Will work for food? What do you think about people that sit on the side of the road with signs like that?

Question

I feel bad for them, yet, I wonder...Can't they do better for themselves than just sitting there making everyone else feel bad for them?

Answer 1

Perhaps that is their best, albeit not yours or my defintion of doing better.

Answer 2

I feel the same way you do...that being said-Maybe you saw the reality show on maybe cinemax how they gave a random homeless guy 100,000 dollars, and videotaped him over the next year to see what he would do with the money. He bought cars for acquaintences, gave money to family and friends. He wasn't on drugs. When he got an apartment and bed, he still slept on the floor because he said he could never get used to it and felt better on hard floor. The show's producer's arranged for financial advisors, and urged him to get a job. Right so needless to say- he is back living on the street today. He pissed away all his money with in a year. I saw him on Oprah...

Not every homeless person would have thrown away this opportunity, but it goes to show that they may be happier being taken care of by others. At least that guy was.

Answer 3

I feel bad for them. They're obviously desperate. They're not even asking for wages... just food. That's just sad. At least you know they won't be taking your money to buy booze. But on the other hand, they could probably get a job if they looked. There are tons of places that hire unskilled workers for things like stocking shelves or cleaning. There are even employment agencies. If you have the humility to sit there with a sign like that, you have the humility to go ask someone to help you find a job.

Answer 4

once on my way home from work I saw two people hug, and he gave her a sign and she walked to corner and started holding the sign up for oncoming traffic. The sign said will work for food. What I witnessed was quitting time for him and starting time for her. That is the job, getting free money. That is why the police allow it. Because it is against the law to stand there in traffic and beg. It is just another scam. Don't fall for it unless it's in your nature to help but give to an organization who will help homeless people. If you ask those people to come to your house and clean up the back yard and haul junk betcha you would get all sorts of excuses why they can't do it.

Answer 5

Sometimes I give-sometimes I don't. Just depends basically if it's convenient for me (ie. wrong side of the road, no small bills....). I've always believed that you're never wrong for trying to help someone out. If they have impure motives than the sin is on them & not me. Also, I don't really know anyone's life, but mine. I couldn't imagine doing that whether it's strictly out of need or because I think it's the quickest way to earn a few bucks. How much is one's dignity worth???

Answer 6

Yes I feel bad for them. Sometimes it actually just brings down my day. I just pray for them and hope that they can do better for themselves. I guess that's all I can really do. I wouldn't mind giving money to them but many of them will only use it for drinking or drugs and also by giving them money it's also enabling them to keep doing what they do because they know that someone will feel bad for them and always give money, so I guess there's no good outcome.

Answer 7

I think people like that are just lazy because I know there are several places in my area that give food to anyone in need. I one time seen this one guy doing that and later say him in BestBuy buying CDs. I should have said something but didn't.

Answer 8

funny you say that...here in atlanta a few years ago there was a beggar who every day sat at the roadside his tattered clothes, dirty appearance and misspelled hand letter sign got him lots of money...enough to when he got off work he would stumble around the corner until he was out of sight and get into his brand new mercedes and drive to his 400+ thousand dollar house in the suburbs. i guess someone saw him getting into the mercedes and thought he was breaking into it and alerted the police which pro ceded to follow him and found out the real story. the guy was pulling down a couple hundred grand a year simply by begging. it was a huge story here.

Answer 9

I think they are looking for cash. I think if they have enough strength and energy to sit by the road, they should be able to work.

Answer 10

Most of them will use the money for drugs or alcohol. They are able bodied and can work. Don't give them money. Give it to charity instead. They will see to it that the truly needy get it.

Answer 11

They never tip much when they order a taxi to take them home to an apartment building nicer than what I live in. Would you like their addresses? I keep a list.