You come across a person sitting begging for money in the street

[cheeky^Wolf 0]

In the UK, I always bought a Big Issue from the local homeless guy.

Do they have a similar scheme in the US?

http://www.bigissue.com/

[de_sjiem 0]

I dont know about the US but I know in Toronto they had "Street News" which was a small newspaper sold by homeless people to make some money.. I think its a great idea.. it gives them a chance to do something to help pull themselves off the streets..

[mawilson 2,133]

http://www.bigissue.com/

- Big Issue?

- Bless you.

- Big Issue?

- Bless you.

- Big Issue?

- Ble... <SMACK>

[Yodrak 7]

Pauline,

A successful professional beggar will save their fashion gear for after work.

Yodrak

Pauline,

It would depend on what street in what city.

Some people really need it, others make themselves a lot of money with little effort this way.

Yodrak

I think everyone would give money if they could, that's obvious. But it's a bit of fun anyway.

Very true Yodrak, I never really thought of beggers conning people out of money before, I just tend to give them the benifit of the doubt. But, if I saw a person begging with the latest fashion gear on I would definetly think twice, and not give them any money.

[Mags 112]

http://www.bigissue.com/

- Big Issue?

- Bless you.

- Big Issue?

- Bless you.

- Big Issue?

- Ble... <SMACK>

Tell you what, most Big Issue sellers are a bit noisy, but the one outside Sainsbury's in Tooting was lovely. He'd just stand there, unobtrusively, day in day out, come rain or shine and he always had a really nice smile ready for you when your bought a mag from him.

Oh, I think I just got a little homesick then...

[PaulineA 1]

Pauline,

A successful professional beggar will save their fashion gear for after work.

Yodrak

Pauline,

It would depend on what street in what city.

Some people really need it, others make themselves a lot of money with little effort this way.

Yodrak

I think everyone would give money if they could, that's obvious. But it's a bit of fun anyway.

Very true Yodrak, I never really thought of beggers conning people out of money before, I just tend to give them the benifit of the doubt. But, if I saw a person begging with the latest fashion gear on I would definetly think twice, and not give them any money.

Hmmm, I never thought of that. I wonder how you would know if a begger was for real? I mean, know for sure.

[PaulineA 1]

In the UK, I always bought a Big Issue from the local homeless guy.

Do they have a similar scheme in the US?

http://www.bigissue.com/

Oh, that brings back memories, the big issue, lol. I think it cost 1 british pound to buy it, but that was years ago, maybe they have upped the price now. Some of them had loud voices didn't they? Get an ear full when walking by them in the street. I was always wondering if some of them were homeless.

[sereia 0]

my mom and i once came upon a homeless man holding up a sign "will work for food" or something similar. and we had just gone to a bakery and bought a pie....

so she handed him the pie. and he said, "i don't eat sweets!!!!!!!!"

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm skeptical of the ones holding a sign on the corner of an intersection because many times I'll see the same guy standing there several weeks later.

It just depends on the person and whether I have some change on me or a couple of dollars. I believe that most beggars have made a profession out of it, but there are some people that are down on their luck.

Edited March 10, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Cali Gal CPA 0]

If I have food, then food. If I have a few change, then money. If none, I just walk pass by.

[Fandango 1,439]

I'm skeptical of the ones holding a sign on the corner of an intersection because many times I'll see the same guy standing there several weeks later.

It just depends on the person and whether I have some change on me or a couple of dollars. I believe that most beggars have made a profession out of it, but there are some people that are down on their luck.

So most beggars aren't down on their luck? Can you tell us how you arrived at that conclusion?

_______________

It'd really be interesting to know which % of the 'pretend I don't see em' are liberals

Edited March 10, 2007 by LisaD

[Robor007 0]

On the way home from work this week I saw a guy in the usual begger attire holding the usual 'homeless god bless' cardboard sign. However, this guy had enough money to smoke and talk on a cell phone while begging. #######?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

So most beggars aren't down on their luck? Can you tell us how you arrived at that conclusion?

What does it matter? How one spends their money is their choice, they shouldn't have to explain their rationale to anyone. Liberals are the ones who demand explanations and feign outrage at private choices like this.

I don't give beggars money because it's my money, not theirs.

[Fandango 1,439]

So most beggars aren't down on their luck? Can you tell us how you arrived at that conclusion?

What does it matter? How one spends their money is their choice, they shouldn't have to explain their rationale to anyone. Liberals are the ones who demand explanations and feign outrage at private choices like this.

I don't give beggars money because it's my money, not theirs.

I'm just wondering how someone comes to the conclusion of 'most beggars are....'. So Steven is either talking with figures and research, or he's talking out of his azz.

Obviously you know which one I think it is.

As for justifying what's done with the money...I've already said in here I don't care what they spend it on.

Edited March 10, 2007 by LisaD

[Jenn! 918]

I wonder where you all are seeing these beggars with the lastest fashions and not looking too rough. Everyone I see panhandling looks pretty needy to me.

And I agree with Lisa, I don't care what they spend the money on. Seriously, if I were out on the streets I'd probably be buying a bottle of brandy to keep warm too.