If he can carry around that GIANT backpack and spell well enough to make a sign, why does he choose to avoid working? If I give him my money am I just encouraging his delinquent behavior? Shouldn't I give my donations to a food shelter or homeless shelter instead so that he doesn't use it to buy alcohol or drugs?
2007-02-01 08:50:48 · 7 answers · asked by J 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
No one deserves your money except the person who earned it, you, 100%. Give is a dirty word. Everything you earned you did so honestly and by the sweat of your brow, your mind, reason, and self put into it entirely and you deserve every pleasure or luxury that money can buy you. Begging is a crime, using guilt as a weapon, and is an immoral use of force. You shouldn't feel guilty because you worked harder, studied longer and did what it took while honestly following your passions in life to get where you are today, than that beggar or some guy at McDonald's or your maid. You did it and you deserve all the credit, that's your reward in life. Free yourself from guilt and relish in your success. Remember that the opposite of charity is justice.
2007-02-01 15:55:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well... I don't think this person feels they "deserve" your money. They are simply asking for help. I have worked at shelters. Just because they exist does not mean anyone can get in nor are the properly financed. The shelter I worked at only had 15 beds for example. A friend of mine works in a women's shelter. They help them learn skills and try to get them on their feet. There is a two year waiting list to get in. Folks... just because there are shelters does not mean this people on the streets instantly have a viable solution. Your dreaming if you think so.
I'm in Chicago... so I see many persons whom are homeless everyday. I admit I will not give them money because yes, some do buy booze or drugs with it. Instead if I am able I ask them if they want me to get them a burger from McDonalds or something from a place I am going in to for lunch. Otherwise your idea of giving something to a shelter is admirable too. You can't help them all but you can do something rather than assume they are all lazy, etc. I used to give the same guy my coffee change every morning. He needed the 50 cents more than I did. There are little things you can do. Some will get mad if the mention of a shelter comes up because chances are they have been abused by other homeless people staying there, they don't feel safe there, or the program failed them due to poor administration. My suggestion to find your answer... volunteer one day at an inner-city shelter and discover all this for yourself... sure you'll be able to answer your own question after that.
Also... scary but think of it this way. You may be nice and comfy now but you never know what is going to become of you. Put yourself in their situation. Not saying start forking over cash to them... but think from their perspective... it could be you one day.
2007-02-01 17:02:50 · answer #2 · answered by daven71 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes you can't get a job without a permanent address. And if your homeless than you don't have an address. And noone ever said the panhandler deserves your money. But there are people out there that like to be generous and give to those less fortunate.
2007-02-01 16:56:07 · answer #3 · answered by StephanieM 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He doesn't deserve your money. As you said if he can carry the back pack and hold that sign for hours he can get up and find a job somewhere. If he doesn't have a residence he can go to the shelter and use that address for applications. I never feel sorry for those who panhandle. I think they are freeloaders through and through.
2007-02-01 16:54:30 · answer #4 · answered by Stefbear 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wonder that too. I also wonder about the 'Viet Nam vets', who _should_ be about my age but are in their 20's, asking for money because they are homeless.
One got really cranked off at me when I told him about the VA homeless veteran program.
O well.....
I'm more likely to give money to a 'spare changer' who says something on the order of , "can I have some money on a jug of wine?"...know what I mean?
2007-02-01 16:55:04 · answer #5 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he cannot work when his mania comes in. Maybe he's a hardcore junkie.
Don't give him you money...you are not obligated. You can try food or water or clothes or blankets too. Those things usually are appreciated. Or just ignore him until you find a homeless person you deem to have a right to be homeless unlike the strong literate guy with a sign.
2007-02-01 16:56:19 · answer #6 · answered by HollyBean 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Then don't give him your money.
2007-02-01 16:54:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋