Well, I noticed the comment about race, and couldn't really decide how to respond. It sucks that there are so many black homeless and so many black panhandlers. I don't mean it sucks because they're black and have no homes; I mean it sucks because it creates yet another stereotype. It sucks that there are any homeless people at all, for the former, more philanthropic reason.
Anyway.
I never give money to anyone who asks, anymore. I usually only carry my debit and credit cards, anyway, or if I do have money, it's usually 10s and up. "Sorry, man" is, nine times out of ten, enough to get someone out of my face.
I can't stand most beggars. They stand on street corners all around Houston, and they walk up and down in between lanes at red lights, asking people for money. And then they stand between the moving lines of cars after the light turns. It's a great little traffic disruption.
There's this one guy near my house, who isn't a beggar -- he sells bottled water. And he gives away half sheets of paper with information on how to get into heaven. Only, he has the sales pitch of reaching or leaning in your window if you leave it open. I've even seen him stick his hand into someone's sunroof. I can't stand that guy. Bellaire and 59.
Going back to race, all the beggars in Houston are either black or white. Yes, a significant portion of the street population here is white. I've never seen an Asian on a street corner (goes without saying), nor a Hispanic. Maybe it's because Hispanics actually want to work to make a living.
*sigh*