it happens to all of us from time to time. you walk out of the grocery store, arms full of bags, and there's a homeless guy sitting there, and he looks up at your armfuls of grub, and asks, "excuse me, got any spare change?"
do you give money to these people? food? dirty looks? what's YOUR natural reaction?
2006-11-13 08:44:32 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
ALWAYS!!!! The way I see it...I got my arms full of goodies and this person has nothing. I'm blessed to have what i have (which isn't much), what good is it to have it if you can't share it. I cannot tell you how many times I've given whatever was in my pocket to someone sitting on the side of the street. DC almost broke me. There was at least 2-3 ppl on each city block. It was heartbreaking.
Now grant it, there may be shammers, alcoholics, druggies, etc out there, but who am i to judge anyone? Even if they take the few bucks i give them and go grab a beer when I'm outta sight...it still makes me feel better about myself to give.
I'm a strong believer in Charma too. There's been many times, I've been down on my luck and there were ppl in my life to help me out. I remember how humbled I was to have to accept their help but sometimes you have to tuck your pride away to survive. I share my gratitude of those that helped me by trying to help others. "what goes around, comes around" is such a true cliche'.
Some of my "friends" scold me for giving money or food or whatever i have, saying things like "they're faking it" or "they probably got a mansion somewhere", etc...but again, like i said, giving to them makes me feel better as a person, so i do what I feel is right, regardless of what others say or think.
That is what i suggest to you....do what you feel is right in your heart.
marjenl72
2006-11-13 08:55:01 · answer #1 · answered by marjenl72 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My natural reaction is to give them some money. Sometimes I don't have much money. The last time I gave (I'm on a serious budget after my encounters with the IRS) I only had 10 dollars to get food with. I managed to purchase some noodles and bread and had 5 bucks left for the whole week. I came out of the store and some grubby guys asked if I had some spare change. I ended up giving him the five dollars.
I'm not into the business of judging people when they ask me for something. I don't care what they do with the money I give them it's their choice. When people ask if I have I give period.
Sometimes you have to do things like that.
2006-11-13 08:55:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My natural reaction is to empty out my pockets for them. Buy them a blanket and take them home to a warm house. However, working downtown, I see these people everyday, and have slowly realized that I cannot give away all my lively hood for these people. Not only that, but it doesn't help them, because they'll be back in the same spot tomorrow.
Now, I simply acknowledge them with a smile and keep walking. THere are organizations that help homeless people out and provide them with food, shelter, and also help to get back on their feet.
I still feel bad when I can't just hand them things, but that quick fix, isn't solving the long-term problem.
Good question and good luck!
2006-11-13 08:57:34 · answer #3 · answered by Lola 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This really depends on who is asking me and on my judgment. I make it a rule to never give to young able-bodied people or to people who seem not to really be in need, but just looking for some kind of handout.
I do frequent downtown L.A. alot and volunteer and shelters and I give to older homeless who sadly have not alot of promise to overcome the situation.
And who cares what they buy with the money? Its a gift you are giving! So what if they choose to engage in a little vice? what are they supposed to do? put it in the bank? Lol. Life is hard and they need not any more judgement, as it is they are hardly regarded as real people. The streets are cold, if they can warm themselves better with a beer than a sandwich, I'm all for it.
2006-11-13 11:30:27 · answer #4 · answered by Basquephantom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do give money to them. I am not at all religious in the "church" sense, but I am spiritual and I live by a number of principles that could probably be considered religious. One of them is "Judge not that ye be not judged." Another is the realization that at anytime life can take a tremendous swing and one's fortunes can change drastically so when I see someone who is asking for money my first thought is. "There but for the grace of God (or the luck of being born where I was born, or having the wherewithal that I have, or the "luck" that I have had, etc.) go I, or one of our children, or grandchildren, or siblings, or friends, etc."
Another principle that I live by is "To whom much is given much is expected". I feel that I have been very fortunate in my life - not monetarily but in many other ways, and so I try to give back as much as I can.
I hope these thoughts are of some help.
2006-11-13 08:53:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on who you are and where you've come from. If you have been in a similar situation you might consider what the best course of action would be. You don't want to feed a drug or alcohol habit, but sometimes it's hard to tell where a person is.My personal choice is to give them something, even if it's just a smile.
2006-11-13 08:50:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very hard. First, if I know I have a couple bucks in my pocket then yes. I worry about digging through my wallet with $20 bills trying to find something smaller. I am female and if I have my children with me then I worry about my safety (talking about the guys on the street at intersections). If all the circumstances line up and it feels right, then yes. They get a few bucks and I go away feeling like I helped someone, even if just a little.
2006-11-13 08:49:14 · answer #7 · answered by luveeduvee 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I set my bags down, reach into my purse, and pull out my change that I obviously have because I have an armful of groceries. Not only that I reach into my many bags of food and give him/her something cheap (ramen noodle) to eat. Anyway who would pass him/her up or direct them to the soup kitchen(by the way, where are they?) is horrible. They are human being to
(b!tch3s)
2006-11-13 08:52:14 · answer #8 · answered by peachyprincess07 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because I have had negative experiences of people asking me for money then running into their cars! They pick and chose whom to ask and sometimes they take shifts at certain spots (usually at an intersection or highways entrance or exit.) If they are a vet (which most claim to be) then they should look to the gov or some local organization to help.
2006-11-13 08:48:25 · answer #9 · answered by Professor Bradley 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends largely on my perceptions of the person asking. I do give lots of times, but there are times that these guys tick me off and I say no. I try very hard not to be rude and find a simple "no" to be the best answer if I decide to refuse.
2006-11-13 08:47:52 · answer #10 · answered by ron k 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋