Beggars - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

daveuz · #61 11-21-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I'd guesstimate the number at 90% or better being bums and freeloaders. Not one bum has ever taken me up on my advice to go to the nearest church, or for me the call 911 for help. Not a single one. You do the math on their "needyness....."

Yes Church.. the most successful begging operation...heck people even wake up early on Sundays just to go toss money in the basket.

Jim B. · #62 11-21-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

So, therefore, similar to the nanny state, we cannot let the beggar decide for himself how he will spend the money that we give to him? We must determine where and how that money should go by forcing him to buy food with it?

No, you are right.

Let them spend the money you give them, to feed their drug, nicotine or alcohol habit.

Making them "feel better" for a short time is a wonderful way to help them, isn't it?

Jim B. · #63 11-21-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveuz

Yes Church.. the most successful begging operation...heck people even wake up early on Sundays just to go toss money in the basket.

I was in the congregation and the Pastor announced, after his sermon, he had a "special appeal" for a mission that was $6,000 short of the $23,000 needed, and the family that wanted to go, would explain more.

A local husband and wife and their teenage daughter came onto the dais and explained that one morning they got up and decided a trip to Morocco would be nice if hey could spnd about a month with a host family in in their exact words,)

"Wouldn't it be nicer to see them bowing down to Jesus Christ instead of to Allah?"

They went on to say, "Our plans after a month of this, would be to return home, but with a stop off to go shopping in Paris".

(I am NOT making any of this up, it is exactly what was said). This happened at a heavily attended and popular local "mainstream" church in this area.

So, when I went through the line at the end of he sermon, to shake hands with the Pastor, (as custom dictates,) I said to him:

"I think what was proposed by this family would be an excellent way for them, and their host family, to get themselves killed."

But the Pastor grinned at me, showing all his teeth (to me it looked like a hideous death rictus grin), and said, to me:

"GOD will take care of them."

I don't know what finally happened, whether or not they got the $6,000 and went or not.

I never stuck around to find out.

In fact that incident ended forever, 30 years of churchgoing in San Francisco, and then this mountain church, right then.

Never again with any of them.

BobK · #64 11-21-2010, 12:59 PM

Cincinnati has some fairly tight begging laws. I have always wondered if they apply to politicians looking for campaign contributions, or perhaps the Fine Arts fund, Neediest Kids of All, United Appeal. Id rather give to the beggars.

retmil46 · #65 11-21-2010, 01:03 PM

My relatives usually take care of any extra cash I might have.

Skid Row Joe · #66 11-21-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

Now, all that said, it sounds like your situation was different because a dollar won't buy a sandwich and he was basically saying that a dollar wasn't enough. I, like you, would not have reacted well to that.

What you had there was, a guy that has decided to get more per victim/sucker that is offering cash.

The bum has hatched a scheme in the form of a quick statement or story, whereby he controls the amount of money he chooses to accept from each donor. He has engineered a way to belittle and embarrass the donor, to get more of their money. He has decided to risk losing all donations this way - but he gives himself the power over the pawns that are fortunate enough for him to accept their money.

As the bum stated; $1 isn't enough...... Were I personally stupid enough to be handing a bum a dollar, and he reacted that way, I would have had to pursue just what his buy-in number was to accept free money.

Is it gonna be $5, $10, or even $20, before you will allow me to give you free money?

My reactions have evolved into either just laughing at them on the street while shaking my head, or booming loudly at them; "you gotta be kidding me, you want me to give you my money that I worked for?!" The last one usually gets a look like they are wondering if I am getting ready to escalate my behavior.

daveuz · #67 11-21-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

What you had there was, a guy that has decided to get more per sucker that is offering cash.

As the bum stated; $1 isn't enough...... Were I stupid enough to be handing a bum a dollar, and he reacted that way, I would have had to pursue just what his buy-in number was to accept free money.

Is it gonna be $5, $10, or even $20, before you will allow me to give you free money?

My reactions have evolved into either just laughing at them on the street while shaking my head, or booming loudly at them; "you gotta be kidding me, you want me to give you my money that I worked for?!" The last one usually gets a look like they are wondering if I am getting ready to escalate my behavior.

The people begging at your church??

barry123400 · #68 11-21-2010, 07:21 PM

It was so epidemic in downtown Toronto for a period there. I had to resort to saying jeeze I was just going to ask you for a little change myself. The beggars were as thick as fleas so for all I know they really thought I was one with my responce.

You were hit several times when walking a block. For whatever reason it has since moderated substantially. What really disturbed me was seeing people literally living on the streets as well.

That does not occur where I live as it is simply illegal to do so. Seems to work. Another factor is we do not seem to have members of the local population that are in various states of mental disorders. They possibly moved to the big cities. Or tend to live near mental instututions. Or where other treatment centers are located.

I also suspect such activity would reflect on a beggars family. So it would be dealt with if attempted. All families know someone in all the other families locally. A population townwise and rural of perhaps thirty thousand with almost no imigation or transients whatsoever. Versus the melting pot I grew up in. Every trip back to Toronto makes me wonder why people choose to remain there.

Hatterasguy · #69 11-21-2010, 07:26 PM

Winter takes care of them around here.

TylerH860 · #70 11-21-2010, 07:39 PM

Housing is so cheap in my area its easy to find a 1 bedroom apartment for around $300 a month. We also have quite a few "Oxford Houses" which give addicts a place to stay after treatment for practically nothing. They keep things religiously clean, and have a zero tolerance policy for any substance abuse.

The only people that I've come up and ask me for money around here are black people downtown at night when all the bars are hoppin'. Most of the time they are on bicycles, and look far from homeless. I just think they have no qualms asking for handouts. (I'll leave it at that)

#71 11-21-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

So, therefore, similar to the nanny state, we cannot let the beggar decide for himself how he will spend the money that we give to him? We must determine where and how that money should go by forcing him to buy food with it?

No personal responsibility for beggars?

UH, I think it's safe to say that a begger has proven that they are unable to take responsibility for their own actions. If I think they are truly in need, I will feed them, but I will NOT trust them with money. They can very easily buy drugs or whatever with it.

Do I feel that people should take responsibility for their own actions? ABSOLUTELY! I take responsibility for my actions and that's why I won't give a bum money. What if he buys a bottle of Night Train, gets drunk and kills somebody? I don't want to have any responsibility for that. Do you?

If that bum gets a job and EARNS money, then it is HIS responsibility to do the right thing with the money.

Basically if someone is hungry, I'll feed them, but I'm not going to give them money.

Skid Row Joe · #72 12-15-2010, 02:43 PM

Just yesterday at mid-afternoon an easily overweight by 30+ pounds, 40 something woman with dyed hair, wandering the strip shopping center parking lot called to me from about 30 feet away, that she needed money for a motel room. I paused from walking and just stared at her. She walked toward me and as she drew closer, I asked if she had a cell phone. She produced it and I told here to call my church St. _________ on _______ street not 2 miles away if she needed help. She told me to dial the number for her. I told her to call 411 for the number herself, before I walked away shaking my head. Next time I'm going to suggest they call 911 with their cell phone if they really are in need of something.....

Mr.Kenny · #73 12-15-2010, 02:55 PM

So I am standing there outside the Dillon's grocery store with my steaming latte in hand, sleepy eyed, enjoying the morning when out of the blue a lady drops a handful of change in my hot coffee.

Okay, i decide it's time to shave the beard off.....

aklim · #74 12-15-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Just yesterday at mid-afternoon an easily overweight by 30+ pounds, 40 something woman with dyed hair, wandering the strip shopping center parking lot called to me from about 30 feet away, that she needed money for a motel room. I paused from walking and just stared at her. She walked toward me and as she drew closer, I asked if she had a cell phone. She produced it and I told here to call my church St. _________ on _______ street not 2 miles away if she needed help. She told me to dial the number for her. I told her to call 411 for the number herself, before I walked away shaking my head. Next time I'm going to suggest they call 911 with their cell phone if they really are in need of something.....

I just ignore then and walk on. Why even bother to waste your time and effort?

tbomachines · #75 12-15-2010, 02:56 PM

I used to live in an area frequented by homeless and mentally unstable "bums" if you will. Each of them were actually pretty nice and just about everyone knew them in the area. After they asked you for money a couple times they would come to recognize you and just say hi, make some conversation. I've bought a couple of them nice hot hoagies or coffee at wawa and they really appreciated it.

Edit: there was one really nasty guy who always wore bright yellow suspenders and start fights though, seemed like he was pretty severely autistic though