If a beggar asks you for money, is it unreasonable to expect something in return?

Question

The beggar who sits outside our local supermarket always asks for $5. I think this is a little steep, but would probably be quite happy to give him this money if he was to entertain me with a version of "On The Good Ship Lollipop".

This would take him about 2 minutes if you add in the amount of time it would take for him to stand up, so as hourly rates go it would be a pretty good deal.

Am I being unreasonable?

Curls assumes our beggar is homeless - he isn't, he lives in the estate behind us. So presumptuous!

He is an awful, pissed-up/smacked out derelict.

I was homeless myself in my 30s, so pardon me if I don't view beggars with rose-tinted spectacles.

I suppose Curls will go on to assume that if I was homeless, I also was a beggar?

Answer 1

no, not at all, lol, and i would luv to see the show :) we could go half and half

Answer 2

So being homeless probably doesn't make someone feel bad enough but you would like to be degrading and try to humiliate him. Five dollars isn't much today. You don't know how he ended up on the street, do you know how many steps you are away from being homeless, because most people even those who have a good job aren't many. You may have posted this as a joke, but I see nothing funny about it.

Answer 3

i never give money. I have bought food and have given bottles of water, bags of candy, toiletries, clothes (jackets, shirts and packages of undies after getting the size and going in the store to buy them). I have even bought gasoline for people who could not afford to get to work.
I am a naturally generous person but I am also very distrustful (I'm a Virgo born in the year of the snake). I prefer to know that my money is not spent on drugs or alcohol (I have given/bought cigs even though I know how much they are worth in trade value on the street; and I have been told that a new fresh cig is like ambrosia to some one who has been smoking castaway butts.)
I do not ask for anything in return because I fully believe I will be helped when I need it or for that person to go on and help another in need.

If the good ship lollipop does it for you then go on and tell em to sing. I am sure that he would prefer that to you asking for a BJ (don't look so shocked, it happens ALL the time).

Answer 4

i like to take time and hear a highway busker and could fortunately provide to them in the event that they are any good. jogging down the severe highway in Lincoln and being greeted via a melody constantly provides some thing to the day. I additionally purchase the huge difficulty each and every time i'm interior the united kingdom. i do no longer many times provide to highway beggars,even in spite of the indisputable fact that when I p.c.. up a vibe of a few type, i will dip into my handbag. The exception is a guy right here the place I stay who has cerebral palsy and a grin to illuminate even the darkest day. i could by no skill walk previous him without giving some thing. A beggar having a canine somewhat does no longer pass me to grant. And sure various them are con artists. i be conscious of of one who had sufficient money to stashed to purchase her daughter a clean vehicle with money for a marriage recent. yet is she needs to sit down down interior the 100F warmth all day to beg good luck to her.it somewhat is a job of kinds and it makes people who provide sense greater effective approximately themselves. rather like chocolate somewhat!!

Answer 5

I don't know where your store is, but have you eaten a cheese burger and a drink lately. these people don't have a kitchen to cook with so they make do with what they are given. Maybe if they start high someone might part with $1.00. Did you want to help or humiliate him. You could just say no, not today and walk away.

Answer 6

Why dont you instead of giving him the money ..buy him a pack of pens., stickers , anything small that he could sell. and then instruct him on how to sell those pens to raise the money he needs .. he might get the idea and who knows you might actually HELP someone off the streets

Answer 7

I agree that asking for $5 is really a lot to ask. If you want to ask him to sing for his money, I say go for it. If nothing else, he might find a different grocery store to sit outside of!

Answer 8

No, but maybe he doesn't know the words to the song. Give him $5 and the sheet music.

Answer 9

for $5, i'll sing you a few lines

Answer 10

if this person is in need -give food- clothes not $ for drinks

Answer 11

He asks for money, so you need to negotiate.