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?