Organized panhandlers....am I the only one who NEVER gives?

Here in SoCal, due to mild weather and pretty socked in population, we have more than our fair share of people begging...like on every busy corner and they sit right where they can watch you at every fast food place and see clearly when you're given change, which they want....then they give you grief as it's never enough or God forbid, you give them food. Most of my local ones are overweight, and they operate in almost gang-like groups, and have shift-changes where they hand off their signs to the next shift. I make sure to get eye-contact with the ones watching me receive change at McDonalds in particular....and make sure they see my change go in the collection container screwed to the wall under the window, for the Rondal McDonald House or whatever it is. They always yell when I drive past, but that attitude that I personally OWE them something just infuriates me....

Anonymous2015-05-24T05:56:36Z

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I rarely give and when I do, it's because I want to.
I live in Chicago and there are literally thousands of panhandlers downtown at any given moment. You often have a dozen on one block in the tourists areas and train stations during rush hour.
So it would not be possible to help them all so I don't help any. Most panhandlers are too lazy to work so they just want handouts. There are places to get help, but they'd rather just beg. I just smile and walk past but if they get snippy with me, I'll give them a piece of my mind. I don't know people think I have extra money
.

?2015-05-24T15:49:08Z

Sorry....I thought stating the particular group I avoid are beggars, NOT homeless would clarify. They live in groups and several stay on a boat in the local harbour. I DO give when I detect at the very least a humble, non-aggressive attitude. If they have a clever sign, I give for that as well. My favourite was "Bet you can't hit me with a quarter".....this guy did well for himself...

?2015-05-24T15:26:14Z

I rarely give to panhandlers. I DO give and donate to REAL CHARITIES that will in turn help these people.

Anonymous2015-05-24T15:16:12Z

Leave our state and come back when you get an education and a heart. You don't have to give anything to them if you don't want to. these people spend hours a day just trying to get a couple bucks for food.

Kim R2015-05-24T22:34:24Z

Don't give to people like that, and don't feel bad about it.

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