Today, I was walking down the street and noticed a man in ripped clothes with a cup out asking for money. I was on my way to the movies but I felt like this man needed it more that me. Right as I gave it to him, he pulled out his blackberry. FML
I agree, your life sucks (46361) - you totally deserved it (11688)
On 03/14/2009 at 4:55pm - money - by california (man) - United States (South Carolina)
That's why you always offer them food, not money. At #1, I doubt he stole the blackberry (not much you can do if your phone doesn't have a plan).
And thats why giving money to panhandlers is the dumbest, laziest possible way to "help" homeless people. With the close second of voting liberal.
I know that there's going to be a shitstorm really soon.
#2, speaking as someone who has known a lot of street kid and hung out with them while they spanged, no, they don't make a lot of money. (There are a few places, like Vegas, where every other person hands you a twenty, but I'll just assume that the OP doesn't live there)
I'd also like to say that just ignoring a homeless person asking you for spange is a really terrible thing to do. Do you honestly think that they're going to want to go get a job after seeing that most people treat them like they're not even human? After having people pretend you don't exist most of the time, you're eventually just going to assume that any potential employer is going to treat you like that, too. If you don't want to give people money, say no, I've never met anyone who will get mad if you don't give them anything.
Buuut, now that I'm done lecturing people, I'd have to agree that that guy is a fucking asshole. He probably has a job or deals or finds money some other way and doesn't need to be panhandling.
"I've never met anyone who will get mad if you don't give them anything."
i have. some have even gotten mad at me for not giving them enough. i gave a guy a buck's worth of gas when i was filling up cause he said he needed gas to get somewhere and he was collecting from everyone. i said i had no money and he said i could just give him some from the pump. well i would have given him like a dollar if i had cash so i pumped him a dollar's worth and he was insulted cause it was so little gas.
but yea, i almost always give food only.
#7 - On 03/14/2009 at 8:54pm by vietiscool
I completely disagree that it makes you a horrible person if you ignore them and don't give them something every time. I think food tends to be the best thing to give. It's also NOT fair to treat them as if they aren't human.
#8 - On 03/14/2009 at 8:57pm by nikkia1419
This is why I don't give money to random homeless people on the street. Too many people faking it out there. I'd rather donate to an actually charity meant to help homeless people, there is a better chance that it will actually go to a person who needs it, rather than someone looking to make a quick buck, or someone trying to get money for something they're better without (mainly drugs or alcohol).
#9 - On 03/14/2009 at 8:59pm by Silhouette
that's when you kick him and take your money back. =P
but on a more serious note, i know people who have jobs and make good money and still panhandle on weekends because it's easy to make a few bucks that way. it's shitty because they are not only taking from those who are truly in need but also making them look bad, like this dude with the blackberry.
that's why it's better to stick to giving out food or smokes instead of money.
and can you get a blackberry on one of those pay as you go plans w/o a credit check????
you've gotta learn how to distinguish between the fakers and the real homeless people. i've seen so many that it's finally relatively easy.
as for #4, you conservative jackass, stfu.
This reminds me of the time I gave a begger some money, and saw her leave a store with a pack of cigarettes a few minutes later.
If you think about it, a beggar only needs to have 7 people give them a dollar every hour to make as much as someone in a minimum wage job--more, once you factor in taxes. Then you have the occasional people who give a 10 or a 20. Of course, this all depends on a wise choice of location.
#12 - On 03/14/2009 at 9:17pm by cthulhu1138
really you should never give money to a homeless person. food is the best bet.
or if you really care, volunteer.
the biggest major city by me is Detroit which has a lot of homeless people.
i've learned unless you want them to go buy drugs with the money you give them,
then just give them food.
and if they dont appreciate the food tell them you'll take it to someone else.
i usually just give, like, two or three quarters or a bit of food to the homeless. i'd prefer to donate and volunteer with proper charities than give money to someone i'm not even sure if actually homeless. :)
#15 - On 03/14/2009 at 9:22pm by paniclovie
Yeah. Hobos make tons of money. Haven't you ever heard of the "millionaire hobo"? He lives in Naperville, IL. He lives out of a tent, but he has a Mac and an iphone and regularly gets Starbucks. haha
#16 - On 03/14/2009 at 9:35pm by fillmyheart028
Anyone saying that you should always give homeless people money, you obviously don't live in the city. In Atlanta or LA, you can't go a block without someone begging you.
#17 - On 03/14/2009 at 9:39pm by pinkfrenchrose
#17 is right, down here in Tampa there are homeless all over the nightlife areas, and back when I lived near Philadelphia, and even when I hung out in Jersey (omg Jersey ur trash), people would always bug me for money. Sad thing is it's almost never for food, and almost always for drugs or alkeyhol.
#19 - On 03/14/2009 at 10:10pm by Lou_Briccant
Whoever thinks you shouldn't ignore homeless people needs to move into a real city for a week. If you acknowledged and responded to every single homeless person who talked to you as you traversed the city, you'd never get anywhere. And if you gave them money, you'd also be broke and probably soon homeless yourself. If you think this makes you a bad person, you obviously have no clue what you're talking about.
As for the OP: next time buy him lunch. But you could give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the Blackberry is the only pleasure he can enjoy. Maybe he had it before he lost his house or something.
So strange.
I never know what to do when asked by the homeless. The chances are it'll be used for an addiction (in many cases, but defiantly not all) and not for material needs... But then again, most don't even have the access to programs to help them end the addiction. Very frustrating.
But it breaks my heart when there's old ladies, or mothers on the street. Seriously, the world is messed up when....
#21 - On 03/14/2009 at 10:34pm by David_Agnew
ok, obviously some of you people have never been to Chicago. The first thing that we're advised to do when starting school here is to ignore ignore ignore. So many people have been mugged by "homeless" people just for stopping or when trying to give them money. "homeless" people here are extremely aggressive and tricky and sometimes it is hard to even ignore them because they will follow you and yell at you, and things can get uncomfortable really easily. It's happened to me several times. Also, I've tried to give people food that I was carrying back with me multiple times, only to have them ask what it is, and refuse things even like plain deep dish pizza, and white rice with chicken. My roommate has lived her forever and just acts like she is crazy so they leave her alone. There are food banks and shelters and people can take advantage of it if they are really that bad off.
#22 - On 03/14/2009 at 11:16pm by sidekickinit
ok, obviously some of you people have never been to Chicago. The first thing that we're advised to do when starting school here is to ignore ignore ignore. So many people have been mugged by "homeless" people just for stopping or when trying to give them money. "homeless" people here are extremely aggressive and tricky and sometimes it is hard to even ignore them because they will follow you and yell at you, and things can get uncomfortable really easily. It's happened to me several times. Also, I've tried to give people food that I was carrying back with me multiple times, only to have them ask what it is, and refuse things even like plain deep dish pizza, and white rice with chicken. My roommate has lived her forever and just acts like she is crazy so they leave her alone. There are food banks and shelters and people can take advantage of it if they are really that bad off.
#23 - On 03/14/2009 at 11:17pm by sidekickinit
fact: hobos make more than NY city police
opinion: whoever walks to a movie theatre and gives away enough money so they can no longer afford the movie is an idiot.
#24 - On 03/14/2009 at 11:42pm by TheAntiComment
#4 - I love you.
And this, along with many other reasons, is why I don't give anything to people on the street and only to a few select charities that I trust will distribute to people who actually need it *and* are trying to better themselves.
#25 - On 03/14/2009 at 11:46pm by AlyshaDeShae
well, almost the same thing happened to me.
i was walking inside a store and i see a guy sitting there with mesed up cloth, he was asking for money, saying that he had a wife and 3 kids, so i gave him 30 euros (that is like 40dollars or abit more) so latter when i got out of the shop i see that the guy left its cardboard, so i followed him to a parking and i was about to call him when i see him gettin on a sport BMW Z4, that sucked, the hobbo i gave money has a better car than mine!
#26 - On 03/15/2009 at 12:53am by franciscossj4
this guy where I live does that too. luckily, my friend warned me before he approached us. then as soon as he walked away he got a phone call and pulled out an iphone.
maybe I should dress up as a hobo... hmm...
#27 - On 03/15/2009 at 1:03am by fortunecookie
I live in arizona and they had a thing on the news about a bunch of lawyers and professional guys who dress like hobos on the weekend to pan handle. They say "well people are just giving it away I want a share" its so sad. There is one guy I give stuff to food or clothes and he really appreciates it, him and his son live in a tent by my job so I see it first hand other then that its hard to trust you may be giving it to someone better off then yourself!
Yeah, so that's one of a few reasons why I don't feel obligated to give to the homeless on the street. Some of them actually make more money than I do. Better luck next time.
#29 - On 03/15/2009 at 1:23am by JuJuBeeSunshine
Alright let me set it straight for you guys.
Hobos Dont make alot of money.
They might make enough to surprise you, but not enough to live like a human.
Now, this dude is begging for money, and then pulls out a blackberry? that is plain fucked up. No, he couldnt have stolen it.
and if he earned then what the fuck is he doing on the street? would any of you guys do it , no matter how broke you get?
its fucked.
Me? i always generously give money to homeless street people. like 5 maybe even 10$ depending on how much i think the person needs it.
Because well.. if he needs it, i believe in karma, and wanna help him
If hes a normal dude and.. faking it,and.if he can go through the humiliation and degradation of being on the street and begging for peoples spare change.. well i think hes earned my spare change..
#30 - On 03/15/2009 at 1:57am by latereflex
I don't give money to people on the streets. I completely ignore them. They're wasting time and energy standing there with their hands in front of them. There are plenty of things they can do without an employer to make money, such as recycling, odd jobs in the newspaper they find in recycle bins, or whatever. Actually, I shouldn't say I ignore every hobo. There is this one hobo around where I live that likes to sing, and he sings decently. I give him my change. Better than any of those Jack Johnson wannabes that play guitar like crap.
I volunteer at homeless shelters and other stuff like that, which I believe is a lot better than giving them a few bucks worth of change.
I was homeless for about a year after I got out of the military. I had my phone (palm treo) from when I was still making money and even scrounged up enough money doing odd jobs here and there to continue paying my 30 some dollar phone bill.
Also, shelters are not always an option. All the homeless shelters where I lived would fill up quick and everyone else was stuck outside no matter what the weather was like.
I know from first hand experience that it isn't as black and white as "homeless people make a lot of money" or "homeless people don't make a lot of money". Where I was at, some people have their little gimmicks and could go to sleep every night with over 100 dollars in their pocket and others would make about 10 dollars if they were lucky.
As far as giving homeless money, I wouldn't. Panhandling is a lazy way to get cash. Even I found a couple places that would give me money or food for sweeping up in front/in the store and stuff like that.
i personally give to certain homeless people, as i've learned to distinguish between them. some of the fakers are really easy to spot, like the ones with cell phones or that clothing item that they just couldn't have gotten if they were homeless. however, there are those that obviously really need it, and c'mon people, if you think about it you know who they are. i live in Chicago, and there are a few homeless people that i've actually talked to and come to understand their situations. ignoring them, as many of you advise, is ignoring a very real global problem, and i'd like to think i do my part to help these guys out. if you still insist on not giving to the homeless, there is still one group i'd like you to consider: those that are selling the StreetWise newspaper. this is a legitimate business meant for the homeless to make money where they actually have to try to earn something. those selling it will be around on the streets, and it's either 1 or 2 dollars for the paper.
People, statistics show the homeless brings in some serious dough. On average, they are high up on the list. The ones you can "distinguish" as real from fake are probably the ones that are homeless as a job, and they mean business. Now given that it is hard to tell, I'd say give them some food and any other basic necessities. Straight cash can be converted to all sorts of junk like drugs, prostitutes, and other crazy things like scratch-n-sniff stickers! No, if ever you'd like to help, help them to be fed and healthy.
#36 - On 03/15/2009 at 6:28am by roflmaonade
You must be really naive to still be giving money to people on the street. You had a good intention which I applaud you for, but don't even waste your time on people that feed off of others instead of working themselves for it. (sometimes they even do it professionally as con artists and make a very "good salary." Doesn't that disgust you?)
#38 - On 03/15/2009 at 11:31am by justjayit
I live in the suburbs, so it's not very common for me to see homeless people begging. However, when i go to Downtown with my friends, I always get asked for money. I dont feel very good about myself when I say no, but I cant give to every person ! I dont even know what they will do with the money, so what I usually do is ask them if its for food. If they saw yes, I walk across to Mcdonalds and buy the guy a burger.
#39 - On 03/15/2009 at 11:59am by Raspberry_007
People can have things from before they were homeless. Like #33.
Though it'd make sense to sell a coach bag or to trade in a blackberry for a cheaper phone (perhaps pre-paid), but meh.
This is the exception, not the rule.
You know what, with the economy these days, I could believe he might still need it more than you. Lots of people with Blackberries are on the street now.
#41 - On 03/15/2009 at 4:21pm by libertyprime
#34, not all panhandlers with cell phones are automatically fakers. I spent last summer interning at an adult literacy program in DC, working with many homeless people or people residing in shelters and rehab centers. Most of them had cell phones. The government will actually pay for cell phones for homeless people--I don't know the exact program that does this or how much they'll pay, but I know it happens. This is because if you have no home, you have no land line, and thus no way for potential employers to contact you, especially since many homeless and uneducated people have limited computer experience and no e-mail skills.
That being said, a Blackberry is a ridiculous choice for a panhandler.
#42 - On 03/15/2009 at 4:24pm by wafflemonger
yeah i work at a homeless shelter
and we don't need money we need fucking beds and soap and matches and light bulbs
but some of my homeless guys collect money from busking etc
and the things they want are so strange
they're used to living rough so they do seem to buy stuff like iPods and phones before actually buying a house :/
but yeah fakers piss me off..
The best thing I ever gave a homeless person was a lollipop and a free bigmac voucher that I had just won. He was so happy with the lollipop. But yeah I normally give food if I can, I prefer to give money to charities that can ensure they get the help they need.
#44 - On 03/15/2009 at 8:26pm by randomelginguy
Ha, it was probably one of those guys off Wall Street, who lost everything.
Except their cell phones.
#46 - On 03/15/2009 at 9:57pm by lastDECADE
I'm really pissed that some people think that you deserved this. You were just trying to be nice and you got played. Don't sweat it though because shit happens, and at least you didn't hand him a 20.
#47 - On 03/16/2009 at 3:39am by shinigami777
ugh i would have taken it back...and if he said nething just i would have pulled out my old nasty phone i have had for almost 10 years now and been like fine help me out with a new phone =O
lol, number 2 was a joke. Everyones taking it seriously.
#51 - On 03/16/2009 at 9:25pm by baseball5030
I once gave a hobo a bag of Doritos and he handed them back to me saying, "Man, you KNOW I don't eat cheese!"
No, I was actually quite unaware of that, motherfucker. Here are a few items closer to the top of the list of things I know about you other than the fact that you have an aversion to cheese:
1. You smell.
2. You sit outside Quick Trip all day, every day.
3. You've apparently never heard the saying, "Beggars can't be choosers."
4. You can go to hell.
It's stupid, lazy assholes like this that make me not want to help anyone. But, by all means, take your gov't handout that was robbed of productive men by threat of force and then get pushy with me when you're begging for more. You live in a country where you can eat better out of a dumpster than 2/3 the rest of the world. If you can't make it here, then you're pretty much fucked. The only homeless fund I'll be donating to will be one offering euthanasia.
don't give money to homeless people. ever. look them in the eye and say "I'm sorry, sir (ma'am), but... (I don't have any change/cash)" and keep walking. two years of living in nyc, this is what i've learned.
#53 - On 03/17/2009 at 5:37pm by splintercat
see? this is exactly why we never give beggers money. if they say they're hungry, buy them a sandwich.
#54 - On 03/17/2009 at 9:33pm by howmanybeestings
#30, how do judge how much they need it? do you ask them when they had their last crack rock? IDIOT TAX.
#56 - On 03/18/2009 at 5:55am by inlimbo11
everybody breathe. I am a homeless teenager and I own a blackberry, because I took it with me when I left home. maybe this guy is recently homeless or maybe he just had enough common sense to keep his phone, or maybe some really rich person gave it to him. I fucking hate how so many people on this site are judgemental assholes.
Don't give them money. They either have enough already, or they will use it to buy alcohol / drugs. Donate to a cause if you want to help the homeless.
@57 - don't run away from home if you want to bitch about being homeless. If you have a blackberry, your parents must be paying for it.
I never give money to bums unless they do something that takes so much talent that I can't bear not to.
#60 - On 03/19/2009 at 11:38pm by strawberryswirl
#57, you are a homeless teenager with a blackberry and an internet connection? wow. my common sense to keep my phone would involve trading in my blackberry for a really cheap phone so I got money to eat or whatever.
#61 - On 03/22/2009 at 7:17am by randomelginguy
It's true that many beggars make a lot of money, but it really depends on location and other factors. Here in NYC, many beggars wandering the trains during rush hour actually make more in a day than the people who give them the cash on their way to work. However, this still is more the exception than the rule. I know especially in these times you can feel guilt for ignoring someone who's down on their luck but there are other things you can do. I agree with many people, give them food, not money. If you don't want to go to that extent, do what I do and give to reputable charities that help the homeless.
My city gives some homeless people donated cell phones so they can receive calls about jobs. I don't know how many people would donate a Blackberry, though.
#12, what exactly did you expect her to do with the money? Save up and buy a house? Besides food, what else is there to buy when you're homeless?
#64 - On 03/26/2009 at 2:35am by latenights
Ive had that happen to me twice, once I saw the track marks on a guy's arm as he walked away, the next I saw guy walk around the corner into an alley and get into a very nice looking car while removing the dirty exterior. These were all years ago and I have not given to homeless since and refuse to again. charity, yes, homeless shelters, sure, but ill never give a cent to a street beggar again because I assume the worst.
#67 - On 04/01/2009 at 1:16pm by primogen18
LOL.
He's either a rotton scam or just really doesnt know how to use his money productivly.
#69 - On 04/05/2009 at 8:12pm by Opium_Rainbows
I noticed that a lot people said that you should just give food to people, but once, this lady came up to me and my friends begging for food, we were eating sandwiches in front of her so my friend ripped of a piece and gave it to her, the lady looked at the piece of bread and threw it at my friends face, apparently she wanted meat.
#70 - On 04/16/2009 at 10:14pm by watevs
huh
wows
a blackberry hu??
what the hell
mayhaps he was a wall street person who lost his job?
either way, what an asshole
#72 - On 05/01/2009 at 1:03am by Capo123
So the guy got the blackberry before he was homeless, and continues to use it to keep in touch with loved ones and for job-searching, so potential employers can reach him.
Did you scream at him: "Hey! You're a bum! You're not supposed to have nice things! You're only allowed to possess the rags on your back and maybe a shopping cart full of cans!"
#74 - On 05/02/2009 at 1:07pm by christopherlove
Not sure what the average street beggar makes in other cities but in my neighborhood (Aurora CO) I followed a street beggar back to his car (a 2007 BMW SUV) wherein he threw his sign and took off his fake knee brace and I assume rode back to his $400K home. I think its about time some of these so called "investigative journalist" do an expose of these guys. Don't hold your breath.
thats fucked up! Not all homless people are like that though. But that is why you give them clothes,blankets, or food not money. My mom used to buy this dude food and give him her used clothes and give him blankets like every time we saw him. he was a real hobo. Eventually he got off the street which is good :).
Most hobos are hobos because they have disabilites which prevent them from working. so still help hobos
just dont give them money :)
#81 - On 01/10/2010 at 10:29am by metro_mello
