PSA: Tourists please don't give money to random people that approach you with sob stories

[SanyBelle]

Originally Posted by StarfishKey

....
While we're on the topic, I must say I am shocked that Miami allows people to hang out and run through every intersection begging, trying to squeegie your windows, and sell limes and flowers. Other major cities do not allow this. It is tacky and not good for tourism, and also incredibly dangerous because people are always on the verge of getting hit by cars, not to mention it slows up traffic. It is also irritating, because they go out of their way to try to make you feel guilty for not giving out money every time you come to a red light - which is dozens of times a day.

Why is this allowed? I drive on US1 between South Miami and the Falls and someone is always at the major intersections.

[AnnRyan]

It's hard to stop, but considering how awful traffic is in the county, it would move faster if people stopped interacting with all these folks in the intersections.

[BNBR]

A lot less panhandlers in the intersections than there used to be. The cities are passing ordinances, somewhat recently, giving officers the authority to get rid of the beggars. I see a lot fewer than I used to.

[ElGuito]

Thing is, WE don't have to wait until the State, the City pass ordinances.
Do not give them money, do not give them anything, do not purchase.
They'll move on.

Do not fall into the "veteran" "just need money for food"
There are (notwithstanding what You see on Internet) programs and institutions where they can get help.

A lady ( in the vicinity of NW 17TH AVE and I-836) approached me at the parking lot of a chain pharmacy with a shopping cart containing a baby and three small children in tow "No thank You lady I only have credit card" a few days later She was was at the grocery store and I said something like Cannot You or your husband get a job and she gave me the story of her "cancer" more days later at another grocery store. Good marketing, baby and dirty 5-6-7 year olds.

[boxus]

- the "veterans" on the corners collecting money in a boot, dressed in the worse military wannabe garb there is.
- the guy who says so-and-so is in the hospital, and he needs money for a bus to get there.
- the most irritating one; the idiots in stores who go around and try to sell CDs of their music.