Panhandling
By arvee17
@arvee17 (730)
Philippines
December 9, 2006 8:31am CST
Panhandling
This is my experience with a "homeless" man carrying a large "Will Work for Food" sign. He was living in the bushes behind my husband's place of employment. When police arrested him for trespassing and vagrancy, they found $1000 in cash in his pockets. He told the police he had made the money by standing at a busy intersection in town with one of those signs. He also said he could never do as well working, because he takes in $500 to $600 a day just holding up that sign. Think about this: If one person gave you a dollar every time the car had to stop, and the signal changed 30 times an hour, and you stood there for 8 hours a day, you could probably make $240 a day. Realistically the figures are probably much higher. I recently saw a family (a mother, a father, and three young children) standing at a busy intersection holding these "homeless" signs. Not only is this activity dangerous, it's also emotional blackmail.
2 people like this
6 responses
@mansha (6298)
• India
7 Feb 07
well at my mom's house one very old man used to come once a week on wednesday to beg for food. One day I asked him to come everyday and I will keep food for him daily. he was so old, so I thought I should help him out more. He rebuked me very rudely saying " Don't I have other places to go, how can I come daily, I have fixed houses. " and left. I just didn't knew whether to laugh or be angry at being so dumb. He was a professional through and through-begging was his work and he was happily earning quite a sum from it as my neighbours always gave him money and we gave him food, I guess that pretty must be the situation everywher he goes to. Begging is a full time job these days only thing it lacks proper offices, lol.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
7 Feb 07
I live about 35 minutes from Washington DC and travel to Baltimore Maryland as well. I see these people out all the time with signs. I've even seen some on the side of the road in wheelchairs panhandling. I've always wondered are these people really in need or just playing.
Most the time, if I have some change or something I will give it to them...I just look at it as a good deed.
However, people such as the man who had $1000, he needed to be locked up...Those people really make it bad for people who really are in need. People like us who want to give or help feel iffy about it...sorta like the good suffering with the bad..
It's a shame people have to be like that...
1 person likes this
@TasksGirl (216)
• United States
10 Dec 06
Well in L.A. California where there is homeless everywhere - hardly anyone gives money - so hardly anyone has even $1
1 person likes this
@chinitha_amy (79)
• Philippines
9 Dec 06
can't help them from doing that! that is the only thing they know...
1 person likes this
@doodlebug5250603 (1993)
• United States
25 Jan 07
I live here in south carolina. and i see alot of those people. all it is is people who are too lazy to work themselves. when i was pulling out of walmart i saw one leave the corner and get into his car. man he had a nice car. alot nicer than mine. and i think that sucks, b/c my hubby and i have worked hard for what we have. those people just want easy ways out. thats all
1 person likes this
