Oldbluered
Active Member
Probably get the same reaction in Austin, I have. Over 50% of "homeless" I've seen asking for money just want the cash. The wife and I would offer to buy them some food and say we had no cash but they would just get belligerent and basically demand money. They'd talk shit, I'd talk shit and offer to fight it out. The wife gets mad, do on and so forth. The next one I see asking accepts the offer of food, very thankful for the food and gets some cash too. I don't mind giving a hand up or some help to the less fortunate but if they're cracked out or a pos I'd rather light my money on fire.Once I was in a downtown area with a group for a tour. Since we were early we went to a nearby fast food place and en route we were approached by a panhandler. He asked for money to buy food because he had not eaten in days. I said he was in luck because we were going to buy breakfast and I would buy it for him. He declined preferring cash. I offered to buy him two breakfasts. Again, he declined and even began to demand cash. I told him I would be remiss if I just gave him cash which he might use for drugs. He said he was not a addict just a drunk. After I told him, alcohol was a drug too he just cussed me out and walked off.
This was over 25 years ago but not in Austin. It was across the street from the J. Edgar Hoover building - FBI HQ - in Washington, DC. But I have a $20 that says I would have the same result in Austin, especially if I offer them Goya foods.