Spare some change?

Nearly every Saturday some good cause is set up at the entrance to the local super market.
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.

This thread reminds me of this....

http://youtu.be/WBT4z7_qWFs?t=4m30s

I think like everyone else I am impressed by kew's approach, which is informed by an experience that it sounds like very few of us have. In Rome I had to wrestle with this question everyday. You can imagine it is even harder to walk by the homeless or beggars when you are wearing a roman collar. I eventually started giving out my change to everyone, I felt like I was paying tolls on my way to school. It was like those type of toll boths that have a basket and you throw the coins in without really looking. Eventually my spiritual director challenged me on this practice and asked, "what do you think those people really want?" I eventually stopped giving to them on the streets and saved my change (in euros it adds up) to give to a charity that works with the homeless. What I started doing then is acknowledging their humanity. I started to talk to them, ask them their name, and hear their story. Now a good number of those asking for money admittedly couldn't care less, some were furious with me. At the same time I made some good friendships with a few people. If 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.

Quote: Wizard

Personally, 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.

Quote: djatc

I'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.

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: Beethoven9th

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

This is one saying I use if I'm going from casino to casino. It helps that I dress like a bum.

Quote: FrGamble

If 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: AxelWolf

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.

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: djatc

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.

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.