Best way to deal with panhandlers and people that demand money? (Houston: gated, food)

[chad.roper]

Has anyone else encountered people that will yell "Hey you got a dollar!?"
Most of the time if you are bigger or about the same size and you act aggressive they will leave you alone. They are trying to see if you are easy to rob. In other large cities is it the same way? If you act aggressive do they usually leave you alone.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by chad.roper

Has anyone else encountered people that will yell "Hey you got a dollar!?"
Most of the time if you are bigger or about the same size and you act aggressive they will leave you alone. They are trying to see if you are easy to rob. In other large cities is it the same way? If you act aggressive do they usually leave you alone.

Don't look them in the eye and keep walking.

[texas7]

You don't need to act aggressively nor act like you want to start a fight. The vast majority are not trying to see if they can rob you. I've been working downtown for many years and see them on a daily basis to the point of where you kind of know them or at least recognize them. If you just keep walking and don't respond -- they don't usually bother you. Even if you do respond with "no, I don't, or not today" then that is pretty much it.

[jluke65780]

I always just say "I only have my card" and they'll respond with a thank you and leave you alone.

[rb4browns]

Originally Posted by chad.roper

Has anyone else encountered people that will yell "Hey you got a dollar!?"
Most of the time if you are bigger or about the same size and you act aggressive they will leave you alone. They are trying to see if you are easy to rob. In other large cities is it the same way? If you act aggressive do they usually leave you alone.

I have found that by acting aggressively and punching every single person I see in the head, I never have to worry about panhandlers in Houston.

[Radical_Car]

Originally Posted by rb4browns

I have found that by acting aggressively and punching every single person I see in the head, I never have to worry about panhandlers in Houston.

That made me laugh really hard,

i have seen them in my city (st. cloud, mn) and this city only has like a population of 60000, i ignore em

[Oildog]

I make an annual donation to the food bank at Xmas and ignore the vagrants guilt free.

[Sunnydee]

We donate to the Salvation Army and ignore all other pleas for money. I used to give handouts, but the govt. now does enough of that with my money, so I don't need to any longer.

[Thaskateguy]

I ask them for money first soon as they approach me. then give them grief, for being tight wads when they don't pay up. fun works both ways. They act like I'm here to take care of them, so what's good for the goose----Life on the Strets can be most entertaining, if you like to share.

[DrLizardo]

Originally Posted by Thaskateguy

I ask them for money first soon as they approach me.

I used to do that when I worked downtown. You could see them coming, sizing you up; and then, just before they had the chance, I'd beat them to the punch and ask them if they had any spare change. That usually confused them long enough that I'd be out of range before they figured out their next move. Except for the guy that gave me a quarter.

I contribute regularly to the Star of Hope and don't feel obligated to give a dime to street people. Besides, I don't want to pay to feed their addictions and keep them on the streets and away from any real help that is available.