Spare some change?
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?
Yikes! I am sorry if that is what you took from my post. Obviously, being an anonymous message board, you don't know me, but I can assure you that I don't think I am better than anyone at anytime in regards to anything. I am a pretty humble fellow.
Quote: Lemieux66They want your wand.
LOL
Quote: kewljYikes! I am sorry if that is what you took from my post. Obviously, being an anonymous message board, you don't know me, but I can assure you that I don't think I am better than anyone at anytime in regards to anything. I am a pretty humble fellow.
I did not interpret your post in that way at all (I do know lots of people who are like that though)
Quote: TomspurI think "wad" would be more appropriate :)
The "magic" that comes out of Wizards wand lol
Quote: 1BBBoz, 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.
Yea, I also remember when she was busted for weed possession. Even though I am against legal weed, if anyone deserved it she did. I am sure she was in a lot of pain in her condition.
Quote: Lemieux66The "magic" that comes out of Wizards wand lol
Whether it be cash or the other stuff :)
Quote: TomspurI think "wad" would be more appropriate :)
Let's keep it PG, ladies and gentlemen.
Quote: WizardLet's keep it PG, ladies and gentlemen.
My fault. I should have said "money".
Quote: djatcI'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: 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?
Next time, just look the panhandler in the eye and give him a very somber look. Then sadly say, "I'd love to give you some money, man, but I just lost $1,000 at [insert casino here]."
I did that one time (after I really did lose a bunch of money), and the guy expressed sympathy for me and then walked away. lol
Quote: Wizard
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."
Bummer, man. Call AAA. :-)
Around the holidays, Salvation Army. Check, good group. Drop 'em a double sawbuck every time.
Every few weeks, DAV or other local Vets' group. Check, they do good in return. $20 "compliments of the 7th Cavalry"
Local girls' softball, little league, etc. No way, this is a very affluent community, let the soccer moms pay for this stuff.
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 hadn't even gotten out of my car yet when I pulled into the Terrible's at Flamingo and Arville, when some guy talked at me through my car window wanting gas money. He motioned to a car at another pump, so I led him inside and told the clerk to put $2 into his tank, and $18 into mine. Guy was okay with that, and I watched him pump it, but he was still there by the time I left.
I got so tired of all the begging when I lived in LV. Everywhere I went, not just in casinos, but at nearly every store, gas station, etc. It's a standard greeting; instead of "How ya doin'?" it's "Excuse me...do you have a dollar?". I got used to saying "That's funny... I was about to ask YOU that!" or "What are you gonna use it for?"
If you're asked for money a few times on your visit to town, feel free to give if you want. But living in LV and being accosted every single place you go day-in day-out gets old. I can't (won't) give to everyone, and it just starts to lower my view of humanity.
I now just say, "Ohh man, I was just about to ask you the same thing" then I hold out my hand, they quickly walk away.Quote: djatcI'm getting sick and tired of being asked for money in and out of a casino. I don't know what it is but recently I've been asked to spare a dollar while I am playing more often then when I'm not. It can't be a different environment since I go to the same area every time. My compassion for helping out my fellow man is wearing very thin because all these people asking for money on the street or the overpass usually end up gambling it away so what's the point in giving them anything?
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.
Quote: Beethoven9thNext time, just look the panhandler in the eye and give him a very somber look. Then sadly say, "I'd love to give you some money, man, but I just lost $1,000 at [insert casino here]."
I did that one time (after I really did lose a bunch of money), and the guy expressed sympathy for me and then walked away. lol
This is one saying I use if I'm going from casino to casino. It helps that I dress like a bum.
Quote: FrGambleIf someone doesn't want to give money to a beggar on the street I totally understand but what we should always do is treat others like we would want to be treated.
I understand what you're saying but I would never beg for money if I was in their situation. Most of these beggars have functional bodies, and can do some sort of menial work to support themselves if they really applied themselves instead of begging on the corner. Why must I give money out to some bum who is standing next to a "NOW HIRING" sign?
I have more respect for the guys and girls that dress up in costumes on Fremont since they are "working" somewhat, even though I don't give them tips.
On the flip side, I am very generous with tipping casino workers, sometimes more then I should because I appreciate great service. I just don't give money away to someone who has a high probability of using it for drugs. This is how I expected to be treated if I were in their shoes. If I provide service that is beyond what I expect, and I know exactly what type of care a customer needs, I would greatly appreciate a monetary gift that represents that.
I wouldn't expect anyone to give me money just because I asked for it. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. I expect no hand outs.
Quote: AxelWolfI now just say, "Ohh man, I was just about to ask you the same thing" then I hold out my hand, they quickly walk away.
lol I've seen you do this. You should carry those "Christian" $100 bills with Jesus in the middle, that'll piss off any bums.
Quote: djatclol I've seen you do this. You should carry those "Christian" $100 bills with Jesus in the middle, that'll piss off any bums.
Do these exist? I searched for "Jesus money" and came up empty.
I need some of these...
Quote: Wizard
For another, also at a gas station, in an area that gets lots of tourists, somebody comes up and says "Hey, where you headed?"
"Why do you want to know?" Or, "None of your business."
I am a seriously nice person. I take the social contract to heart. I don't give to panhandlers.
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceDo these exist? I searched for "Jesus money" and came up empty.
I need some of these...
I dunno what they are called, but it looks like an actual dollar, with the word of God or scripture on the back. Some guy gave me this a while back when I was walking in downtown a few years ago in Hawaii and I was happy because I thought somebody was being nice, but turns out it was a Christ dollar which pissed me off.
Quote: mcallister3200In my opinion if you think enabling these people is helping them you are part of the problem.
+1 I agree with you 100%. These bums are not going to get the message if you keep feeding them.
Yesterday just got asked for change when I was getting a haircut.
Luckily I haven't been asked today, but I haven't gone anywhere that's close to a casino.
Quote: FrGambleBut for the grace of God go I.
+1
Quote: AxiomOfChoiceDo these exist? I searched for "Jesus money" and came up empty.
I need some of these...
Silly goose...
I do have a happy ending story for one of these beggars (I think its legal, :) ) as some have taken on the entrepreneurship of buying the 50,000 Korean won (~$46US) gift cards that the casino gives out for players card mileage points, for 40,000won(~$37US), asking every casino patron as they leave the players points cashier window if they wish to sell their gift card(s). (Gift cards are legally bought/sold at gift card/money exchange shops outside the casino) One former beggar told me he now makes over $200 a day doing this, except now he doesn't have to ask people if they want to sell their cards, the repeat customers just come looking for him. I don't think the casino minds this either, since the players selling their cards usually take the money straight back to the tables.
I'd only give someone a manwon (~$9) if they needed it for transportation, never for gambling, as I'd rather give my money away to the old homeless people living in the Seoul Station subway.
About the cockiest I'll get is if I'm gambling and get asked for a cig I'll point in any direction and say 'No but I think there's a smoke shop down there."
Quote: mickeycrimmJim Baker, Jimmy Swaggert, a street panhandler. What's the difference? Maybe the clothes they wear.
Yes but there's a special place in hell for people who use religion to profit. Panhandlers usually just beg for money to buy drugs or alcohol.
Quote: mickeycrimmJim Baker, Jimmy Swaggert, a street panhandler. What's the difference? Maybe the clothes they wear.
I don't give those knockleheads money either.
Before you attack--I am all for helping those truly in need. We can go into that in another thread or on that other board that no one visits.
Seriously, though, I'll take a chance that 1 out of 10 or 1 out of 100 is really hungry or in need and we'll go from there. That $1 is not going to break me whether I am at home or in Vegas. I'm not as inclined to give money in a casino as outside on the streets, but it is my buck.
Quote: FrGambleIf someone doesn't want to give money to a beggar on the street I totally understand but what we should always do is treat others like we would want to be treated.
This seems hard to argue with, but it's not.
Simply put: should beggars not observe the same principle also?
That said, Mexico city is rife with beggars from children onwards, and other people offering "services" (like smearing soapy water on your windshield) for money out in the streets, or people selling stuff there (candy and cigarettes are popular).
With sellers and squeegee guys, the polite refusal is "No, thank you." Though with the windshield cleaners one has to be emphatic. With beggars one politely feigns regert and says "Sorry, I have no spare change at the moment." They know you're lying, of course.
Quote: NareedThough with the windshield cleaners one has to be emphatic.
There are lots of them in Tijuana too. They especially go for cars with US plates and a dirty windshield. I've seen people turn on the wipers to keep them away.
Quote: 1BBPeople have been killed over that windshield cleaning scam. In NYC they will bend your wipers if you don't pay and some drivers don't take kindly to that.
I remember they were one of the first things Rudy cleaned up when he took over. Sadly they are one of the things our courts have made it hard to use common sense to get rid of. In the old day the cops would have told the first one to move on. If they didn't move on they would be taken in on a charge of vagrancy or mopery. While inside they would "fall" and the cops would "help them get up." The charge would later be dropped but the message would get out that they need to learn a new trade to ply.
Today the ACLU will sue to force the city to allow them to harass every driver they want. And it will take forever to stop. Meanwhile the general decline makes the city unlivable and all residents get hurt.
Quote: AZDuffmanmopery
Excellent! I had not heard that one before
Quote: chickenmanExcellent! I had not heard that one before
So would mopery be similar to loitering but just more sad? :)
Health insurance exists for pets and there is care credit, which basically is just a credit card only for vet bills. Hilarious you think there is Obamacare for pets.Quote: Sabretom2Most of these folks are already on some sort of assistance. Chances are, you gave at the office.
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.
Quote: rxwineWomen in Mercedes panhandles.
Its a lucrative occupation. And the tools are cheap. All you have to buy is a magic marker. You can fish a piece of cardboard out of any dumpster. And do you know how many street corners there are in America? When exposed this family just picked up and moved to another town where they are not known.
Quote: mickeycrimmQuote: rxwineWomen in Mercedes panhandles.
Its a lucrative occupation. And the tools are cheap. All you have to buy is a magic marker. You can fish a piece of cardboard out of any dumpster. And do you know how many street corners there are in America? When exposed this family just picked up and moved to another town where they are not known.
I once heard of this being called "owning a cardboard sign franchise". Especially in the cases of a person who goes to the same lucrative corner or place every day.
Quote: WizardHas any journalist ever done an experiment to see how much money he would make pretending to be a panhandler?
Hey, are you busy this weekend ?
Quote: WizardHas any journalist ever done an experiment to see how much money he would make pretending to be a panhandler?.
John Stossel did it on FOX.
