What do you do when people approach you for money?

Question

I went to walmart today and as I was putting my kids in the car to go home, there was a lady standing right behind me asking if I had any spare change. I didnt so she walked away. I then noticed a man on the other side of the parking lot doing the same thing. The met up with each other and got into a rather nice vehicle and drove awy. I was almost home and noticed them stop at the grocery store, get out and start all over again, asking people for money. I was appalled! They were dressed to look like homeless yet they were driving what looked to be a new Infiniti. What would you have done. It has really disturbed me. Hopefully the car was a loner and they werent cheating people for money.

Answer 1

I once got approached by a crack head while i was in a parking lot. She begged me for some change because she was soooooo hungry. I offered her an orange (i know, just happened to have an orange in my car). She started flipping out ""WHAT THE FCK AM I GOING TO DO WITH AN ORANGE?!?!"

The moral of the story is always keep citrus in your car. Crack heads and heroin addicts don't like to eat. If they are grateful for food, give em some money.

Answer 2

I used to have to drive to L.A. Airport every night on my job. At the off ramp there was a guy standing there with a broken fan belt. When people would stop for the light, he would tell them a sob story about how his car broke down and he needed a couple bucks for a new belt. People would always give him money. After I saw him do this a couple times, I would tell the person that he does this every night, and that it's a big scam. I would then call the cops and report him. They were very aware of the guy as they had busted him several times. They said that he made so much money there that he could post his own bail and go right back to it. I got a can of pepper spray from my mail man and every time I saw him I would squirt him. But I did it so I couldn't be seen by anybody. It got to the point he would watch for my van and lay low until I went through. So, I changed my timing a little bit, just to accommodate him. Isn't revenge fun???

Answer 3

I always carry a bag of apples in my car. In the summer, a case of bottled water. If they really are homeless, they'll want that more. If they are indeed playing you, they'll keep going. I've been on the streets and not all people asking for money spend it on drugs or alcohol. I've also lived out of my car for a few months and begged for gas money. That could be it to you know. There's always to sides and you have to look at life from their side before you judge.

How I survived is I sold everything I owned except my laptop and modem. I begged for gas money so I could idle the engine all night to keep warm and plug my modem into the car battery. I searched for work online and eventually found something, saved enough to get a place and restart my life.

Maybe, just maybe these people were having some rotten luck just as I did but had a nice car.

Answer 4

Got the plate number and called the police to report them! Even if I thought is was a loner they still cheated some1 out of the car b/c if they were poor bums would you lend them your car to let them get spare change? I don't think so! You would point them in the direction of a shelter not a walmart. My friend, I think you witnessed a crime! Sorry and I'm glad you didn't give them any money. Just next time be alert and think on your feet.

Answer 5

I've actually seen that happen too. Some people do it as a hobby or just for kicks. Pretty sad when you think about it isn't it. What I have done one time in the past was this: there was a guy who came to our shop and asked for money. I asked him what he needed the money for and he said milk for his baby. So I said well I will walk with you to the store which was right down the street and I'll buy a gallon of milk. He gave me this deer in the head-light look and walked out of our shop.

Answer 6

i will tell a person that i don't carry money on me. I think if i saw what u saw, i would have called the police because that is panhandling, not just a homeless asking for money, and it is against the law. Some people may think that over the top but that is what i would do.

Answer 7

This just happened to us at a gas station off of the freeway. A man walked up and said he needed gas money. My husband who usually NEVER gives anyone anything-gave him 3 bucks. I told him he should have told the man to pull up to the pump if he was going to give him anything and put three bucks worth of gas in the car. He said he didn't even think of that. We went around the back of the station to let our dog out and I saw the guy get in his car and drive out of the lot-I DOUBT he was trying to find cheaper gas somewhere else.We got a good laugh out of that one!!!Even the dog was laughing!!

Answer 8

I just tell them "I'm from New Orleans." or "get a spare job" and they leave me alone. You are better than me, you care, if and only if you can afford to give a little something do so. But offer advice for opportunity or employment with your contribution.

Answer 9

I'd snap pics if I had a camera or a camera phone and get there license plate so I could report them to the police. It one thing to be a beggar and really in need,but it's totally different when your well off and just begging to get extra cash.

Answer 10

I will buy someone a meal, but I won't give them cash. Just offer to do that and watch them scatter! If people are really down and out they can go to almost any church and they can help them out of the minister's discretionary fund.