2007-01-25 06:45:14 · 15 answers · asked by Adam W 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
My best litmus test is to see if the person will accept a non cash
form of help. For example, when I've been asked for money by homeless people, alot of times they say they need it for food to eat. Once a lady told me she needed to buy groceries so that her kids wouldn't be hungry. I've offered to buy the hungry person food and if he says, "Oh no ma'am, I just need a few dollars", there's your sign. Or when I offer to take the woman grocery shopping and she refuses, I smell a rat. A true homeless person will gladly accept my offer to buy a meal, give a bus fare card, etc. If they pass that test, then I feel OK giving them some cash too. But I disagree with people saying go by how they smell or dress. Many homeless shelters offer hygiene (showers) services and donated clothes and shoes which oftentimes look nice so you can't judge a book by its cover.
2007-01-29 04:32:18 · answer #1 · answered by Luvly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can tell if a homeless person asks for change for a $100.00 bill and gives you a business card. Sorry, I had to have fun with this question.
2007-01-25 07:27:08 · answer #2 · answered by Yafooey! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
well if they asked it here on yahoo
mostly they have access to a pc and the web
so unless its at the library or at a friends house, they are not destitute
except that one guy who made a website on how to be homeless and go undetected, and eat pidgeons, he was hardcore, convinced me he WAS actually homeless most of the time anyway, AND HE HAD A GOOD WEBSITE !!!!!!!!!!
he said things like in the city you can dress however you want if you are homeless, in the burbs you have to dress up, etc.
just too much good common sense there to even doubt him
AND he had details on how you catch kill and cook and eat pigeons
2007-01-25 06:54:17 · answer #3 · answered by kurticus1024 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they can't look you in the eye when saying they are poor. Or when they are begging they have a nervous reaction. Like fiddling with their hands or something of that aspect.
2007-01-25 06:57:47 · answer #4 · answered by aimstir31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work in a soup kitchen
it is painfully obvious as we get to know our clients
could they be lying? Possibly even then but its not for me to judge
2007-01-25 06:54:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are holding a sign and have clean finger nails nice sneakers. you know things like that. pants are rather new and not torned. most of them forget to put on old sneakers. thats the first thing i look at and then nails. you can tell with a beard to if its kept up or not.
2007-01-25 07:11:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Rolex watch coupled with the Gucci purse is a dead giveaway.
2007-01-25 06:49:41 · answer #7 · answered by Midwest Maven 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
all u have 2 do i s look at how they carry themsleves n how they act n if they dress nice that should tell u if they r poor or not
2007-01-25 06:57:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The teeth are usually a giveaway.
2007-01-25 06:52:34 · answer #9 · answered by brotherman2112 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try looking at their shoes
2007-01-25 06:50:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋