What do you think of strangers in the street who stop you to ask you for spare change and cigarettes?

Question

I would never do it - I'm too proud

Answer 1

I think it would depend, as in that situation I can only depend on my gut instinct....if that person appears truly homeless, I may give them some spare change....but not a smoke, as that is an expensive habit to have if you have no earned income...if they appear intoxicated or in need of being intoxicated (drugs or alcohol) then no, I am not going to contribute to that cause knowingly...if they appear to simply be street beggars...*gut instinct* not a chance.

Answer 2

This takes me back a ways. I'm the guy who will give an obvious homeless person 5 bucks. Sometimes it's hard to tell. Some people have homes and an income but don't budget their money. I know that sounds lame but it's true. Here's how I know. Once upon a time my brother n law found a guy sleeping in the park and brought him home. He was a homeless guy from Seattle. I used to visit over there a lot and became friends with this guy. He eventually became one of my roommates. He even got a good job as a painter. Worked 40+ hours a week. He got paid every Friday. Every Monday he was broke. Booze and drugs. Every Monday he'd start his begging. "Do you have a spare smoke?" "Do you have any spare change?" Every week. I hate it when people beg for cigarettes. One time I found a pack of stale cigarettes under the seat of my car. I'm talking 6 months old. Crispy even. I left them on the tv. Yep he took them just like he took everything else that wasn't nailed down. One time there was this big chunk of dried deoderant. It looked like a chunk of speed. So I left it on the coffee table. LOL. When I got home from work. Part of it was missing. Oh man he snorted it. He deserved it. He used to steal my stuff. Are you out there Snooper? I could go on for an hour about this dude. He snuck out his bedroom window one night never to be seen again.
Back to your question--
Normally when someone begs me for money, I'll give it to them. I feel as though if a man is reduced to begging, he must really need it. What's a buck or five to me? I'll never miss it. I don't care what he does with the money either.
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Answer 3

First of all, not much but I remember There by the grace of God go I, I do not smoke so I can not give cigarettes and if they want small change I will go with them to a grocery store and buy them fruit or vegetables. Funny thing I must have offered his at least a dozen times and only one person took me up on this, The others either gave me a dirty look or cuused me out. No small change for booze or drugs

Answer 4

It's sometimes hard to work out if these people are genuine victims of an uncaring society, and in need of support, or whether it is a lifestyle choice they have made. In the city where I live, there are organisations and people who go round giving food and hot drinks, and free clothing directly to the beggars on the street,rather than cash, and I have seen some of them dumping the stuff as soon as the givers are out of sight!

Answer 5

If they really need money, fair enough. Cigarettes, forget it (not that I'd have any to begin with). What gets me is teenagers wearing brand name shirts that clearly cost two or three times what I paid for my whole outfit that have the nerve to ask me for money (and it's normally those types that do). Their parents must be so proud.

Answer 6

I never see this unless Iam in a large metro and even there only in areas now frequented by few.
It seems they are abounding in Europe,Canada,and South America.
I try to avoid these area or these people if I cannot I then give them a buck,and go on my way.
How I think of them is with pity.

Answer 7

I tell them no. I'm sorry but I find it a little odd when a guy claims he has no money yet he's wearing timberland boots, a North Face jacket, and adidas jogging pants. Plus I know all he'll do with it is spend it on booze or crack. Sorry pal get wasted on your own dime. They usually get pretty cranky when you tell them about the local soup kitchen or to ask their local church. Probably because priests don't peddle dope.

Answer 8

i judge people on their merits..i have had nice people offer to pay me for smokes and I have given them away for free and had junkies come up to me and try to tell me they need 10 bucks to make a phone call..before threatning to stab me for a cigarette

if you are nice person you will get the best of me..if you are a dirty scab a junkie a pisshead or a pycho you will be lucky if i dont kick you in the head after i punch you in the throat

Answer 9

They are annoying. I rarely give them anything. I'm not going to support someone's substance abuse with my money, I rather help people who really need the money and will use it wisely.

One homeless, half-drunk man had the nerve to come to me and say "give me 30 bucks". Huh? What happened to "do you have some change you could spare" and "please"?

Answer 10

spare change sure. I have asked before cuz i honestly needed it and not cuz I was poor but smokes ummm no ! Thats a unnessasy habit. If they can't support their habit they need to quit.