Panhandling is getting out of control. I have come to the point where I dread having to stop at red lights. I understand some people may really need help and be looking for charity but that is not the case for all of them. They all seem to have the same story, “Disabled Vet, lost Job, supporting 5 kids, spouse has cancer, please help.” Occasionally you will see an honest sign that says, “I need a beer.”
How do you determine who is being truthful and who is full of shit? Unfortunately, you cannot. You have to go with your gut feeling. I want to ask if they have proof of being a veteran. It is illegal to impersonate a veteran. I also will not give you any money if you are a female and you can obviously tell you have freshly waxed eyebrows and are ready for a touch up on your hair color. I give money to panhandlers on very seldom occasions. Normally if it is a woman I have seen continuously and she looks tired and worn out or if it is someone from a group I recognize collecting donations.
I want to stand on a corner with a sign that reads, “Full time working mother of 1 gifted child, married to a full time working Vet, just proving a point” or something similar that is wittier. My husband will not allow me to do this because he feels that opens me up to retaliation from the real panhandlers.
I personally have a relative who is homeless. The only reason is because he wants to be. He does not try to work nor does he have a desire to do so. I am not sure how he eats but I know he sleeps in large drain pipes or in the woods. It was his choice to live like that, why should I be charitable to someone of that nature?
The bottom line is to be careful when giving to panhandlers.
How do you determine who is being truthful and who is full of shit? Unfortunately, you cannot. You have to go with your gut feeling. I want to ask if they have proof of being a veteran. It is illegal to impersonate a veteran. I also will not give you any money if you are a female and you can obviously tell you have freshly waxed eyebrows and are ready for a touch up on your hair color. I give money to panhandlers on very seldom occasions. Normally if it is a woman I have seen continuously and she looks tired and worn out or if it is someone from a group I recognize collecting donations.
I want to stand on a corner with a sign that reads, “Full time working mother of 1 gifted child, married to a full time working Vet, just proving a point” or something similar that is wittier. My husband will not allow me to do this because he feels that opens me up to retaliation from the real panhandlers.
I personally have a relative who is homeless. The only reason is because he wants to be. He does not try to work nor does he have a desire to do so. I am not sure how he eats but I know he sleeps in large drain pipes or in the woods. It was his choice to live like that, why should I be charitable to someone of that nature?
The bottom line is to be careful when giving to panhandlers.
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