Parents what would you do?

Question

We live in a regular housing area nothing fancy or run down. I have seen a huge rise in people begging for presents for their children around my area. They want things like an XBOX (for free) Video games, cameras....etc nothing that is a necessity. I believe it is rude to actually go up to people and ask them to provide for your children with toys...how about food or similar? Some actually do this through the computer asking for "donations". I was literally in Toys R us when a man and woman approached me asking me to buy their "sick" child a $26 DVD. Im not rich nor do I dress like I am rich. How would you react if someone came up to you or even in your neighborhood handing out fliers for free gifts?

I mean I do, donate so many toys for legit donation centers and actually I adopted 2 childrens names off of the Christmas tree to donate gifts for but this is ridiculous.

thanks everyone, maybe if they asked if I could buy them some food I would consider ,or formula and etc. but kids dont "need" toys

Answer 1

I think that is rude. If the parents are really in need, there are plenty of organizations they can call or go to for help. Many radio stations sponsor toy drives and there is always Toys for Tots. I would refer them to one of those.

Answer 2

I think its quite rude. There are many charity shops and organisastions that can help them out. if i was in that situation i would have said no. I too donate my childrens toys and clothes they longer wear to charity shops or other friends with children but im sure their kids had some toys and they couldnt have been that desperate by asking for a xbox etc. If someone asked me for food i would consider but not for buying their children toys. its bad enough trying to find money to pay for my own kids,let alone someone elses.

Answer 3

There are organisations out there that provide to people in need (that I donate to) I'd never give ANY gift to someone begging!
Have you noticed it's always Electronic games or DVD's? In other words something that can be re-sold easily! Call me mean spirited but I find that suspicious!
Children don't need expensive toys and if their parents can afford a DVD player they can afford the DVD's too!

Answer 4

I have never had this personally happen to me...but it would bother me. When I was in college I had to be on Medicaid for health insurance. It required me to go every 6 months to re-evaluate my need for it (down at the welfare office). I remember it use to really bug me that a majority of the people there were not only better dressed than me but carried cell phones, wore expensive jewelry. I am all for helping people out but it just makes me wonder how in the world some people who claim poverty can afford such things???? I also had a friend that lived on her social security check but had two children. She would stand in line every year to get some donated Christmas gifts for her kids...it is amazing what she ended up with...her kids made out better on Christmas than I ever did (with my parents working).

Answer 5

I agree with you! We are by no means rich either, but we provide Christmas for our own family. If we weren't able to, we would speak to a church or charitable organization privately...certainly not hand out fliers, post on the internet, or go up to strangers at the mall!

I tend to believe that people who go through an organization are legitamately needy and people that try to get strangers to hand them money are scamming people, so I never give them anything-except food if they say they are hungry (since you can't spend food on crack)-I just tell them that if they are needy they can talk to a local church or charity and then suggest a few and walk away.

Answer 6

I would be annoyed as well. It's one thing for a poor, single mother to ask for a gift from toys for tots for her child. Every child should get something for Christmas... but an XBOX? Give me a break. That's just rude. They should have been managing their money better or gotten an extra job if this gift was so important.

Answer 7

Do you know these people? If not how are you sure they even have children? They could be scamming you into buying things they can return.
I'd let those people know about the organizations out there that can help them out and ask them to stop pestering people.
As soon as I walked into the store I would notify the manager. Im sure he doesnt want people outside his store begging for needless things.
I may even lodge a complaint with the cops.
I highly doubt these people are really asking for this junk for their kids. That is stuff they can re-sell.

Answer 8

It is ridiculous and sad. Especially for non-necessitys. If someone has a legitimate need, hopefully someone will notice and see that it is provided for. A lot of the time, the ones that legitimately need it - are too proud to ask. I do see this also. I avoid the Hand2Hand type sites this time of year because of the same thing.

I hope you get what you want, and fewer beggers next year!

Merry Christmas.

OH, and I say sorry - I have my own family to provide for.

Answer 9

I agree. Last year, I was really big on watching Craigslist in search for real people in need...until I met someone who admitted afterwards that the only reason they were asking for these "donations" was so they didn't have to stress out afterwards about having to catch up on bills. I too donate what I can, when I can, but you're right, it is getting ridiculous.

Answer 10

I think it is incredibly rude for individual people to ask for gifts for their child. Like you, I donate to legitimate charities. If someone were to just walk up to me, I'd politely decline and inform the person in need that they should contact one of those charities for help. There are too many conniving people in the world that are just looking for a free ticket. I can't distinguish them from the people truly in need. That's why I never help individual people. You just never know.