Spare some change?
I've politely refused to give change, and now am gradually becoming more nasty in the way I refuse since EVERY one of these guys/girls have some story, but the ending is all the same, "can I have some money?"
Now I'm starting to understand the story of my grandfather's neighbor. Turns out he owned a lot of land in the area and when his wife passed his children descended upon him like a vulture and tried to go after the inheritance. He was so paranoid at that point he moved away next to my grandfather and never talked to anyone, because he assumed everyone was after his money/land. Same thing happened to my uncle's mom, the other children took the father's inheritance and left her dry.
So I take the wife's cats to the vet to get fixed. First question from the girl behind the glass, "What type of assistance will you be using?". What a cruel way to find out I'm paying yet another bill for my neighbor.
Is it around the 1st and the 15th that you are accosted? It could also be that the bus from the jail drops groups off on a regular schedule.Quote: RSIt's weird, I've gone months without being asked for money at all in a casino, then all of a sudden, two or three nights in a row at the same store, someone will ask for spare change for a bus ticket or something. Then months without being asked for money, then all of a sudden 3 people in one night will ask for money.
Quote: rdw4potusI got a real kick out of a guy I met in AC last month. He was begging for $$ "to get to Harrah's." Where was he doing this? At the train station. Who was he hitting up? The people in the line for the free shuttle to Harrah's...
Doesn't it take at least a platinum card to get a free ride on that shuttle?
Quote: Lemieux66Doesn't it take at least a platinum card to get a free ride on that shuttle?
You're thinking of the Total Rewards shuttle. This is the free Jitney-provided (and convention bureau-subsidized) shuttle that takes train passengers to any/all casinos.
Quote: rdw4potusYou're thinking of the Total Rewards shuttle. This is the free Jitney-provided (and convention bureau-subsidized) shuttle that takes train passengers to any/all casinos.
Oh that's pretty awesome. Wish Greyhound had that lol
1. Sorry, all I have is hundreds (doesn't work if you are at the table)
2. What do you mean by "extra" change/cheques/money?
3. Sorry, my money is tied up in Obamacare
4. HR is on the first floor.
5. My wife asks me the same thing every day.
anyone else have some good ones?
Quote: AZDuffmanMaybe we need to list some snappy replies?
1. Sorry, all I have is hundreds (doesn't work if you are at the table)
2. What do you mean by "extra" change/cheques/money?
3. Sorry, my money is tied up in Obamacare
4. HR is on the first floor.
5. My wife asks me the same thing every day.
anyone else have some good ones?
"I lost" or the more dramatic "Im broke"
Excellent.Quote: AZDuffman
3. Sorry, my money is tied up in Obamacare
Quote: AZDuffmanMaybe we need to list some snappy replies?
1. Sorry, all I have is hundreds (doesn't work if you are at the table)
2. What do you mean by "extra" change/cheques/money?
3. Sorry, my money is tied up in Obamacare
4. HR is on the first floor.
5. My wife asks me the same thing every day.
anyone else have some good ones?
Here's one that I like to use.
Sure. :-)
I always make sure I have a stash of single to hand out. It is something I enjoy doing. Having spent some time, homeless in high school, I came to learned that being in need is not a very good feeling. I am doing pretty well. In the process of purchasing a secondary property here in Vegas. I mean think about that...."secondary", when many folks sleep on the streets. So, if some change or a few singles a day can help out someone less fortunate in some small way, I am happy to do so.
Now, I am not saying everyone needs to do as I do. If you don't want to help those less fortunate don't. But really, you are going to lie to them on top of it? Have a list of pre-fabricated excuses? Just say no if you don't want to help them.
Quote: kewljHere's one that I like to use.
Sure. :-)
I always make sure I have a stash of single to hand out. It is something I enjoy doing. Having spent some time, homeless in high school, I came to learned that being in need is not a very good feeling. I am doing pretty well. In the process of purchasing a secondary property here in Vegas. I mean think about that...."secondary", when many folks sleep on the streets. So, if some change or a few singles a day can help out someone less fortunate in some small way, I am happy to do so.
Now, I am not saying everyone needs to do as I do. If you don't want to help those less fortunate don't. But really, you are going to lie to them on top of it? Have a list of pre-fabricated excuses? Just say no if you don't want to help them.
This isn't a bad idea if it weren't near casinos. I mean anywhere in the world I believe the beggars would use it on drugs or alcohol, but add on wasting it on gambling and it's a no go.
Quote: Lemieux66This isn't a bad idea if it weren't near casinos. I mean anywhere in the world I believe the beggars would use it on drugs or alcohol, but add on wasting it on gambling and it's a no go.
I can understand feeling that way, Lexieux66. All support organizations like Salvation Army and such will tell you not to give directly. But I try to look at it from the individuals perspective. Some of these people are indeed homeless living on the streets (overstuffed backpacks and suitcases are a pretty big tell). Now, I was homeless living in a shelter for 3 months during high school, but I never lived on the street. Slept god-knows-where. If your life had gotten to that point, you might want nothing better than to escape with alcohol or drugs for a couple hours. So, I don't have a problem with that. I have no illusion that I am making a difference. For me, it falls under 'providing comfort'.
People make there own choices. I just view it as people less fortunate. I don't judge the poor choices they may have made to be in this position and I don't put strings on any small amount of help that I offer. I simply give a little bit to those less fortunate....period.
Quote: kewljI can understand feeling that way, Lexieux66. All support organizations like Salvation Army and such will tell you not to give directly. But I try to look at it from the individuals perspective. Some of these people are indeed homeless living on the streets (overstuffed backpacks and suitcases are a pretty big tell). Now, I was homeless living in a shelter for 3 months during high school, but I never lived on the street. Slept god-knows-where. If your life had gotten to that point, you might want nothing better than to escape with alcohol or drugs for a couple hours. So, I don't have a problem with that. I have no illusion that I am making a difference. For me, it falls under 'providing comfort'.
People make there own choices. I just view it as people less fortunate. I don't judge the poor choices they may have made to be in this position and I don't put strings on any small amount of help that I offer. I simply give a little bit to those less fortunate....period.
Do you get a ribbon to let the rest of us know you're better than us, or are you stuck keeping us up to speed on these boards? What color is it this year?
Usually I break off a single to the guy that sets up shop outside the Golden Nugget near the 4 Queens side. He's collecting money for Paralyzed Veterans of America, and I like to think the money goes off to help people who spend the money wisely.
The people that are truly in need are very appreciative. I have occasionally been turned down when I offer a free meal. Once I accidentally offered it to a tourist.
Quote: bigfoot66If someone has gotten to the point that they have burned every bridge with friends and family such that no one will even let them sleep on a couch anymore that is a pretty big tell. Giving them money is enabling a drug addiction at that point. Maybe give them a burrito or something but not cash.
Pride is a funny thing. I'd much rather beg a stranger for help than let a friend or family member know that I was that bad off.
Quote: Sabretom2Do you get a ribbon to let the rest of us know you're better than us, or are you stuck keeping us up to speed on these boards? What color is it this year?
What's the point of this? KewlJ is just telling us what his Philosophy is on giving to those in need. I don't think this quite rises to the level of personal insult, but it's definitely unnecessary. If nothing else, KewlJ might be simply attempting to compel those more fortunate to do similarly to what he does, doesn't mean anyone has to.
And they wonder why revenues are down when homeless are sleeping at machines.
As for actually helping them, that is a personal decision. But put me in the category of giving at the office, not in a casino where they really don't belong and the odds are the money is NOT going for food.
Quote: bwI have never been approached for money at the Borgata. However outside of many 7-11s in NJ I am often asked for change for one thing or another.
I was approached inside The Wynn just this last October. He got one sentence into his pitch and I said, "It's not going to work, go hit someone else." He stopped mid sentence and walked away.
I was pretty surprised to get hit on in The Wynn. The only other place I can remember getting straight panhandled is Caesar's AC. I had a chip hustler try to work me at Atlantis.
Boz, do you mean the lower floor of Caesar's AC? They're like flies down there around 11PM. Yep, homeless sleeping at machines, sometimes across three.
Quote: kewljHere's one that I like to use.
Sure. :-)
I always make sure I have a stash of single to hand out. It is something I enjoy doing. Having spent some time, homeless in high school, I came to learned that being in need is not a very good feeling. I am doing pretty well. In the process of purchasing a secondary property here in Vegas. I mean think about that...."secondary", when many folks sleep on the streets. So, if some change or a few singles a day can help out someone less fortunate in some small way, I am happy to do so.
Now, I am not saying everyone needs to do as I do. If you don't want to help those less fortunate don't. But really, you are going to lie to them on top of it? Have a list of pre-fabricated excuses? Just say no if you don't want to help them.
I understand where you are coming from, and good for you for giving back. But understand where most of us are coming from. Panhandling in the USA has gotten totally out of hand. San Francisco is totally out of hand. But many other cities are not far behind. When it gets to the point that you can hardly go a day without someone asking you for cash, there is a problem.
Phoenix was terrible this way. One Burger King had a guy standing outside it daily. Now, he wasn't asking the manager if he could sweep the lot for a sandwich, he was asking for money for nothing. And to me that is unacceptable. Anyone can be stuck short-term, but these people make it a way of life.
Quote: BozIt is really bad in AC at the Boardwalk casinos (Revel excluded because even the drug addicted homeless don't know it is there). Weeknights this time of year on the 2nd floor at Caesars there are more beggars/ opportunity thieves than there are players. You have to keep one eye on the slot and the other on the people watching you. And Caesars really does nothing to discourage it.
And they wonder why revenues are down when homeless are sleeping at machines.
As for actually helping them, that is a personal decision. But put me in the category of giving at the office, not in a casino where they really don't belong and the odds are the money is NOT going for food.
Boz, do you remember Teeny? She was the paralyzed woman on the stretcher who played the organ with her tongue. I've heard that she made up to 100k a year working the Boardwalk and that was years ago. She was eventually struck and killed by a car. I think it was on Pacific Ave. With the money she made she was able to eventually have a motorized stretcher.
Quote: kewljNow, I am not saying everyone needs to do as I do. If you don't want to help those less fortunate don't. But really, you are going to lie to them on top of it? Have a list of pre-fabricated excuses? Just say no if you don't want to help them.
On Friday night, I had gotten a subway sandwich and was walking along Harmon when I saw some people basically camping/living in the drainage culvert across from the Hard Rock. So I gave the guy my food and he seemed very appreciative. It was no big deal for me to walk back and get another sandwich for myself, and that's what I did
I generally do not give away money (but there was a poor kid sitting inside Subway and I gave him a buck). I give to the United Way through work and that seems like a more effective approach to me.
Quote: bwI have never been approached for money at the Borgata. However outside of many 7-11s in NJ I am often asked for change for one thing or another.
I feel comfortable counting thousands of dollars in the open at Borgata. I feel worried flashing a hundo at say the Trop.
Quote: AZDuffmanMaybe we need to list some snappy replies?
1. Sorry, all I have is hundreds (doesn't work if you are at the table)
2. What do you mean by "extra" change/cheques/money?
3. Sorry, my money is tied up in Obamacare
4. HR is on the first floor.
5. My wife asks me the same thing every day.
anyone else have some good ones?
I'm working this side of the street, A------. Get your butt on the other side.
I vowed never to help another beggar again in my life and I have pretty much stuck to my guns.......until I met my wife. She is a very giving person and has a very similar outlook to Kewlj. I am now trying my best to be a little more open about giving to the less forunate. It is sad though that the earlier interaction I had with that lady made me so bitter towards them.
I'm trying, I really am! Thanks Kewlj, you have inspired me to do more!
Quote: TomspurWhen I was younger we had a lady beggar at a main light right near a shopping center. I was about 17 at the time. We were driving in to buy some groceries, I told my mom we should get an extra bag of canned goods for her. When we came out to the light I rolled down the window and gave her the bag. She never said thank you. I looked back after we pulled off and she threw the bag into the trash........A few months later a local 60 minutes type program had done a special on this exact same woman, saying she made about $30,000 a year begging (remember this is South Africa in the early 90's)
I vowed never to help another beggar again in my life and I have pretty much stuck to my guns.......until I met my wife. She is a very giving person and has a very similar outlook to Kewlj. I am now trying my best to be a little more open about giving to the less forunate. It is sad though that the earlier interaction I had with that lady made me so bitter towards them.
I'm trying, I really am! Thanks Kewlj, you have inspired me to do more!
I have to respectfully disagree with you and kewlj's philosophy. You give a beggar money, and then what? He's going to want more money, and he'll know you are a sucker and will always give him something.
Don't give these bums money, then they'll move away to somewhere that will.
Quote: djatcUsually I break off a single to the guy that sets up shop outside the Golden Nugget near the 4 Queens side. He's collecting money for Paralyzed Veterans of America, and I like to think the money goes off to help people who spend the money wisely.
That might be Dave Morris, AKA, Sam. He hustled everything downtown from credits to coupons to advantage slots to hustling the tourists for donations while dressed like a priest or male nurse, and holding a tray in his hands for you to throw the coins in.
Quote: djatcI have to respectfully disagree with you and kewlj's philosophy. You give a beggar money, and then what? He's going to want more money, and he'll know you are a sucker and will always give him something.
Don't give these bums money, then they'll move away to somewhere that will.
I guess one of the maion reasons I would consider giving a beggar money is so that I can feel like I have at least tried to help and perhaps suss my own concience a little?
I know the money I give will not do him any good because he will use it for drugs and alcohol but I wouldn't be giving the money if I didn't have it to give so the end use of the money won't be of as much concern. My old saying goes...."only worry about things you can change".
I still haven't decided to give or not to give, I'm just working on a little self improvement.
I already volunteer at Three Square food bank and I give to the local animal shelters. That I feel does some good. It is the "beggars" that I'm still wrestling with!
When I lived in Vegas, and I knew a panhandler was waiting outside the grocery store catching people at one door, I left through the other. At other times, you simply let someone else lead out the door and follow closely behind so they ask the person in front and you slip buy.
"Can I talk you for a second?"
'No." and keep moving.
Simple as that for people who want to spin a yarn.
Now on the other hand I saw people sleeping outside. There were people who didn't give me the same story, and I gave out some money.
Just giving anyone money who asks for it does not make me feel any better, but great for you if it does.
Quote: Tomspur
I vowed never to help another beggar again in my life and I have pretty much stuck to my guns.......until I met my wife. She is a very giving person and has a very similar outlook to Kewlj. I am now trying my best to be a little more open about giving to the less forunate. It is sad though that the earlier interaction I had with that lady made me so bitter towards them.
I find there are a lot of good people out there who can easily be taken in by some of these people. I always say that working or living in a metro area takes a gradual hardening of the soul. So many people have their hand out. So many people have a story. Now, some are true. But most are well rehearsed scams and cons. You try to do some good once in awhile, but you have to think with your head and not your heart.
For example, you're at a highway gas station and somebody comes up and says, "Hey bro', can you help me out. My car ran out of gas and I just need enough gas money to get back home."
For another, also at a gas station, in an area that gets lots of tourists, somebody comes up and says "Hey, where you headed?" You say something and they give you directions there, even though you already knew how to get there. You politely say thanks for the directions and then you get some sob story and plea for change.
My question is what do you do in these cornered situations?
Quote: AZDuffmanI find there are a lot of good people out there who can easily be taken in by some of these people. I always say that working or living in a metro area takes a gradual hardening of the soul. So many people have their hand out. So many people have a story. Now, some are true. But most are well rehearsed scams and cons. You try to do some good once in awhile, but you have to think with your head and not your heart.
I guess, at the end of the day it comes down to this. You either give money because you have it to give or you don't. I would much rather volunteer my time or donate through a large food drive which we do every year anyway but sometimes, even if it is for instant self gratification, giving to another person can make you, the givee, feel good about yourself and your station in life.
It is after all just a personal decision.
Quote: TomspurWhen I was younger we had a lady beggar at a main light right near a shopping center. I was about 17 at the time. We were driving in to buy some groceries, I told my mom we should get an extra bag of canned goods for her. When we came out to the light I rolled down the window and gave her the bag. She never said thank you. I looked back after we pulled off and she threw the bag into the trash........A few months later a local 60 minutes type program had done a special on this exact same woman, saying she made about $30,000 a year begging (remember this is South Africa in the early 90's)
I vowed never to help another beggar again in my life and I have pretty much stuck to my guns.......until I met my wife. She is a very giving person and has a very similar outlook to Kewlj. I am now trying my best to be a little more open about giving to the less forunate. It is sad though that the earlier interaction I had with that lady made me so bitter towards them.
I'm trying, I really am! Thanks Kewlj, you have inspired me to do more!
She's losing such EV throwing the can goods away. I mean she has to eat at some point. That cuts into her begging money.
Quote: WizardPersonally, I don't give beggars money and avoid making eye contact as much as possible. However, sometimes they corner you or give you unsolicited advice and you're forced to deal with them.
For example, you're at a highway gas station and somebody comes up and says, "Hey bro', can you help me out. My car ran out of gas and I just need enough gas money to get back home."
For another, also at a gas station, in an area that gets lots of tourists, somebody comes up and says "Hey, where you headed?" You say something and they give you directions there, even though you already knew how to get there. You politely say thanks for the directions and then you get some sob story and plea for change.
My question is what do you do in these cornered situations?
I've just had to harden up and tell these guys no, even if I am in a situation where I can't leave. Usually they'll keep eye contact but eventually give up since you're not budging.
Quote: Lemieux66She's losing such EV throwing the can goods away. I mean she has to eat at some point. That cuts into her begging money.
Nobody said she was smart :)
Quote: TomspurNobody said she was smart :)
And it's non-perishable! Oh man
Quote: WizardPersonally, I don't give beggars money and avoid making eye contact as much as possible. However, sometimes they corner you or give you unsolicited advice and you're forced to deal with them.
For example, you're at a highway gas station and somebody comes up and says, "Hey bro', can you help me out. My car ran out of gas and I just need enough gas money to get back home."
For another, also at a gas station, in an area that gets lots of tourists, somebody comes up and says "Hey, where you headed?" You say something and they give you directions there, even though you already knew how to get there. You politely say thanks for the directions and then you get some sob story and plea for change.
My question is what do you do in these cornered situations?
It depends. Usually I ignore them even while they are talking to me, but once in a while I'll tell them if they want to make a few bucks there is a darkly lit street corner right over there where businessman like to pay for a happy ending.
Quote: geoffonce in a while I'll tell them if they want to make a few bucks there is a darkly lit street corner right over there where businessman like to pay for a happy ending.
I'm afraid that he will say "yes."
Quote: WizardI'm afraid that he will say "yes."
They want your wand.
