How do you act when somebody says "Any spare change?" Why?

Answer 1

I give what I can usually.

Answer 2

That's a good question.

You feel guilty, don't you? That's the idea. Your feeling emerged as an intentional result of a person's planned action. If that person was not able to trigger guilty feelings from people, he would never be able to collect any money at all. Therefore, the beggar works at being helpless, pathetic, and injured. It's toxic behavior for you and for him/her, and its best not to participate unless there are extraordinary circumstances.

(I give tips for directions, and always throw change to musicians. Or if you feel particularly rich that day and want to live it up and throw change at everyone. But you have to ask yourself if giving away money on the street is really that wise).

The fact that you are wondering about that feeling shows that you have a conscience. You have walked away, but the feeling stays. And you have been concerned enough to talk about that feeling with other people. Where do people of conscience turn when facing poverty, injustice, and homelessness?

You can probably answer that question better than I can. Look at your community and try to decide where your pennies, nickels, and dimes can go that will really make a lasting change. Better than that, find a place to volunteer - a food bank or a reading program for children.

Now, what about the guy on the street? My rule is that two things should be offered to everyone at no charge if they really need it: food and clean drinking water.

For that reason, where I drive everyday, I pass a guy who collects money on the freeway onramp. I feel guilty like you do, and want to do something. So I give him a bottle of water. Simple. It won't make him rich, but it will give him life, which is more precious than anything you can buy with a few pennies and nickels.

Answer 3

One time a guy came up to my friend and asked for some spare change. He was not too shabilly dressed but he could've been homeless. My friend offered him our leftovers from a restaurant, and he refused. Turned out he just needed some change to make a phone call.

So to answer your question: Maybe. I don't have much money on my own to give, but there may be a time I need someone to break a dollar for me and all the stores are closed.

Answer 4

I rarely give them change, unless that is all I have; but rather give them some folding money, usually $2 - 5, sometimes more. What can you buy with change? Having been homeless, I know the all the angles, gimmicks, tricks, etc, but I also know the Scripture says “give to every one that asks of you and from him that would borrow from you turn not away.” It doesn’t question if the money will be used to buy crack or a Mac and neither do I. It doesn’t say you have to give them exactly what they ask for either, as I have panhandlers who will test my generosity and belief in a literal interpretation of Scripture, even when it hurts, ask me for $100. To them I usually give a just a dollar. I have ‘regulars’ who hit me up for money every time they see me knowing that I don’t turn away anyone and it sometimes causes me to cringe when I see them approaching, but with every kind act and encouraging word I can muster it adds to their hope, rather than dehumanizing them further. One of my greatest joys is taking a group of ten or so homeless men and women out to a nice restaurant or bringing pizza or burgers, fries and drinks to the streets and feeding as many as I can afford-usually it’s less than a $100, but worth every penny to me to see their gratitude and smiles. I don’t care if my good deeds are rewarded in heaven or not. I get all the reward I need from the people I help who do change and get away from the misery of the living on the streets who later come to me and thank me for the kindness I showed them and tell me that I made a difference in their life. That some don’t make it is sad. Two homeless men were found dead a couple of weeks ago in the nearby city where I work and minister to the homeless. One was of natural causes and the other foul play is suspected. I don’t know their eternal fate, but I do know if they ever asked me for a hand out, it was never refused, along with a kind word or encouragement and a prayer after they left. I don’t know what more I can do.

Answer 5

I say, "No, I don't have spare change. But are you hungry? Can I offer you lunch?" People who are truly hungry will accept an invitation to a meal. People who are just pan-handling to support whatever habit they have will refuse such an invitation, or keep pressing for money. I've had it happen many times, even have had some pan-handlers get angry with me for not giving them money.

I say handing out money isn't solving the problem...it's just throwing money at it and enabling people in their addictions.

Answer 6

I dont give them crap. I work hard for my money, and I make a very good living. I studied hard, and im the owner of my business. If someone is gona be lazy, and come up asking for my hard earned money, I dont think so. I send them off if they were nothing more than a fly that was in my way. Only times I ever give money is when I see a person who is mentaly chalanged (Im quite good at pointing out who is faking it), then ill give him change, since he does not have the same potential as I do in life.

Answer 7

Where I come from, you never see this. Went to a big city one time and there was this homeless person standing on a corner with a sign. Heard about this, but had never seen it. Made my husband drive around the block (in all this crazy traffic!) so I could give him some money. He looked at me and said, "God bless you with the most stunning eyes." It felt really good to do that. I prayed that he would spend it wisely. I had a good feeling about it.

Answer 8

I know I look like a tightwod because I always have to say, I don't have any. It's the plastic age, and I don't carry cash on me most of the time. If I had it, I would give them some though. I'd hate to be in the same situation.

Answer 9

i feel bad. if i have change and i'm in the right mood i give them some. everyone says "you know they just buy booze with it". my opinion is what am i going to do with 30 cents? if they can use some of my change to get drunk and forget their pain, go for it, enjoy. but sometimes i'm not in the mood to be bothered by that so i act like they aren't there.

Answer 10

I say sorry, don't have any change. I feel bad about it though. I feel like they are going to spend it on booze.

Wait a minute, that's what I spend it on! I suppose I better start giving some of it away.

Answer 11

I pray about it first, cause if i give all people that ask for change ,all of my change, i would be broke. My husband quotes the Scripture, A man who doesn't work, doesn't eat, I am helping him work on his sympathy, specially since he's a christian.