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In reply to the discussion: What does the DU think about giving money to homeless people whose hands give [View all]LAGC
(5,330 posts)Just a few months ago I was passing through Reno, Nevada, stopped to use a restroom at a convenience store right off the freeway.
There was an older gentleman (probably in his late 50's) sitting on the pavement at the corner of the building, half-way between the front door and the restroom entrance around the corner. As I passed he kind of shyly asked: "Spare a little change?" Something about the way he said it, how it wasn't very aggressive or in-your-face about it like many panhandlers are, caused me to pause and whip out my wallet and hand him a $5 bill, saying "Here ya go, bud." He didn't thank me, but immediately got up and went inside the store, saw him after I had used the restroom -- he had bought himself some hot food from the store, and by the looks of it hadn't eaten in awhile.
I've bought food for a couple panhandlers standing on busy corners before, but after I found out many of them make more money doing that than what hard laborers make digging ditches all day, I'm reluctant to contribute. I hate the way many of them stare you down if you get caught at a red-light, trying to guilt-trip you into giving in.
I understand the economy is tough and not everyone can find decent-paying work, but most of the panhandlers I see seem to be in fine physical shape, just found that they could make more money begging than working as day-laborers. I'd rather the government just give everyone a check (basic wage), versus people having to degrade themselves like that and make spectacles out of themselves, not to mention impede/slow traffic.