[VegasGrace]

I've searched, and I've watched others.

I cannot afford to pay support for others....just can't do it. Today when I had to say 'no' it killed me.

I've been here 2 weeks (1 week was literally spent in San Diego...so really only 1 week).

I've been approached 5 times already from those asking for money.

What is the best thing to do for:

When walking into or out of a store and someone solicits money?

Someone walks up to your car window asking for money?

Someone asks you for a ride- at your car window?

While in San Diego...saw the same thing you see here. I saw this one guy coming out of a store w/ ice and chips....his response was "yo dude! I used plastic- sorry I don't have any change..."

My daughter used that line today at the 7-11.

Anyone?

Can I in return as them for money? hahaha Felt like it! With gas over $4 and I can't even buy groceries for my family w/o cringing....I need money from the beggars!

[airics]

hey don't kid yourself, some of those guys are frauds and make alot of money... just ignore them.. just like the porn pushers on the strip with the cards......get a deck of cards, when they try to hand you one, you give them one of yours...

[Daddys///M3]

I have to admit I've never had someone ask for a ride before.

When they walk up to your car just ignore them. If they approach you outside of a store just say no. In my opinion they don't even deserve the stress or work of actually making up an excuse. I know that there are some folks out there that have seen legitimate hardship through no fault of their own. However those folks, in my opinion, know where the real help is and seek it out. The panhandlers for the most part are alcoholics or drug abusers that don't wish to work or get it together.

Case in point, I had a guy ask me for some money for food outside of a Salvation Army (I think that's what it is) in Henderson. Well, that particular location actually feeds those that can't provide for themselves. When questioned on that he gave me some BS excuse. I actually had a couple of sandwiches for my lunch that day, so I offered him one of those. He gave me some other BS excuse (My stomach can't handle bread, BS). I've offered to buy other folks something at McDonalds before, only to have them turn down my generosity. The only way to avoid enabling those that would use you is to avoid helping anyone in that way. If one really feels obligated to donate to the homeless, there are numerous charities in town that can help or if donating money is not an option one can donate time in a soup kitchen or shelter.

[airics]

also you can donate to the animal shelters too

[MR77]

Im sorry to be heartless, but I completely ignore them. In my car, I roll up the windows, which are black, and lock the door. If someone walks up to me in a store or parking lot with some sob story about how thier car is broke down miles up the road, I simply just say no. Most people will move on to the next guy.

Im sure there are some actually needy people out there, but if I gave them all a buck I'd be broke.

[guinnessjim]

i'll give food if i have some, but never $.

daddy summed it up well w/ the people who are down on their luck through legitimate hardship will pbby know where to find help (although i am sure there are gray areas). unfortunately, a lot of the panhandlers etc. do this for a living or are supporting a habit.

my brother works extensively w/ the homeless in philly (helps feed them and gets them their ID and social security cards so they can get make an attempt to get back on their feet...he and i don't see eye to eye on a lot of stuff but i am very much in awe of his work there). spending some time w/ him and his friends on the street really changed my view on things....one of them being giving $$ to people. food or clothing is great...$$ often hurts more than it helps.

sad, but unfortunately often true.

[LisaCenteno]

I give no one anything at all and I feel damn good about it. I usually tell them to go to jail and they can get 3 hots and a cot from there. If I happen to have my children with me I ALWAYS point them out and ask them why in the world would I take food out of my kids mouth to feed them. I hate all of these people, especially the men for they have no pride. NONE. New York seemed much worse though.

[PinkString]

The only time I've been approached by people looking for money,etc, is when I visit the east side of town. It seems there's always about 5-6 lurkers in the parking lot looking for handouts. Also people trying to sell things...

There's always guys near many freeway entrances with their sign "Will work for food" but they always want money and will refuse food like some of the posters above have found out.
One guy last week was limping on his right leg, carrying his little sign, but the week before it was his left. So i told him he was limping on the wrong leg. He goes "oh" then starts limping on the left leg again. lol I didn't give him money, just advice: get a real job.

I never see the panhandlers in my area or people asking for money in the parking lots or looking for rides. I guess it's just certain area's. And if you see the same people all the time, they are doing it for a living.

The only time i was ever approached to give someone a ride was several years ago, after 9pm when I was leaving Wild Oats(which is now whole foods) at Tenaya/Lake Mead. A nice enough woman with groceries was asking just anyone for a lift home to her apt. I declined, because she may have been ok, but I am really leery of anyone I don't know getting in my car.. I felt sorry for her, but I did see her getting into the back seat of a car before I left, with a husband and wife leaving the store.

Grace, just keep all your doors locked and windows closed. And just ignore them. If you feel bad, just say, sorry, I'm broke like you are. They'll go to their next target.

[Daddys///M3]

Originally Posted by LisaCenteno

I give no one anything at all and I feel damn good about it. I usually tell them to go to jail and they can get 3 hots and a cot from there. If I happen to have my children with me I ALWAYS point them out and ask them why in the world would I take food out of my kids mouth to feed them. I hate all of these people, especially the men for they have no pride. NONE. New York seemed much worse though.

That's a little harsh. Obviously you don't have to feel any sympathy or empathy for them, but I don't think that hating them accomplishes anything, and in fact probably is a negative influence in your life. I don't see how a female bum is any better than a male bum. I was actually homeless for 3 years myself. Extenuating circumstances caused me to become homeless, and through hard work and just plain willpower I was able to turn it around. I never panhandled, and actually worked some very low paying jobs while I was living that life (because of my pride). I was not a drug addict and I was not an alcoholic. I am now a husband and a father, as well as a homeowner and a succesful business professional. Not saying that your entirely incorrect in your generalizations, and I may be the exception, but it is best not to judge. Sometimes crap happens that is beyond our control, and sometimes people just make mistakes.

[Buzz123]

The professionals who work with the homeless and others down on their luck say that the ones begging for money are running a scam and to just ignore them. The ones I see on a regular basis are probably making more than I do. I just ignore the ones at stop lights. To the ones that approach me in a parking lot I usually say I earned my money and I'm not giving it to you, but I'll help get you a job right now. They usually take off when I mention work. As far as homeless people, they have professionals to help them. Most of them live that way because they choose to, and wouldn't live in a house if you gave them free rent. The ones that I empathise with are the ones that are homeless through no fault of their own, but those people will not be homeless for long. They are the ones that will work two or three jobs in order to get back on their feet. Most of them, though, want to live the way they do, wouldn't work if you put a gun to their heads, and don't deserve any sympathy, and especially none of your hard earned money.