Quote:
Originally Posted by SquidGirl
Last time I was in Edinburgh, Scotland, I was waiting for the public transit coach when a guy kept hovering around, asking us to move. He was picking up the cigarette butts off the ground, from under our feet, and using the remains to make his own ciggy's. When I got back to my friends house I told them because I had never seen it before and they said it's actually pretty common due to the high cost of cigarettes. I thought he was a beggar and I was pretty close to just taking him to the damn store and buying him a pack myself (and I'm a non-smoker).
I've also heard stories of beggars in NY making a killing on the streets who have a pretty high incomes so at the end of the day they would walk around the corner and get into their new sports car. I don't know if that ones true....
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My sister lived in Manhattan for a few years, and yes, that is true. A begger was asking my mom for money once when we visited, and there was a cop on the street who came over and warned her about him. Apparently he was a millionaire (this was back in the early 80s) who begged in his spare time. go figure, huh?
I don't see too many beggers where I live now (Savannah GA), but when I lived in Los Angeles, they were everywhere. I would never give money to someone who was young and obviously capable of working. I used my judgement. There were certain people around Venice to whom I always gave money. There was this Veitnam Vet who hung out by the library or the post office. I always gave him a few bucks or would bring him some food. There was this little lady who hung at the same place, I usually gave her money as well. I NEVER would buy alcohol for them, but many times if I was headed into the store, I would ask what they liked and I would buy it for them. A burrito, or an an apple or banana. Young kids with attitude, I handed out advice, like get a job.
I understand some of those people, especially kids, choose to live on the streets. They squat in houses, so they have no rent or bills to pay. I'm not going to support them when they are capable of working, and they are, they just like being underground. People who were willing to do something for change, like wash your car windows, I would generally give them some money. I never, ever just completely ignored them though. I always looked them in the eye, and tried to treat them with respect. Not all street people are there by choice. And I think they really appreciate it when you take the time to talk to them, and don't just pretend they aren't there. And sometimes I simply didn't have the money to spare. At first it make me feel guilty to not give them money, but I got over it pretty quick, especially when they give you attitude if you don't give them anything.