This is becoming more common in my town. I just either feel like an ass saying I dont have cash, or lying, but I also can’t be giving out 20’s to everyone who asks.
I feel bad for most of them but at the same time I get anxiety walking down the sidewalk and seeing someone up ahead that I know is going to ask me for money. Its not like you can say “oh no, I donate to services that help the needy” because that person isn’t necessarily being helped by that. And ignoring completely feels so mean, plus I tried that one time and the person was screaming at me as i walked away that I ignored them.
I also dont want my city to round them up and send them to prison camps, something they are planning and that I know a lot of people would vote for just to “get rid of them” but im not supporting that at all.
Its tough.
Depending on how they ask, it’s either a short polite “no” or I just ignore them (it’s mostly the former, thankfully). I rarely, if ever, have cash on me. And although it sometimes happen, I’m not exactly safe from a single bad month putting me under anyway.
Something I won’t do is insult/harass/otherwise make them even more miserable. If I can’t help them, I’m sure as hell won’t make things worse for them.
I almost never have cash or even change now, so that’s what I tell them. I used to give them some money if I had it and wasn’t immediately going to use it. One of my old friends used to give them a beer out of a pack he bought if there was a person outside the store or on the corner begging on the drive to wherever he was going.
Homeless people over here accept Venmo or similar
I just tell them I’ve only got my card on me and keep walking.
As physical money is becoming more and more obsolete this is becoming less of a lie. And I certainly don’t carry change on me anymore.
I used to give them whatever small change/bills I had on me, but then I realized that effectively added up to another monthly bill and I’m trying to save up for a home and need to have rainy day money in case my car eats shit. I vote to help them every chance I get and that is enough. If that isn’t enough, then that’s our system’s fault, not my personal fault.
I walk faster because I don’t know if they are asking for themselves, checking to steal from you (checking who has money, how much and if it’s kept somewhere they can easily take it) or working for someone worse to kidnap you.
Living in México City does wonders to paranoia.
If I am not in a position to give i look the person in the eye, smile apologetically and say, “no, sorry.” I try not to ignore them and i am never rude. No one has ever reacted badly.
Been there done that. You never, ever know what’s the story behind a beggar. If I have and feel like it and I’m not in a rush I give. This is a fucked up world.
“Seriously? Do I look like I have money?”
It’s not honest but effective:
Make and maintain eye contact from at least 20 feet away, when you’re close enough to be heard: ask them if they have any spare change.
Why be an asshole to a homeless person? What are you, an American?
“What do you mean you don’t. You got a bunch in that bucket right there.”
Usually im with my kids, why would you ask a parent with kids for money? Any money I have is for the kids
I once experienced , in my 22. I gave out about 10 dol , then got keeping asked (i was too shy to reject!) so at last i gave out 50 dol, all what i took from school my college. bad grammar sry
very bad :/
Say “Sorry can’t help right now”, and keep walking.
I tell them the truth, I don’t have any cash on me.
On the rare ocassion i do, I’ll give $10 - $20. Because I’ve been on the position where $20 is the difference between eating today or not, and it’s terrifying.
Yeah same, I give them money, but I don’t usually carry cash.
My brother has told me many times before that giving them money ain’t gonna do nothing because that’s money that they can use for drugs if they’re addicted. He says buying them food is better.
As messed up as it is, kinda gotta agree, especially since zi don’t know who’s an addict and who’s not.
I normally ignore them because I don’t keep physical cash on me unless I’m making an as discrete as possible purchase. It may sound kinda cruel, but I find it easy for me to just ignore them and pretend they don’t exist. Don’t know whether that’s more of a personality thing with me or because of my autism already making me less likely to wanna deal with people in general.
My name is not “hey mister” so I don’t think it’s rude to ignore. Especially since they’re going to give you a line about having to get gas to visit their kid. Let’s skip the lying and get right to the point.
Have to pretend they’re not there. It’s awful. But I don’t think that if I give them a few quid they’ll turn their life around
I prefer to donate to food banks
I made it a personal rule that if I have a $5, it goes to whoever asks. I don’t seek people out, but if it’s asked, and I have that five dollar bill with me, it’s theirs.
