Interesting expose on panhandlers

[miri]

Local news did a expose on panhandlers and interviewed many. Most panhandlers are not homeless but rather live with other panhandlers in cheap housing. They work 2-4 hour shifts a day and average around $20-$40 a hour. What they basically do is work a certain corner, their corners are like their territories, if another panhandler encroaches then they confront the encroacher and make them leave. Anyway basically to them panhandling is a part time job that pays very well, and since their expenses are so low they are able to buy a lot of alcohol and drugs. You could tell that they were getting agitated by the news cameras because they were scaring away the people that give them money.

The news also interviewed a local homeless shelter and the shelter said that there is always help available for homeless people, including living accomodations, food, clean clothes, counseling etc. The homeless shelter said do not give money to panhandlers because they are usually likely not homeless and will spend the money on drugs. If the panhandlers really needed help they would go to the shelters.

Panhandling at street corners is also one stop shopping. One time I was at this busy intersection waiting with around 10 cars. I see a homeless man run towards a car and I see a shady dude inside the car. I was like ahh, how sweet of that man to give the poor panhandler money. Then I looked closer and I saw the guy was selling the panhandler drugs. Not only can panhandlers get money at street corners but they can buy drugs there easy, one stop shopping.

 

[Doggiedog]

Why doesn't this surprise me?

In NYC, the panhandlers become squeegee dudes in the summer.

 

[meltdown75]

One time in Toronto, my friend and I sat down with a homeless person and asked him what it was like. We were both from really small towns. He talked to us for a while and said he chose to be there. We bought him a pack of smokes, and he thought we were cool.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i know people that have panhandled for a few quick bucks

 

[Encryptic]

Can't say I'm surprised. I've heard this story before about panhandlers making pretty decent money.

 

[dullard]

This has been going on for ages. I'll always remember one news clip I saw years ago of a guy begging for money. At the time bars were about to open, he walked behind some bushes, removed his fake dirty clothes to reveal a nice suit, washed fake dirt off his face with a clean-wipe, and entered his brand new SUV to go party with his friends. Basically, he didn't want his wife to know how much he drank so he'd beg for ~2 hours after work to get $50 for drinking.

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Why doesn't this surprise me?

In NYC, the panhandlers become squeegee dudes in the summer.

after years of not seeing squeegee dudes, i finally saw one 2 months back

im also seeing kids do the squeegee thing now...how sad

 

[Hammer]

and that's the problem. why work a minimum wage job when you can make 3 times that doing nothing.

 

[GeneValgene]

i think this is the reason most people beg....

pic

 

[BigLouis]

Originally posted by: Hammer
and that's the problem. why work a minimum wage job when you can make 3 times that doing nothing.

Well for most people it would be a matter of dignity. Isn't that the deterrent for most? I would assume that the people that shelve their pride do so due to dependence on a substance.

 

[Triumph]

Note to self: Quit job, become a panhandler.

 

[miri]

One of the worse signs i saw was a fat woman with a sign that read "Im hungry"

 

[BigLouis]

Originally posted by: miri
One of the worse signs i saw was a fat woman with a sign that read "Im hungry"

Despite the fact that you may be able to live off body fat doesn't mean that your body isn't hungry.

:roll:

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: BigLouis

Originally posted by: Hammer
and that's the problem. why work a minimum wage job when you can make 3 times that doing nothing.

Well for most people it would be a matter of dignity. Isn't that the deterrent for most? I would assume that the people that shelve their pride do so due to dependence on a substance.

You don't have too much more dignity flipping burgers or taking orders from fat people all day really.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: miri
The news also interviewed a local homeless shelter and the shelter said that there is always help available for homeless people, including living accomodations, food, clean clothes, counseling etc. The homeless shelter said do not give money to panhandlers because they are usually likely not homeless and will spend the money on drugs. If the panhandlers really needed help they would go to the shelters.

Yeah, and what are you going to spend the money on?

 

[kranky]

At one time there was actually a school for panhandlers in NYC. Don't know if it's still there.

 

[CarlKillerMiller]

To quote abbey Hoffman,

PANHANDLING
The practice of going up to folks and bumming money is a basic hustling art. If you are successful at panhandling, you'll be able to master all the skills in the book and then some. To be good at it requires a complete knowledge of what motivates people. Even if we don't need the bread, we panhandle on the streets in the same way doctors go back to medical school. It helps us stay in shape. Panhandling is illegal throughout Pig Empire, but it's one of those laws that is rarely enforced unless they want to "clean the area" of hippies. If you're in a strange locale, ask a fellow panhandler what the best places to work are without risking a bust. Do it in front of supermarkets, theaters, sporting events, hip dress shops and restaurants. College cafeterias are very good hunting grounds.

When you're hustling, be assertive. Don't lean against the wall with your palm out mumbling "Spare some change?" Go up to people and stand directly in front of them so they have to look you in the eye and say no. Bum from guys with dates. Bum from motherly looking types. After a while you'll get a sense of the type of people you get results with.

Theater can be real handy. The best actors get the most bread. Devising a street theater skit can help. A good prop is a charity canister. You can get them by going to the offices of a mainstream charity and signing up as a collector. Don't feel bad about ripping them off. Charities are the biggest swindle around. 80% or more of the funds raised by beloved patriot charities go to the organization itself. New fancy cars for the Red Cross, inflated salaries for the executives of the Cancer Fund, tax write-offs for Jerry Lewis. You get the picture. A good way to work this and keep your karma in shape is to turn over half to a revolutionary groups such as your local underground. Remember, fugitives from injustice depend on you to survive. Be a responsible member of our nation. Support the only war we have going!

 

[miri]

I think the problem is that a lot of americans think Panhandler=homeless which is more than likely false.

 

I don't support panhandlers. I work hard for my money.

 

[FFactory0x]

Originally posted by: dullard
This has been going on for ages. I'll always remember one news clip I saw years ago of a guy begging for money. At the time bars were about to open, he walked behind some bushes, removed his fake dirty clothes to reveal a nice suit, washed fake dirt off his face with a clean-wipe, and entered his brand new SUV to go party with his friends. Basically, he didn't want his wife to know how much he drank so he'd beg for ~2 hours after work to get $50 for drinking.

I want the video to this

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Chraticn
You can get them by going to the offices of a mainstream charity and signing up as a collector. Don't feel bad about ripping them off. Charities are the biggest swindle around. 80% or more of the funds raised by beloved patriot charities go to the organization itself. New fancy cars for the Red Cross, inflated salaries for the executives of the Cancer Fund, tax write-offs for Jerry Lewis. You get the picture. A good way to work this and keep your karma in shape is to turn over half to a revolutionary groups such as your local underground. Remember, fugitives from injustice depend on you to survive. Be a responsible member of our nation. Support the only war we have going!

wow, what a psycho.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Chraticn
You can get them by going to the offices of a mainstream charity and signing up as a collector. Don't feel bad about ripping them off. Charities are the biggest swindle around. 80% or more of the funds raised by beloved patriot charities go to the organization itself. New fancy cars for the Red Cross, inflated salaries for the executives of the Cancer Fund, tax write-offs for Jerry Lewis. You get the picture. A good way to work this and keep your karma in shape is to turn over half to a revolutionary groups such as your local underground. Remember, fugitives from injustice depend on you to survive. Be a responsible member of our nation. Support the only war we have going!

wow, what a psycho.

Yeah, old Abbie really missed the boat on that one.

 

[Sundog]

This does not suprise me. I remember a 60 minutes or 20/20 piece over 10 years ago about panhandles and I was angry that they were making more than I did working full time. Not to mention they are paying no taxes on it. :frown:

 

[her34]

my big fat obnoxious boss: "homeless guys make some good money"


(i wish they didn't cancel that show)

 

[jdub1107]

Man, to think I feel bad for those people. Never am I going to give them money again.