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How do you respond to panhandlers? Do you 'donate'? or Do you ignore them?

Some panhandlers are quite aggressive, others are selling their talents, singing, playing an instrument, etc.

Some are down on their luck, others want to get high.

What do you do when approached by panhandlers?
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good buskers/street entertainers I always tip, if I stop and listen. Hell at Pikes Market, in Seattle, a few of us even joined in. Obvious drunks and addicts I have bought food for, and aggressive bums I just ignore. If a beggar looks like they are physically disabled I tend to give more to.

There aren't too many beggars here, at least not like what you see at home, but you often see begging monks at intersections. I was told to avoid them as they are often scammers.

   

I say sorry I have no change as I walk by with the sound of change jingling in my pocket.

I did give a very old man in a wheel chair 10 dollars near christmas one time though. That was the only time I gave out money. I'll offer to buy them food when I see the "I'm hungry" sign. Some of them insist and rather rudely I might add "just give me some fucking change man".

One time I saw a dude with no pants on in January, I went and bought him a pair cheap jogging sweats. Hindsight tells me it might of been a sympathy scam for money. I should of went back an hour later to see if he was wearing them.

   

If I have change, I almost always give it to someone who asks.

First of all, I believe in karma...the day might come when I have to rely on the kindness of strangers to survive.

Even if the panhandler is a drug addict or an alcoholic, it doesn't matter to me, I'm not going to be broke by giving a bit of money every now and then. It's not as if I'm asked for money everyday. In fact, it sort of feels good to share my good luck.

I'd rather give than have people in need, whatever the need, go out and steal to get what they want/need.

   

Your not helping anything if your just feeding a habit.
I do not give to panhandelers period, buskers or performers I will (except at the train station cause I know the city pays those ones).
Wanna do some good with your change, put it in a jar, when the jar is full donate it to the local shelter wher you KNOW it will buy food or clothing or blankets ect... There was an interesting article in the Herald written by an ex panhandeler/homeless man. He used outreach programs to get off drugs and get a job/apartment, it claimes that 85-90% of the time your feeding a habit ewhen you give to panhandelers.

   

As others have said, donate your money to established charities or shelters. Giving directly to panhandlers is just contributing to a cycle of addiction and dependence.

   

I probably am feeding a habit but then, that is only an assumption.

My donation may stop this person from having to steal to support his/her habit.

   

It won't stop them from stealing, nor do anything to break their habit.

   

I'm not trying to get them to break their habit, that would be impossible.

Anyway, I don't get approached on a daily basis and the few times that I do give isn't going to render me broke.

It's charity, afterall.

   

It's been done by many before, thus it is not impossible.


Whatever makes you feel good I guess. Contributing to an addiction is not my cup of tea.

   

I walked out of Earls Restaurant with some leftovers, a guy asked for them, I was happy to give them to him. Money is a different story...I'd rather donate to 'meals on wheels' or some other charity that tries to help them.

   

Of course it has, what I meant was it would be impossible for me to get them to break their habit. That would be up to themselves.

As well, I don't believe that all panhandlers are addicts.

   

"No money for you" and I never apologize to them for it. I don't consider buskers and street entertainers to be in the same group.

   

Panhandlers, I just look then in the eye and say no. If I'm feeling loquatious, I tell them I can't afford good drugs, why should I help them buy theirs? Somebody who looks like they're starving and asking for food, I'll buy em a hamburger or such. (Some appreciate it, some throw it away) Buskers, I'll give if they're good.

   

Buskers and street entertainers give you something for your money, whereas panhandlers just sit and expect your money. This being said, buskers may have an addiction issue but how many entertainers don 't?

   

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