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Old 07-24-2010, 12:40 PM   #1
13spebampiliece

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Default Do you give beggars coin?
No. I sometimes get my coachman to horsewhip them for their impertinance though.
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Old 07-24-2010, 12:56 PM   #2
Hetgvwic

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No. I sometimes get my coachman to horsewhip them for their impertinance though.
You should use Firefox, it would have pointed out the misspelling of "impertinent."

*Elok runs from the coachman*

Re:OP, I generally don't give because the ratio of shysters to the generally needy is just too high. However, if they were genuinely homeless, I wouldn't worry about my contributions encouraging them to continue their whatever. "Hey, I wake up on a park bench covered in pigeon crap every morning, when I'm not getting hassled by the police or teenagers with rocks...I haven't showered in weeks, got laid in months and have about a 50/50 chance of surviving the winter...but I can get a couple of bucks just by asking. Awesome!"
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Old 07-24-2010, 01:10 PM   #3
dosyrotsbop

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I'll also add that most homeless in the US are on SSI/SSDI, so begging isn't their only source of income.
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Old 07-24-2010, 02:42 PM   #4
TZids16I

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You should use Firefox, it would have pointed out the misspelling of "impertinent."

*Elok runs from the coachman*
I do use Firebox* - I just hadn't woken up properly.

*Suggested spelling
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Old 07-24-2010, 03:05 PM   #5
gDGwm8BC

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No.

Give them an inch and they will want a yard.
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Old 07-24-2010, 03:36 PM   #6
makemoneyonli

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Yes. It's fun watching them crawl through traffic to pick the coins up.
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Old 07-24-2010, 04:03 PM   #7
BruceCroucshs

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Whenever possible. If I were homeless and trying to get high, I'd want people to help me out. Do unto others...
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Old 07-24-2010, 04:21 PM   #8
UnduttRit

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I don't carry change, but I have given cash very rarely. There was this one guy who was a sorry case, but he managed to memorize all of the world capitals. I picked some obscure African country and he gave me the name of the capital straight off. I thought that deserved some compensation, no matter what he did with the money, short of buying a hit of crack -- we all need a drink every now and then, after all.

As a christian, I try to follow "don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." But it's tough to follow the spirit of that command nowadays in the first world. Homeless people in the city begging is long-term demoralizing to this country boy. I give to So Others Might Eat (a local homeless organization), the poor box at my church, and Catholic Charities (which has a homeless ministry), but the left hand is firmly in control on those.
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Old 07-24-2010, 04:55 PM   #9
arcaniagainee

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I usually at least give them a dollar.
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Old 07-24-2010, 05:00 PM   #10
KitRittyTug

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Nope. I had a friend(who lives in Baltimore, natch) who gave a bum some cash recently, and he followed her to her house, banging on the door demanding more money.


Don't give homeless people money.

Especially in Baltimore.
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Old 07-25-2010, 02:32 AM   #11
CHyLmxDr

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Nope. Virtually none where I live (suburbs). In the city, too many of them and some are certifiable. I usually tip buskers (street musicians), though. They provide an actual service.
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Old 07-25-2010, 04:10 AM   #12
FelixQY

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No. I sometimes get my coachman to horsewhip them for their impertinance though.
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Old 07-25-2010, 11:40 AM   #13
brulpcoersero

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Hell no, I don't give charitable donations without tax relief!
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Old 07-25-2010, 01:03 PM   #14
lerobudrse

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I have mixed feelings. I would say I usually don't give them anything unless they ask you to buy them food(say if there outside a fastfood joint), which has only happened to me once. Sometimes they'll get you outside the grocery store when you have change in hand, it's hard to refuse then as well.

Pro:
1.Genuine Sympathy
2. Liberal Guilt/White Guilt

Con:
1. They'll probably buy drugs with it
2. There are homeless shelters, charity, etc. where they can get food and shelter
3. I may be encouraging them to continue their current lifestyle.
4. Less money for you!
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Old 07-26-2010, 03:27 AM   #15
r9tbayfC

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They do the same in Vancouver.

I usually offer them a dinner. Sorts them out pretty well for me. Many get upset and demand cash, and I usually say that I thought beggars weren't choosers. Clearly you need some work in the begging department.
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Old 07-26-2010, 07:56 AM   #16
UnmariKam

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If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor.
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Old 07-26-2010, 08:09 AM   #17
RealCHEAPsoftDOWNLOAD

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I don't make donating to beggars such a huge moral or intellectual concern. As DaShi said, I give randomly according to my mood.
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Old 07-26-2010, 08:56 PM   #18
mikapoq

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Ben? Morally repulsive?

Say it isn't so...
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Old 07-26-2010, 09:05 PM   #19
DexOnenlyCymn

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That's a good one Wiggy.

I always look for the amusement angle for these encounters.
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Old 07-26-2010, 09:11 PM   #20
InvertPrete

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The other option is to report your card stolen and then hand it to an undesirable. (Works best for 20-something crackwhores who will unwittingly lead police to their larger drug rings)
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