Is $6 enough to give to a homeless man?

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Farmer

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2003
3,334
2
81
So nice to see so many nice people.

Of course, we always want to assume the best about people, but the best is not always true.

IMHO, why does he deserve any of the money your worked your ass off for? Why doesn't he get himself a job?

Some people think giving money to the homeless is being nice, others think it's being foolish.
 

gistech1978

Diamond Member
Aug 30, 2002
5,047
0
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thats pretty generous.

i will usually say, i dont have any money, do you want a cigarette?

they'll always take a smoke.
 

zixxer

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2001
7,326
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the ONLY time I give people money like that is if they approach me while im planning on leaving my car


$5<$140 replacement window,
 

Grouchyoldguy

Senior member
Jun 4, 2003
327
0
0
Six bucks is enough. I usually don't give to beggars but every now and then if they tell a decent story and really put an effort in to trying to be credible I'll give as much as 5 bucks, no more. The ones hanging
around the convenience stores saying "Can you spare some change?? get nothing.
 

Savarak

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2001
2,718
1
81
sometimes I think that considering the average American is something like $30,000 in debt(i forgot where I heard/read this), street bums are actually better off... (as long as the debtor holds their job)
 

Aimster

Lifer
Jan 5, 2003
16,129
2
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I once put change in a man's cup and I thought he was a homeless guy asking for money. He was not homeless and that was a cup filled with a soft drink ... I ran but the lady who did it with me did not...
 

kogase

Diamond Member
Sep 8, 2004
5,213
0
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Originally posted by: Kibbo
Look, if someone is on the street, obviously they are not right in the head. If they are alcoholic, even moreso.

You can call it mental illness, you can call it genetic predisposition, you can call it weak character. Doesn't matter.

Thing is, they are hungry, cold and jonseing. And if you can't feel for that, then I pity you.

If you'd rather give them food, that's fine. If you'd rather give to a shelter, that's fine.

As for "get a job," they are there because they've been fired from 20 jobs. It might be because they hear voices, it might be because they are stupid, it might be because they just never learned self-dicipline. Again, doesn't matter. Does why really matter? Would you really want every person that never learned self-dicipline to starve?

Yes. What's the problem?
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,374
741
126
interesting. you seemed to have given him too much. i calculate that 3 bottles of Mad Dog 20/20 evens out to like $4. go get your change back dude.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
Are you fvcking kidding me? On her first trip in the city I had to yell at my gf for giving a homeless guy $2.

You don't quite grasp what they buy with that money. Cigs, alcohol, and drugs. Thats it and thats all. It sure ain't goin to food and shelter, and food they get from other sources.
 

KoolAidKid

Golden Member
Apr 29, 2002
1,932
0
76
Originally posted by: StormRider
A man approached me and asked for money while I was pumping gas. I gave him $6 but now am wondering if I should have given him a little bit more. I was thinking that $6 would be enough for a nice meal at McDonalds or something....

Actually, that's $6 more than you should have given him.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
Those of you saying "oh thats so generous, dont listen to these assholes"....do you live in a city?
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,898
146
I never give money to individuals. I'll give them directions to the shelters and outreaches I (and my busniess) donate to, but I will NEVER give money to bums.

Doing so encourages panhandling and more often than not feeds addiction rather than helps a person.

Want to help the homeless? Give money to shelters, food banks, and outreaches. That way you know your money will actually HELP rather than simply feed the problem.
 

Encryptic

Diamond Member
May 21, 2003
8,885
0
0
I'm sure he's eternally grateful to you for funding his next bottle of booze. Donate the money to a shelter next time.
 

i once made two bums run wind sprints for a fiver
it was hillarious

the guy with the mismatched shoes and a bedsheet tied around his head won by almost 2 seconds
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,666
6,547
126
Originally posted by: armatron
the ONLY time I give people money like that is if they approach me while im planning on leaving my car


$5<$140 replacement window,


yep, same. they catch me sometimes when i park in washington DC when i'm going out. i would rather give them some money than come back to my car w/a busted window in it.
 

yoda291

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
5,079
0
0
I almost never give money to panhandlers. There are scads of non-profit organizations who I also don't donate to. I have been known to buy food from time to time and give it to them, but really, I don't see the point.

I do teach senior citizens and donate computers to education -- I see a point in that.

I'm a horrible human being.
 

KoolAidKid

Golden Member
Apr 29, 2002
1,932
0
76
Originally posted by: troytime
i once made two bums run wind sprints for a fiver
it was hillarious

the guy with the mismatched shoes and a bedsheet tied around his head won by almost 2 seconds

This is cruel, humiliating, and pretty funny.
 
Oct 9, 1999
19,632
38
91
Originally posted by: troytime
i once made two bums run wind sprints for a fiver
it was hillarious

the guy with the mismatched shoes and a bedsheet tied around his head won by almost 2 seconds

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CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
Originally posted by: iliopsoas
you're very kind and generous. don't let these cynics dissuade you.

we're not cynics, we're realists.
 

Originally posted by: DP
Originally posted by: troytime
i once made two bums run wind sprints for a fiver
it was hillarious

the guy with the mismatched shoes and a bedsheet tied around his head won by almost 2 seconds

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v

I am totaly honored...seriously
:)

 

SupaDupaPan

Golden Member
Jun 1, 2004
1,071
0
76
A very kind gesture, but I probably would have gone and gotten a meal at mcdonalds for him and then give it to him, rather than not know that your money went to help him ... or if it went to help his habit.