How many of you give money to street beggars when asked?

Question

I try to give as often as possible, but theres so many here in South Africa I'd bankrupt myself if I gave every time, I still feel guilty sometimes when I dont, do you feel guilty if you dont give or do you regard beggars as a nuisance?

Answer 1

Hi Raging, I have done that twice. They don't get food,they get a cheap bottle of wine. I don't feel guilty anymore,after seeing what they do with the money they beg for.

Clowmy

Answer 2

I love to take time and listen to a street busker and will happily give to them if they are any good. Walking down the High Street in Lincoln and being greeted by a melody always adds something to the day. I also buy the Big Issue whenever I am in the UK. I don't usually give to street beggars,although when I pick up a vibe of some sort, I will dip into my purse. The exception is a guy here where I live who has cerebral palsy and a smile to light up even the darkest day. I would never walk past him without giving something. A beggar having a dog certainly wouldn't move me to give. And yes a lot of them are con artists. I know of one who had enough money to stashed to buy her daughter a new car with cash for a wedding present. But is she wants to sit in the 100F heat all day to beg good luck to her.It is a job of sorts and it makes those who give feel better about themselves. A bit like chocolate really!!

Answer 3

Well, here's the thing. One time my friend and I were pulling up to a stop light and a guy asked for some spare change. My friend asked him what he wanted the money for, and the guy said he wanted some beer. So my friend went into the store and bought the guy a 24pk of beer and thanked him for his honesty.
One time my boyfriend and I were going to pick up pizza, and we saw a couple of guys standing on the corner with a sign that said 'will work for food'. So my boyfriend rolled down the window and asked if they wanted a pizza. They did, so we gave it to them.
A few other times, we have gone to get pizza or burgers or something, and saw someone with a sign, and asked them, and they say 'oh, I don't like pizza'. I am sorry, but if I am hungry, I will eat pizza, even if I don't like it.
Occasionally, I give money. But I live in a city that has all kinds of shelters and drop-in centers and places where homeless people can go get a shower and a hot meal and a place to sleep.
Most of the people I see are just looking for a way to get money without having to work. It's pathetic.
Occasionally there are some people out there that truly are homeless and just don't know about the resources available to them. i tell them, and I buy them lunch.

Answer 4

I know how you feel... Around here, giving money to beggars generally doesn't do anything to help them, since many are alcoholics and/or drug users- what they need is treatment, not small change. My rule of thumb is, if they're doing something like singing, playing an instrument- which is technically called 'buscing', I give something. But there are an awful lot of beggars... and hard to pick out who's going to drink it up and who's buying bread to eat...

Answer 5

I give sometimes, depends where I am because around here these homeless people will ROB you when you go to reach into your Purse they will take off with it ALL... I have been known to give em ciggeretes too sometimes tho.. I really dont care what they BUY with the money I give them thats up to them look at it this way you did a good deed to someone in need and alot of these people CANT go to Human Services for HELP because they have NO LEGAL ADDRESS so wake up people who think other wise

Answer 6

I would say both. I feel guilty when I don't give but I find them as a nuisance. I guess its like that story about the girl at the ocean.

Story:A girl was walking along the shore and was tossing starfish back into the ocean. When she was asked "why are doing this it doesn't make a difference its impossible to save all the starfish." She replied, "I made a difference to that ONE."
(As long as you give to that ONE you've made a difference)
Holla at YoBoy

Answer 7

Wow i feel the exact same way. Ill give someone some money and when someone else asks i feel bad for not giving it because i think to myself why him and not this one and ill make myself feel bad about it, but i soon get over it because i know im not financial stable and im just going to school at a university and i have a job so im young and doing something out there and im a minority, female, and young so if i could do it anyone could do it.

Answer 8

Not anymore. The last time I gave $1 USD to a beggar, they immediately got up and bought a nip of vodka. I walked to the entrance of the store and watched him. I will never give money to any beggars again. I will happily donate to a worthy charity any day.

Answer 9

I used to, but I've had too many bad experiences. THE WORST:
I used my last - LAST 20.00 to buy a guy and his dog some food, when I dropped it off to him, he looked me up and down and HIT ON ME! I politely declined and he trew the sandwich at me!
While I know that not everyone is like this, I've had similar experinces that left a bad impression, plus- I'm a broke college kid- I can barely feed myself.
BUT, I do try to help those in need - a few weeks ago when I was in San Franciso, there was a man sleeping in a doorway with a sign folded under his arm " coat stolen, cold. please help." I had an extra umbrella and fleece blanket and I gave him those.
He woke up and thanked me, and HE SEEMED genuinely thankful.

Answer 10

I used to give money. But, I have stopped giving to beggars. In India, we have soo many of them, if they see you giving one of them money they all surround you and expect you to give them all some money. And they wont accept if you 1 or 2 rupees. They demand money. Then, you really wish you hadn't given in the first place. We give our clothes to a home for blind kids. Or food to some poor people.