Beggars

[Garydh]

Walking around downtown Portland OR, I get so frustrated with the Beggars, everyone apporaching saying man can you spare a quatere, got any change, or dude got a cigarette? Some of them are young and can do something to earn money, but I guess this is a trend.

There are some, bless their souls that are strung out, but you can't help them. There are plenty of intervention places, some make it some don't.

Then the others, that at least grab a guitar, play their plastic gallon containers (drums), and do real good sounds. I am more apt to give them some change vs those that are just begging. Then the street magician, or juggler they too at least earn their money.
 The one I really liked is the guy that put a sign up for change, saying I just want to buy a beer!

How do you feel, if you have ever run into them?

[raven1114]

It depends on what kind of vibe I get from them. There's some that I've just walked away from and others I've either given a small bit of money to or else I've gone and gotten food for them. There was this gentleman one time at the store that was homeless. We went in and got him a few days worth of food and some for his dog also. It wasn't a lot but at least enough to last him a few days.

[derrick12480]

I feel sorry for them more than anything. Typically it's just a case of bad circumstances and not just drugs or laziness. Sometimes even mental illness.

[Sendmicheck]

when I see beggars, it reminds of someone who were once happy and full of life.  Something or someone disturb the mind of beggars and send them from one place in life to another and then they ended up on the streets.  I believe, you are hungry,  I will give you money to buy a cup of coffee.

[pirewolf]

My dad always said their are two kinds of beggars, the ones that don't want to work and the ones that actually had something happen to them. The problem is that you can't always tell what you are dealing with right off the bat. He said you should always try to help out if you can, but keep in mind you don't have to the way they want you to. Most people think if someone needs money you can only give them money. My dad would lesson to why they were asking for the money. If they asked for money for food he would offer to take them out to eat. If they asked for money for gas he would drive them were they needed or fill up their car. He always said that if you offer someone what they say they need and they still want the money they don't need it, they are trying to scam you. Anyone who is truely hungry would want the food, if they were going to buy it anyways. If someone wants some money for gas and you offer to fill up their whole tank and they say no, they are just trying to get money. So there is no reason to turn down help if you need it and they can afford it, so why would you. Unless you are begging to make money off of people.

[hawkeye3210]

I usually just do my best to ignore them and keep walking.  Just don't know enough about their true intentions.

[Garydh]

Each of you have shared your personal story, and I hope you were never one to have to suffer as some of them do. Yes, some or just out for the money, others  do have health, life circumstances and of course drugs. I way in on as most of you said, how they personally affect you. I think we do have an inner self that guides us to do what is right under the circumstances, and yes give when where, and if you can when that inner guide directs you. God Bless

[Sunshine4372]

If they are young, its ashame that someone doesn't point them in the right direction.  Maybe to get a better education.  They won't have to pay for there education while they earning there degree.  Also sadly most of the beggars in my area are vets and need medication due to Post Traumatic Syndrome or other metal disease from being at war.  Such a sad site to see.

[tssoutha]

Most beggars are frauds. They are too lazy to get an actual job so they trick people into giving them money.

[tigerlilly01]

I feel pity for those begging.... what has brought them to that place is what comes to my mind.  Do they have family?  Are they all alone in the world?  I know some are frauds ... I've seen that.  But some even though they just want money to buy booze the are hurting and many have true mental problems.  My husband almost always hulps them.  I will too when I can and if I don't feel threatened.  I always say a prayer for them.  God loves them just as much as a millionaire in a big mansion..... and so should we.

[Phx0808]

There was a guy who said he hadn't had a bite in three days, so I bit him.

I assess  the situation as well. I tend to watch for signs. I am sorry to say people at Walmart and people who stand on the side of the road or left turn lanes island are automatically declined.

I never have understood begging money for funerals. Both on TV or on the funerals.

People with wild stories about how their car just blew a gasket, and they have to get to their mother's bedside in the hospital because she's dying of a heart attack. I offered a ride to the hospital and they don't want to leave the car. (really?) I offered to fix the car, they replied "there isn't time." They finally came out with the truth, Look, I am just trying to get food for my kids. Oh really? (so the $200 you just spent in Walmart, isn't enough food for your kids?)

So all in all I don't give money usually. Every now and again though, I will give it to them. I like to help people out when I can if they really need the help. The trouble is, with the economy as it is today, creates more people who are really in need, but it also creates more people who will scam you if they can.

My favorite is when they start off, " I am sorry to disturb you" and it's said with all the emotion of reading something out loud or that of a psychopath.

[tantricia44]

Ya, I feel for alot of them esp. during the holidays they come out like in droves. Me & my husband(RIP2009) couldn't even sit in our car & eat our mcds before a person w/a kid comes banging on the window asking for money. The tale was that his wife was in the hospital, he needed change for gas. My husband fell for it, gave them 5 bucks which I scolded him after the guy took off. As the years go by, I got tougher & just say no change. One time a guy stopped me at walmart trying to sell me some jewelry. It looked real pretty but i didn't know where it came from whether it was stolen or legit. The last time it happened to me again was when I was going into CVS to pick up my meds & a guy ask me for change. I truthfully told him I had no change. I was kind of *bleep* to because, I was at the door & this guy barges out & asking for change. Okay, I wondered if he had no monies, why is he coming out of CVS for? A long time ago, I was still in college & it was thanksgiving holiday & I was shopping. A group of beggars came up to me, telling me they're hungry & have no money. Can I spare some change. I thought they're hungry, I'll give them the extra turkey I had. In my face they took the turkey & threw it on the ground & smashed it. Someone called the cops & they took off. I stood there looking at the wasted turkey & cried. So, no I don't give to beggars b/c most say they're hungry but in reality they want your change for drugs & not food.

[ladycasshmere]

I use to have more sympathy til I helped this guy out with food. He got an attitude because I bought him food but he said he was hungry and needed money to get a meal. That's when I realized he was just trying to get high. Another time I gave someone a dollar and they turned around and had the nerve to ask for a five!

[oldbuddy]

If I can show up here for 17 cents a day, I'm not going to buy the story that there is nothing they can do to make the money they need to get by.

[Thesaboteur]

If you find them near a freeway, it is likely they are conmen. A lot of people actually take this for a job and can make $100 a day. It is very sad that people take advantage of this, but life is a struggle.