Beggars - Page 3

Sundae · 11-12-2008, 01:21 PM

Surely the bottom line is - can you afford to help?
Yes - here is $1
No - Sorry, mate

Multiply according to your status.

Why should it matter what they will spend it on? If you can spare it, then give it. If you can't, then don't.

Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Please put a penny
In the old man's hat
If you haven't got a penny
A ha'penny will do
If you haven't got a ha'penny
Then God bless you

glatt · 11-12-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I think maybe we've got a little homeless-person Bradley effect going on here.

The Cellar is either unusually generous, or I think you are right. The overwhelming majority of people (in this city anyway) just walk past homeless panhandlers as if they are part of the landscape, like a tree or fire hydrant or something. Like they are invisible. I at least make eye contact with them and answer them when they ask me for money. But somebody must be giving them money, or they probably wouldn't bother asking for it.

I think the frequency of contact with panhandlers might have something to do with it too.

There was a law passed in DC about ten years ago that said that panhandlers can't block your path when they are asking for money. It used to be they would step in front of you so you would have to walk around them. The begging was worse back then. Now at least they stay to the side.

I'm sympathetic to them and sometimes feel guilty as I walk past someone whose face clearly shows they are in a desperate situation, but that's why I give to charities that are designed to help the homeless. It eases the conscience knowing that there is food for them nearby because I've already helped pay for it. I also marched in a "help the homeless" fund raising thing a couple of weeks ago. Got a t-shirt and everything.

But there is no way I'm going to give them money so they can shoot up again.

classicman · 11-12-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

The Cellar is either unusually generous, or I think you are right.

I'm sympathetic to them and sometimes feel guilty as I walk past but that's why I give to charities that are designed to help the homeless. It eases the conscience knowing that there is food for them nearby because I've already helped pay for it.
But there is no way I'm going to give them money so they can shoot up again.

Thanks glatt - as usual you said it better than I could. I donate plenty to charities and organizations which directly help those less fortunate.

HungLikeJesus · 11-12-2008, 01:45 PM

After that thing with United Way a couple of years ago, I'd prefer to give the money directly to those in need.

jinx · 11-12-2008, 01:49 PM

I see it as 2 separate issues really, with some charities being far more manipulative and annoying than any individual beggar.

And not all beggars are less fortunate, some prefer the lifestyle they live. They don't want to "succeed" in "Babylon", they want to do their own thing. Even the conditions that the Salvation Army etc. puts on their help is too much for many - and those places are freaking creepy.

Shawnee123 · 11-12-2008, 01:55 PM

That's two good points in a row, jinx. Quit it!

Bullitt · 11-12-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jinx

I see it as 2 separate issues really, with some charities being far more manipulative and annoying than any individual beggar.

And not all beggars are less fortunate, some prefer the lifestyle they live. They don't want to "succeed" in "Babylon", they want to do their own thing. Even the conditions that the Salvation Army etc. puts on their help is too much for many - and those places are freaking creepy.

Find a reputable charity easily

lookout123 · 11-12-2008, 01:58 PM

I love beggars. They're always around and they're so handy for scraping icky stuff off the bottom of my shoes. They usually don't even wake up.

Shawnee123 · 11-12-2008, 02:00 PM

So that was YOU! I was down and out, cousin. Didja have to use me as your own personal welcome mat?

bluecuracao · 11-12-2008, 02:00 PM

Oh, how about THIS.

Let's start a fund for Cellar Alms. Next time one of us comes across a panhandler and feels the urge to give, keep it, and put it in the fund instead. If enough is built up, then whenever any of us falls on hard times and needs some help to get by, we can request some of the funds.

I think I would rather give one of you a few bucks to help pay your electric bill or get a couple of meals, instead of some guy on the street pretending to be hard up, while he's got a hunge in small bills in his pocket.

Shawnee123 · 11-12-2008, 02:02 PM

I'm skeptical. First, I need to know what a hunge is.

glatt · 11-12-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

After that thing with United Way a couple of years ago, I'd prefer to give the money directly to those in need.

Yeah, that really pissed me off. I had been donating a lot to United Way up until then.

Flint · 11-12-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I'm skeptical. First, I need to know what a hunge is.

My long-standing daily Cellar search for the term "hunge" has finally paid off!

bluecuracao · 11-12-2008, 02:06 PM

We could all use more hunge in our lives.

Shawnee123 · 11-12-2008, 02:06 PM

Puh...I gave a certain amount to UW one year, and they were to give us each a primo parking space for part of the year. I got assigned a summer part, when there are hardly any students anyway, then let a girl who had a motorcycle accident have it because she was on crutches. I won't fall for THAT again. At least if I give money to a drunk I can see the fruits of my generosity later, when he's got a bottle of Mad Dog and blurry eyes. [/totallykiddingiswear]

View Poll Results: waht do you do when confronted by a beggar?
Ignore them. Never give to them. fuck em. get a job	7	14.58%
I give pocket change if I'm feeling weak, and regret it.	3	6.25%
It depends on the beggar, mainly	17	35.42%
I follow my whims	16	33.33%
I try to give enough to make them smile	3	6.25%
I give non cash items like food, clothing or beer	8	16.67%
I dig deep	0	0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

11-12-2008, 01:45 PM	#34
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	After that thing with United Way a couple of years ago, I'd prefer to give the money directly to those in need. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

11-12-2008, 01:49 PM	#35
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	I see it as 2 separate issues really, with some charities being far more manipulative and annoying than any individual beggar. And not all beggars are less fortunate, some prefer the lifestyle they live. They don't want to "succeed" in "Babylon", they want to do their own thing. Even the conditions that the Salvation Army etc. puts on their help is too much for many - and those places are freaking creepy. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good. Last edited by jinx; 11-12-2008 at 01:55 PM.

11-12-2008, 01:55 PM	#36
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	That's two good points in a row, jinx. Quit it! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-12-2008, 01:58 PM	#38
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	I love beggars. They're always around and they're so handy for scraping icky stuff off the bottom of my shoes. They usually don't even wake up. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

11-12-2008, 01:21 PM	#31
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Surely the bottom line is - can you afford to help? Yes - here is $1 No - Sorry, mate Multiply according to your status. Why should it matter what they will spend it on? If you can spare it, then give it. If you can't, then don't. Christmas is coming The goose is getting fat Please put a penny In the old man's hat If you haven't got a penny A ha'penny will do If you haven't got a ha'penny Then God bless you

11-12-2008, 02:00 PM	#39
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	So that was YOU! I was down and out, cousin. Didja have to use me as your own personal welcome mat? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-12-2008, 02:00 PM	#40
bluecuracao in a mood, not cupcake Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3,034	Oh, how about THIS. Let's start a fund for Cellar Alms. Next time one of us comes across a panhandler and feels the urge to give, keep it, and put it in the fund instead. If enough is built up, then whenever any of us falls on hard times and needs some help to get by, we can request some of the funds. I think I would rather give one of you a few bucks to help pay your electric bill or get a couple of meals, instead of some guy on the street pretending to be hard up, while he's got a hunge in small bills in his pocket. Last edited by bluecuracao; 11-12-2008 at 02:02 PM. Reason: attempt at correct grammar

11-12-2008, 02:02 PM	#41
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I'm skeptical. First, I need to know what a hunge is. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-12-2008, 02:06 PM	#44
bluecuracao in a mood, not cupcake Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3,034	We could all use more hunge in our lives.

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