Today's beggar... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MTUpower · #1 12-22-2012, 10:48 PM

I saw a beggar with a sign today in the median while on my way to eat with my son. He was limping. I gave nothing but sometimes (perhaps 20%) I do. Not much rhyme or reason why I do. I thought I'll buy the guy some fries and a burger when my son and I ate. Later when we were eating he came into the establishment (fast food) and my son overheard him asking for change. He talked with some other people and I was about to go get the fries and burger I thought about earlier- then I noticed he was not limping. He reached up and I noticed he had a i-phone with a otter-box case on his waist. He went outside and conversed with two young men. One of them took his sign and "worked" the median while the older man rested. The young man returned and the older man then returned and worked the median. I approached the younger men and asked if they knew the older man now has a limp but earlier he did not. I told them his actions did not seem "real". Of course this did not go over well- and the old man returned and I asked him why he was limping and then not limping. That went over worse. I asked him how he afforded a i-phone and it's monthly plan costs. He then lifted his shirt and told me how many surgeries he had and how bad life was in a loud voice ... I left with my son and continued on back to soccer practice. This highlights one of the reasons I prefer to give to charities rather than directly to people or have the feds take my money and then distribute it as they feel the need to.

What are your thoughts?

Idle · #2 12-22-2012, 11:02 PM

There is an entire Opera about this situation.

'The Three Penny Opera' by Bertolt Brecht. It is rarely staged, but a film version is available in German with English subtitles.

You should be able to secure it through NetFlix.

aklim · #3 12-22-2012, 11:03 PM

No good deed goes unpunished.

When we pass, everything we own gets liquidated and given to maintaining our dogs till they pass and whatever left gets to the humane society. At least I know those dogs are really needing.

Chris Bell · #4 12-22-2012, 11:30 PM

I will occasionally buy a sandwich and an apple or something along those line and give this. I NEVER give cash.

Skid Row Joe · #5 12-22-2012, 11:44 PM

The street beggars I routinely encounter, as observed, are one or more of the following:

Younger than I, hence more able-bodied .
Smoking a cigarette.
Have a cell phone.
Noticeably overweight, .
Dressed with newer blue jeans / athletic shoes than I wear.

It's really a con game I see running - all tax-free. It never changes.

t walgamuth · #6 12-23-2012, 12:14 AM

I give cash from time to time, not always. I never give cash to people in the median strip.

Jim B. · #7 12-23-2012, 01:18 AM

In legal ethics class back in the early 1970s the law Professor asked us this:

Supposing you used the services of a hooker where prostitution is illegal, after accepting her offer, and then you paid her in counterfeit bills afterwards.

Is this justifiable? Discuss.

davidlee · #8 12-23-2012, 04:54 AM

Sometimes I give a dollar, sometimes I dont, I have an old stale pack of cigarets I keep in the glove box and pass them out sometimes if Im in a weird mood, and some times when they ask if I can spare some change I say yeah. but Im not giving it to you, My friend witnessed this once and told me I was rude, and I said, No, standing on the corner asking everyone for their money is rude. CHECHMATE!

davidlee · #9 12-23-2012, 04:56 AM

Sometimes I give a dollar, sometimes I dont, I have an old stale pack of cigarets I keep in the glove box and pass them out sometimes if Im in a weird mood, and some times when they ask if I can spare some change I say yeah. but Im not giving it to you, My friend witnessed this once and told me I was rude, and I said, No, scamming...I mean standing on the corner asking everyone for their money is rude. CHECHMATE!

layback40 · #10 12-23-2012, 06:18 AM

A few years ago a group of us from Rotary decided to help out at a Sally's Christmas lunch for the underprivileged. It was a real eye opener. Plenty of near new cars parked near the hall, the families were in for a free lunch. I knew several that were there supposedly doing it hard that had $100 k+ jobs. It was a first & last for the group of us. It is hard to take when you see these "fallen on hard times" individuals filling their faces & then leaving in their near new BMW.

Kuan · #11 12-23-2012, 06:57 AM

I'll give them a buck or two. It doesn't hurt me, and if they really need it, good.

t walgamuth · #12 12-23-2012, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

In legal ethics class back in the early 1970s the law Professor asked us this:

Supposing you used the services of a hooker where prostitution is illegal, after accepting her offer, and then you paid her in counterfeit bills afterwards.

Is this justifiable? Discuss.

To a lawyer or just to an ordinary Joe.....er, John.

greazzer · #13 12-23-2012, 08:43 AM

Yes, unfortunately, this seems to be the norm on many occasions. During 2012, I had folks approach me for a "hand-out" or standing by the intersection street light. I know that is not the best or nicest term. Every time they wanted money and about 50% of the time, they stated a specific amount, e.g., .85 cents or $1.50, et cet. Every time I offered to buy them food and told them specifically I would drive down to X and pick them up Y, et cet. Everyone said no dice. I was once in a fast food place during this past spring time, and someone approached me and said they haven't eaten in 24 hours. I did not even start my meal. I told them take mine. They looked at me like I was crazy. I even told the guy I would buy him a dessert. He looked at me like I was crazy and said he just wanted $2.00. I told him he could have a full meal which costs about 10 bucks. I told him that I did not even touch the food. I then offered him to go to the counter with me, order what he wanted, I would pay, and there was no issue of me just touching the tray. He still looked at me and said he just wanted $2.00. I said it's food or nothing. He looked a little PO'd and said he would take a coke, which I got him. He took that and walked outside and had a smoke while I ate.

As for my children, part of their yearly school obligation is community hours and Christmas family adoption. So far, my daughter has a somewhat bitter taste in her mouth since one family a few years ago had a flat screen TV which made ours look silly and some other hi-end electronics which made us look primitive. Of course we are. LOL.

My son really enjoys the Home Works program where you work on someone's house who is either elderly or infirmed. That program is a success in my opinion. Those individuals are truly down on their luck, normally very old with major home repairs needed. My son learns some skills and the beauty of manual labor and he is doing a good deed for someone in need.

Overall, it's a mixed bag but I agree that those who take advantage of the system or just play the system really just hurt those who could really use it. Doesn't stop one from giving, just makes the giving more savvy.

Merry Christmas

jplinville · #14 12-23-2012, 09:24 AM

When we lived in UT, there was an older guy that we often fed. We'd make a few sandwiches and add a few apples or a banana or two, and drop it off it him nearly daily. He was truly homeless, pushing a shopping cart, scrounging for cans, etc. We would also give him our crushed cans so he could collect the cash from them.

Locally, the public gets hammered with the beggars outside of the Heinz plant on the local highway, where multiple on ramps and traffic keep traffic at a crawl during the day. Those people are well fed, clean shaven (generally), wearing higher dollar clothes than I wear, and carrying a smartphone, texting, while holding their signs. When we first moved here, I'd give a bit to them, until they started remembering me and expecting it.

I'd rather help the truly needy through programs at church, school, or through the lodge. With those groups involved, I know that the money is generally being used properly.

The Swede · #15 12-23-2012, 09:44 AM

I give them a lecture or possibly some black tar heroin.

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