Bums/Panhandlers?

[Deanimator]

Yeah, simple. Don't acknowledge their presence. Keep moving until you get where you are going.

It's what I do and 99% of the time it works. When it doesn't they're crossing the line between panhandling and crime.

 

[EHL]

I get my hand on my firearm before they even get to me. I usually spot them eyeballing me from a distance. When they start approaching me, it gets me thinking that they want something from me, perhaps it's only for some loose change but perhaps something more... Either way, I'm not chancing it. They usually get nervous seeing me with one hand out of direct view. (I think they worry about somebody being armed as well) They usually don't ask again after I tell them "I don't carry cash". If that doesn't work you might try paying them "three fitty"(sic) to leave you alone. I seem to recall that sum has worked before on other troublesome characters.....

 

[X-Rap]

I hate to reduce people to that of wild animals but by their actions they have done so themselves. Why are we surprised when we get aggressive behavior from withholding the reward from a panhandler when he has been conditioned by so many do gooders to expect it. They don't know the difference nor do they care who we are only that we are the hosts of their parasitic lifestyle and when it is no longer supported we become the target of their attacks.
Take note because these are the canaries in the coal mine and when things get worse and more of those on the dole who don't want to or can't fend for themselves are cut off the conditions will get worse. Be ready to expect more vicious behavior on the street and watch for signs that it might be time to find a friendlier place to live.

 

[7.62 Nato]

When they ask me " You got change ?" I just say "You must have me confused with Obama". Most of them don't even get it.

 

[fireside44]

It's what I do and 99% of the time it works. When it doesn't they're crossing the line between panhandling and crime.

It seems to me that a lot of people here (and elsewhere) want to get their two cents in with these people while at the same time being able to avoid them. "I don't give money to panhandlers" blah blah blah, but still, they acknowledge their presence by saying "no" or any number of responses.

Acknowledging the presence of a street person is the most assured way of drawing them to yourself even if you only say "no". Once you've made eye contact or spoken, it's too late. Telling someone "no" just sets yourself up for a rebuttal as you now have a conversation running.

Refusing to acknowledge their presence leaves them thinking that they weren't heard or seen. Only very rarely will a bum accost someone for not responding, and usually that is only by hollering.

Either give generously from the heart or pretend as though they were never there. Three pages of explanation here is why so many have problems out there. Easy enough.

 

[mgmorden]

Alcohol on the breath and I just keep walking.

You know one of the few bums I've ever actually given money to was like this. It was in downtown Atlanta (I go there one weekend per year and must say, it has the most bums I've ever seen) - I was walking by a liquor store and this older guy was standing there and flat out said "Sir, I'm an alchoholic and haven't had a drink in a while. Would you mind helping out?". I gave him $5 for being honest about it .

In general though I just ignore them. Only had one scary incident. GA doesn't reciprocate with SC for carry permits so I usually have a knife only on me down there. One evening I was walking back to my hotel and I didn't even have the knife on me. I was going down one street and noticed a rougher looking fella walking towards about 80 yards away. I needed to cross anyways (and there was no traffic), so I went ahead and crossed the street. Then HE crossed the street too. About as nervous as I could be, I instinctively put my hand in my pocket to find my knife - though it wasn't there. I think he saw my hand go in my pocket though. He stopped about 15 feet from me and said something to the effect of "Just letting you know before you blow me away or something, I'm just asking for some help". Still asked for money, and still didn't get it, but though I think he was under the impression that I was armed.

 

[TexasRedneck]

One nice thing about being in a CHL state is that the "bluff" option IS there. Have used it myself, coming out from a meeting in the State Capitol late, little punk and a bud tried to bracket me, talking "stuff" and trying to work themselves up - I focused in on the biggest mouth, dropped a hand under my jacket and behind my back, telling him "friend, I'd walk away before I got a bad stomach-ache if I were you." Thankfully, it worked - but figured I had nothing to lose.

 

[Hatterasguy]

I never had a problem dealing with them, I simply say sorry I don't have any money, ignore whatever else they say and walk away.

 

[wishin]

"friend, I'd walk away before I got a bad stomach-ache if I were you."

Priceless! Almost as good as "make my day".

 

[Dumptruck]

"Hey buddy! You got any change?"

"Change comes from within."

*confuses the hobo; I keep walking*

 

[Cards81fan]

I only gave once. I entered a car wash and a guy (whose two kids were waiting with him) offered to wash the car for me for a couple bucks so he could buy lunch for his kids. I plugged the machine with a few quarters and he worked his butt off scrubbing my truck.

I gave him a 5 dollar bill and one of completed Sub Club cards (with the stamps). He very graciously thanked me and immediately took his two kids to the Subway across the street and bought them lunch.

Of course, this guy didn't panhandle per se, but offered to work for some cash, which is a bit more admirable.

But to answer the OP's question, I treat all panhandlers as a potential threat, and keep condition yellow. The usually trey to make small talk, asking how I'm doing. I tell them, "Flipping terrible, what do you want?" Catches them so off guard they usually never bother asking for anything.

 

[rainbowbob]

...this guy didn't panhandle per se, but offered to work for some cash, which is a bit more admirable

He not only didn't panhandle "per se" - he didn't panhandle in any way, shape, or form. A "bit more admirable"? What could be possibly be MORE admirable than a willingess to work his butt off to feed his kids?

"Change comes from within."

That's GOOD!

 

[X-Rap]

Aside from laying in ambush in the wash bay and using another mans facility to enhance his income I guess he did OK.
I would have been pissed if that guy would have approached my daughter, wife, or mother that way.

 

[TexasRedneck]

I can guarantee you that a guy that made that kind of offer and then took his kids to eat as promise would've gotten a free ride to the nearest grocery store and gotten at LEAST $50 worth of grocery shopping. THAT guy is one that DID need help - and he'd get it in spades.

 

[CJ Mehnie]

Rusty, what do you think about maintaining a good gate and speed as you walk by those folks. If their goal would be to present a weapon to force you to comply, you might be too far away from them by the time they got their weapon into play or even considered it. I assume your encounters are in public around others. I have encountered so many panhandlers. I use all the common sense approaches but add speed to just make it too much work to engage. In my area, panhandlers that you see are "handled" by others and must pay up to their handler. Here we get then at roadside on corners at semiphores. What a pain. CJ

 

[Spencer_OKC]

There is no love or charity in helping an addict to kill himself. If you love your fellow man you won't help him to harm himself. If you want to help these people then give money to established charities.

It makes us all feel better to think it is a scam, or as Bushmaster says, to yell at them to get a job... Just FYI, we are ALL one catastrophe away from being homeless, whether it is losing our job or getting into a serious wreck and not being able to work or what-have-you.

Homeless & transient beggar conman are two different things. The chronically homeless are not "down on their luck". I've worked inner city mission districts, and these people are scammers, drug addicts, and the mentally ill. Often times they are unstable and dangerous.

There are established charities to help these people, and that is were good citizens should focus their resources. The help they need is at the local shelter & mission, not at the end of a needle they load with your spare change.

 

[Ronsch]

I do not like the comparison that we are all "one paycheck...yada, yada" from being homeless. I raised both of my children as a single parent from ages 14 months (son) and 4 years (daughter) until I remarried in 2003 (son was 7 then and daughter was 10.) I tell people that I would never have sunk that low to be homeless. I worked 2 and 1/2 jobs to provide for them. It was very, very hard. I like to think my pride would have not me do anything less.

 

[Autolycus]

Well I am a believer in charity and will buy people a meal if they need. I think that as a FreeMason it is something that I am obligated to do. I feel that it is the right and moral thing to do. I will not buy them alchol or drugs. However if there is no other option some change and a few bucks won't hurt them. Either way I feel it is my duty to humanity to help those who are down on their luck. Even if they are pretending to be, I can't necessarily prove it so I just take the change. God will reward me for it is what I believe.

However if I feel threatened I will continue to walk on by or drive by if that is the case. Since CCW is a no-no in this state I just practice situational awareness. But this has only happened once.

 

[fireside44]

There is no love or charity in helping an addict to kill himself.

Proverbs 31:6

"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts."

I've worked inner city mission districts, and these people are scammers, drug addicts, and the mentally ill. Often times they are unstable and dangerous.

Ah, the often repeated mantra that mentally ill people are dangerous, when exactly the opposite is more true. Kind of reminds me of the way gun owners are all labeled these days as "extremists" when again, the opposite is true.

 

[GEM]

I have to share this. Years ago, I need a typewriter for school - that's was a way back. So they are expensive. My uncle says - hey, I can get you a great one, cheap (hmm!). He was a shady guy from NJ. So he and my dad (both reasonable tough guys in their time) plus moi, get in Uncle's car to get the typewriter in some East Side of NYC warehouse district at night. We get the typewriter.

At an intersection, a bum (as called in those days) comes up to Uncle's window. He asks for a handout. Unk says - Get out of here you bum. I work for a living. This makes my Dad crackup. SO - condition Orange - the bum reaches into his coat. He pulls out an old

-------------- FISH. Then he rubs it all over the windshield and runs away.

You can't get fish off with the wipers. Dad is laughing and yelling tough guy over and over.

So, when do you draw - at the furtive movement or fish attack?

Now seriously, after taking Insights' SVT and some others, I catch the gaze of the ongoing dude and shake my head NO. If he continues and verbalizes, I say - Sorry, I can't help you. I keep moving if possible.

It has worked in various iffy downtowns. Portland, San Antonio, DC, KC, etc.

No need for other options. As I strolled away, I've seen the same bum up in the face of the clueless.

I will give a buck to fun street musicians.

On another day, I will deal with crazed saxophone plays with no legs on the NYC subway.

 

[rainbowbob]

Funny story, GEM - thanks for starting my day with a laugh!

 

[Hardtarget]

Lately, I just say "I've got nothing for you". If they continue, I put emphasis on "YOU". Been working OK.

Mark

 

[qajaq59]

I worked in most of the big cities from Boston to DC and my technique never changed. Say, "No!" and keep walking. If you want to help the homeless give to the Salvation Army. They will help feed them. Plus not everyone begging money on the street needs it. Many people make a good living doing that.

 

[John Matrix]

Ah, the often repeated mantra that mentally ill people are dangerous, when exactly the opposite is more true. Kind of reminds me of the way gun owners are all labeled these days as "extremists" when again, the opposite is true.

tell that to Elizabeth Smart...

You are generally correct, but I am not pegging my, or my family's, safety on a feelgood stereotype.

 

[scrod008]

Best one I've Seen

The best one from one of these guys along side of the road with a sign was "Why Lie, I Need A Drink!". I actually thought about giving him money because at least he was honest about it.