Most*

I live in one of the biggest cities in the US, and there are homeless and panhandlers on every street corner. Literally. The problem is that you don't which is which, and if you are really helping or merely perpetuating a problem by encouraging panhandling or giving homeless drug addicts money for their next high. I've been assaulted by people asking for money. I've been threatened when I declined to take them to my apartment. I've had my car punched because some dude was angry the driver next to me didn't give him money. You would do more help by donating to established charities and shelters.

I do both. I go almost every year to NYC through the YSOP program which on its own provides food and shelter for the homeless as well as many other things. What me and other people from my school do is make food for homeless and hungry people and then talk with them at dinner and the next day we go to various different soup kitchens, food pantries, and other places like that around nyc. During the times when we are just walking through the city I'll give a little money to people I see or I'll help people if they need something small and people give me weird looks or say I'm wrong for doing that and I think that that's just bullshit. People should help others who need it and not just ignore them

You do realize addictions physically hurt?

#12 Yes, addictions physically hurt people, but not every homeless person is an addict. In fact, majority aren't, and they're usually just going through a difficult time, or it's often due to mental health issues. Unfortunately though, it's hard to tell which ones will use the money in a decent way, and which ones will waste it.

#12: I was addicted to prescription medication and went cold turkey. I've experienced withdrawal first-hand, and the side effects of those years spent in a drugged up haze remain to this day. It sucks, but there it is, and I'm not going to give others the money to keep their habit going. I've seen and experienced both sides of the coin.

Coming from someone who works in downtown Chicago, I see a lot of people begging for money. I'm not exactly made of money, but I try to give a few dollars here and there to help out when I can. What hurts the most is when immediately after taking my money, they ask for more and tell me / act like I didn't give them ENOUGH. It never ends, and then if you say it's all you can give now they often redirect you to the nearest ATM. I still never give up trying to help those in need, but It's made me understand why some people feel the way they do about the situation, and why they say not to give. It's sad from both sides, no matter how you look at it.

#4 I agree with you and feel bad for OP. I mean your hair is stuck what's the problem with asking for a little help? And then for number 4, First of all why are they even offering an opinion? They obviously didn't want yours so why should they hand out there's? Secondly, its your time and money, you spend both just how you want to, you earned them not anyone else. People do not do enough for each other anymore if anything at all. If you take the time and make the effort to simply smile and say hi to someone as you walk by they look at you like you're a stalker or something. At the end of the day you have to answer to your self and your own convictions, do what you feel is right for you.

Let me preface with saying that I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't help people. But if you're not from a city, you do have to understand that a decent number of people claiming to need help in cities are scammers who don't actually need help, and are just making money in an easy way. More than likely, that's the reason you get the response that you do from city residents.

Yeah I agree with the city thing. In big cities, there are so many homeless people that you just cannot give money to all of them. Also, like someone said, it's hard to tell which ones are actually homeless. That's why it's best to give food or clothes, not money.

Also in my city most of the homeless people tend to hang around at night. As a young woman, I just don't feel safe going up to a random man on the street at night.

I love it here in the South, everyone just loves everyone.

Your attempt to have a pun, totally failed.

I thought it worked well tbh.

Lol I thought that after I posted it, but I had to stick to my guns... Can't give up on a pun THAT bad

That's just ****** up if you're a kid, they just stepped over you as you were stuck right in the middle(or side, I don't know) of the escalator?

I was about 6-7 at the time and I fell on my rear and my pants got cut up and stuck and people were stepping over me and walking away. I was a bit off to the side so it wasn't like there wasn't room to get by, but nobody stopped to help while my mother nearby was unable to do anything because of the people walking past her and over me. A worker came by after about 2 minutes and helped me up. Almost had an artery in my upper left thigh near my groin get shredded by the escalator, which they said I could've bled out from. I still have a wicked 2.5 inch scar that's like an indent.

no one wants to help other people. they all want to focus on themselves. its valid... except for people who cant help themselves for some reason. they are the ones who need help. the right kind of help, that is. teaching them to fish is better than giving them a fish.

It's even worse nowadays because people would rather take pictures or record than help the person in need.

Um, not everyone is like that. Some people genuinely ENJOY helping others in any way they can. What you've observed is likely confirmation bias....

Although I'll agree, people are selfish in general, sometimes "helping" can be selfish in and of itself (that good feeling or "rush" you get from it, feeling like you've done your good deed for the day, etc.).

Some days when Im feeling especially badass, I help old ladies cross the street to get high. Those old ladies sell some really strong stuff.

I'm on mobile so I can't see, what state is it?

Florida

Long hair. Opening or closing or just when the umbrella is closed. It's really not that hard.

long hair + windy, rainy day