What do you do when approached by panhandlers on Cta? (Chicago: buy, gated)

[thefallensrvnge]

In the Loop, I don't actually get hit up for money that much. I think I don't look like the kind of person that has a lot of money (not on purpose...). Also, I usually wear bigger sunglasses, so it is impossible to tell if I've made eye contact or not. On the cta I might just plug in some earphones to tune them out all together. But I'll give if I've got the money, or food if I can spare it. And San Franscico is the worst I've ever seen the panhandler per capita.

Nevertheless, I find my run-ins with PETA to be far more annoying.

[ChicagoMeO]

I dont give them money. If I even stop a minute when they say "Can i ask you a question" its not really to ask you a question like someone asking directions, its "Can you give me money" is the next sentence. the fact that I stopped and gave him/her attention, is just the next step in letting them give you their story. so i dont even answer. Even when the guy at the corner always says something like "I like your haircut" ... he's begging for money and i guess he feels giving me a compliment will release some money to him.

the strangest experience i had was when i was eating chicken in a fast food restaurant,, i ate all the meat off the bones and there was only bones left on my plate. a hungry person came by and asked if she could have my food, i said all i got is gones, then without saying anything, that person took the chicken bones off my plate and put a few in her mouth ... she was eating my chicken bones. then she left. that was very strange.

[Chicago87]

Originally Posted by williepotatoes

I have a recently departed uncle who spent about a year on the street in Uptown back in the 90s. He used shelters, charities and also hustled money anyway he could. His pride eventually kicked which returned him to the workforce. He also got counseling.

Sorry about your loss.

This is an excellent example of the vast amount of resources available to the people out there and how they don't have to be homeless if they are actually willing to WORK!

[JRittle123]

Originally Posted by Chicago87

Here is an example of a man that earn $60,000 a year from panhandling.
Panhandler Shane Warren Speegle Says He Made $60,000 A Year Begging On Street

That's right, $60,000! I know hardworking people and even families that don't earn that much!

I wanna know his secret so I can quit my crappy paying day job....lol

[Jesse69]

I'm willing to work but I could go homeless if I lose our house due to property taxes. My parents paying all the bills keeps me alive. I would struggle a lot now if I had to get by alone only on my SSDI. I'd try to get any job to supplement it.

Sometimes I give to homeless people.

[NorCal Dude]

You guys have it good. Chicago is old school. Bums know their place and stay out of the trendy areas. They ask politely and know when to cower and back off.


Come to sf where they expect and demand hand outs. I'm talking about a city where u wake up, find a bum pooping on your stoop. You push him off, call the cops, and the police come and arrest YOU. Chicaga?? Pffft you got it made

[Freefall18]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

I hear it all the time downtown in the loop and have gotten use to just ignoring. Come to think of it though I take cta every day but can't remember ever being hit up for money ON the cta.

I find this hard to believe. Are you taking a bus or the 'L'? Because I get it all the time on the 'L' and I don't even ride it all that often. Then again, I tend to ride it later in the day


And food stamps and shelter programs being how they are, there's no reason to beg for food. This just doesn't make sense to me.

[marothisu]

I've been hit up for money on the L but it's not a huge percent of the time, but it's not "never" personally. Maybe once every month or every other month.

[Not_liking_FL]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

I'm willing to work but I could go homeless if I lose our house due to property taxes. My parents paying all the bills keeps me alive. I would struggle a lot now if I had to get by alone only on my SSDI. I'd try to get any job to supplement it.

Sometimes I give to homeless people.

If you're willing to work why don't you get a job now and help your parents with their taxes?

[Jesse69]

Originally Posted by Not_liking_FL

If you're willing to work why don't you get a job now and help your parents with their taxes?

I've been trying to get eng work since moving to Chicago Feb 2009 but I never got hired anywhere. I might have to look for a 24 hr / week PT job now.