How do you handle street people asking for money?

[BRD@66]

Wow! Some of you curmudgeons make me feel like a lib.., er, progressive.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

One's I take greatest exception to are those who try to hit you up at the gas pump. The stop light panhandler's I just ignore.

Around here, with freeway access readily available as a getaway, it's become a dangerous practice to let anyone near you when filling up, and you better lock your vehicle when doing so.

I pocket carry, so routinely put my hand in that pocket, with my head on a swivel when pumping gas. When approached, which is quite frequent on just about any freeway access road in Houston, put up my free hand palm out and simply say: "you need to stop right there".

That said, back in the recording studio days a guy, homeless, harmless and obviously mentally effected, lived under a tree in esplanade near the intersection of Montrose and Welch in Houston.

I used to drop off a hamburger to him when coming back from lunch. Got to be where many folks did the same thing. He became an unsaid "project" from many who lived and worked in the area.

A big difference in my mind ...

I generally jam my shirt in back of OWB holster so that gun is visible when getting gas.

 

[Hoji]

One's I take greatest exception to are those who try to hit you up at the gas pump. The stop light panhandler's I just ignore.

Around here, with freeway access readily available as a getaway, it's become a dangerous practice to let anyone near you when filling up, and you better lock your vehicle when doing so.

I pocket carry, so routinely put my hand in that pocket, with my head on a swivel when pumping gas. When approached, which is quite frequent on just about any freeway access road in Houston, put up my free hand palm out and simply say: "you need to stop right there".

That said, back in the recording studio days a guy, homeless, harmless and obviously mentally effected, lived under a tree in esplanade near the intersection of Montrose and Welch in Houston.

I used to drop off a hamburger to him when coming back from lunch. Got to be where many folks did the same thing. He became an unsaid "project" from many who lived and worked in the area.

A big difference in my mind ...

If I know I will have to fill up at night I will OC. Works like a charm as a repellent.

 

[karlac]

Wow! Some of you curmudgeons make me feel like a lib.., er, progressive.

Hey ... we gotta think "equalizer".

Practically speaking, many of us curmudgeons, despite what our minds tell us, would likely play hell fighting our way out of a paper bag.

 

[avvidclif]

Easy to criticize others. Requires no real expense of any type. No investment of time or effort.

More difficult to try and understand what led them to where they are. I have known some good people who fell into homelessness. People who had been successful most of their lives. The illness/depression that caused the fall was the same thing that put them in a condition where - as some folks would say - they weren't "willing to help themselves." If they were mentally well enough to help themselves when on the street, they never would have been on the street to begin with.

Some are not ill, but have made poor choices and lack work ethic. I'm not going to knowingly fund someone's drug or alcohol addiction.

Some are scam artists. I'm not going to knowingly fund their chosen "occupation".

Some have real problems and have not found help. I will try to do what I can without supporting their destructive habits, which is why I always try to steer them to a church ministry for help. Don't do this as nearly much as I should, though.

They are all human beings. And there, but by the grace of God, go I...

How about "But for the grace of God, go I"

 

[AustinN4]

How about "But for the grace of God, go I"

I agree with that, but it doesn't mean I have to put up with aggressive or lying (will work for food, etc) panhandlers.

 

[oldag]

How about "But for the grace of God, go I"

I would compromise on "But for the grace of God, there go I"

 

[oldag]

I agree with that, but it doesn't mean I have to put up with aggressive or lying (will work for food, etc) panhandlers.

Don't recall seeing anyone posting that you should.

 

[AustinN4]

Don't recall seeing anyone posting that you should.

Just stating my opinion, sorry you were offended.

 

[diesel1959]

Wow! Some of you curmudgeons make me feel like a lib.., er, progressive.

Everyone walks their own path and answers to their own muse. I just refuse to be solicited.

 

[diesel1959]

I would compromise on "But for the grace of God, there go I"

Or how about, "There, but for the grace of God, go I".

 

[Charlie]

Every day I am thankful that I don't live is a large city (anymore)!

 

[BillFairbanks]

I was at a corporate trade show in Houston with about a dozen coworkers. We were eating at a Mexican restaurant downtown. A homeless woman in a wheelchair hit my coworker up for cash. He offered to buy her a meal. He got a table for her and her male companion. Once seated she started to yell strange and offensive things towards the Good Samaritan and our table. Finally the restaurant brought out their food to go and they were escorted out to the applause of the rest of the restaurant.


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[ZX9RCAM]

As they say, no good deed.....

 

[DD130]

Your profile says you are in San Antonio. Are you saying SA isn't a liberal city?

ROFL, I live on farmlands near the N.B. airport. I try to void both S.A. and Austin as much as I possibly can, but I work in Austin so...... I don't have that going for me...

 

[DD130]

Beggars seem to hang around outside my favorite taqueria and they approach either before you go in or after you come out, asking for money. I just reply, "I ain't got nothing for you", and then I move along.

That's exactly my reply. I'm pretty sure I'm 100% immune to even the most advanced bumming tactics after years of daily interactions... they can get pretty creative. Last year during MotoGP some out-of-towners were just DYING to go into Austin.. :/ We had one bum lady actively block on of my pals and scream at him to give her some money. Little did she know he was from S.F. and thus had a 5th degree blackbelt in BumFu...

They aren't getting ANYTHING out of me, but I still hate having to deal with any of that BS at all. I work my ass off for what little I have... if I'm in a generous mood it will not be due to harassment from some drunken, high, insane, bum.

 

[oldag]

Just stating my opinion, sorry you were offended.

Offended? Didn't even register on the perturbed meter.

 

[Orbie]

Don’t forget that if you really want to help, you can donate your time at a shelter. Making hot meals, sorting children’s toys, separating clothes, etc.

I refuse to hand out money.

 

[AustinN4]

Don’t forget that if you really want to help, you can donate your time at a shelter. Making hot meals, sorting children’s toys, separating clothes, etc.

Which I have done.

 

[Gilbertc13]

Growing up in the suburbs of Boston I’d always see lots of homeless. It was right where the subway line started. Instead of money I’d have a few Dunkin donuts gift cards. People would come up and ask for money, I’d offer them a gift card instead. You’d be surprised at how many would say no to the gift card. Now living in a Houston “suburb” with lots of homeless I gave up on the gift card idea. Usually I just brush past them


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