. I am sure you know what I mean. Occasionally I will buy a good looking boy for my daughters. This is a good solution as everybody gains.
