How often do strangers ask you for money?

[marko]

Well.................here's a new one, at least to me!

Just drove by a guy holding up a sign: "Please help, two kids, need money, blah, blah, blah....Please send money to CashApp [guys name]"

So now, even the panhandlers are taking donations electronically! Wow! You don't even have to roll down the car window to hand him a buck!

 

[Doribe]

I don't make eye contact and don't engage in any conversation. Sometimes a nod "no" is required for them to look for their next mark. I don't feel bad since I generously donate for causes that are meant to help them.

I would be nervous on a deserted trail and came across someone creepy. You should always have a plan.

 

[braumeister]

Well.................here's a new one, at least to me!

Just drove by a guy holding up a sign: "Please help, two kids, need money, blah, blah, blah....Please send money to CashApp [guys name]"

So now, even the panhandlers are taking donations electronically! Wow! You don't even have to roll down the car window to hand him a buck!

There's one around here with his Venmo info on his sign.
But my favorite is still the guy I saw a couple of years ago with "Bitcoin accepted" on his cardboard.

 

[motley]

I get asked for money by random strangers at least 1-2 times a week. I don't like it at all.

I don't know what to say (I don't give it to them).

Is there any way I can look more unapproachable to them? Or something I can tell myself that makes me feel less crappy in the moment?

(I am F and find strange men getting too close when no one is around downright creepy). Not to say I like the women better but I mean at least I don't think of them as a potential threat.

It is often at the gas station or a parking lot. Today it was on a walking trail that was mostly deserted.

Wow, 1-2 times a week? I think I'd be trying to move to a diff area. I get it rarely - like maybe once every few years - but it does happen. Now if anyone I don't know approaches me with some line like "Can I talk to you for a second?" I hold up my hand and say "I don't have any money." I might get a pissy look, but it saves both of us some time.

 

[motley]

There's one around here with his Venmo info on his sign.
But my favorite is still the guy I saw a couple of years ago with "Bitcoin accepted" on his cardboard.

Around here they're (finally) starting to put up signs on the medians near stop lights that say something like "For both your and their safety, don't give handouts to strangers. Those in need should contact...." and some hot line number. Those people are a joke too. Studies that have been done about this have proven nearly all of them aren't homeless or starving or whatever...and when approached with a job offer to make money, they scatter like rabbits lol. They're just leeches looking for free money.

 

[wdberry62]

I reply "No thanks, I only give to my church" and keep walking. Agree with the many comments that the problem has grown significantly in the past year or so.

 

[Al18]

If the homeless person has a smartphone, he really doesn’t need the money in my opinion.

 

[friar1610]

I was waiting for a train in Boston’s South Station last week. A guy in his 30’s asked me if I could help him out with “a couple of bucks”. A sign that inflation will be around for a while - the last time I was asked it was for “spare change”.

(I’m a male in my 70’s, was dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt plus a fleece and a ball cap. Not scruffy but certainly not dressed for success.)

Another South Station story, A guy standing near me - probably early twenties. Dressed like he was heading to Maine for hiking - big backpack, shorts, floppy hat, hiking boots. He’s approached by a guy wh wants twenty bucks! The hiker says no. The seeker of the handout is very persistent and turns it into a negotiation. “OK - I’ll settle for $10.” He gets down to five before he leaves in disgust. Obviously not worth it for any less than $5!

 

[street]

I have never been asked for money from a stranger.

 

[marko]

If the homeless person has a smartphone, he really doesn’t need the money in my opinion.

They get free cell phones around here.

 

[CO-guy]

A few weeks ago I was asked for money by a stranger as I was leaving a family member's home. It was after 10pm as I was getting into my car on the street and they asked for grocery money. I made it clear that I neither had cash nor was it appropriate to hassle guests of his "neighbors" on the street. They seemed to get the message.

 

[JBTX]

Getting asked isn’t that common maybe a few times a year. Seeing people on side of road asking for money is a weekly or almost a daily occurrence.

If somebody “looks” homeless I usually avoid eye contact and walk right by. If someone asks I’ll usually say “sorry” or “sorry can’t help you” and keep going.

In the past I may have given to someone here and there but after getting chewed out by one guy after giving that kind of sealed it. Plus a presentation given by downtown police saying to avoid doing so because it puts you in further danger - you bring wallet or purse out and easier to steal, or the person or another person may follow you to your car.

From what I’ve seen I suspect there is a high degree of drug use among such people. Unfortunately I’ve had close contact with some meth and other addicts in recent years. Trust me when I say they will do or say anything to assist in their quest to get high, or as a result.

Many years ago a guy outside my car at an intersection asked me for a dollar or some amount that if he got he said he could get him a sandwich. For some reason I had sympathy for that pitch and gave him something. It was a long traffic light, I got to see him head straight for the liquor store across the street as I sat and waited for the light.

 

[CO-guy]

When it comes to people holding up signs, there's two places in our town where folks post-up in the summer. Both are by the entrance/exit to the supermarket parking lot. They're only there in the summer. It's far too cold in the winter here for anyone to be homeless.

Regardless, the first time I saw one, I walked over and explained to the people that there's a food pantry 4-blocks away where they can get a box of food for free. No names, no addresses. Nothing. You just walk in, say you're hungry, and they give you a box of food that doesn't require cooking. I explained all of that, and they weren't interested. Now I just ignore them in the summer. The volume of tourists that give these folks money makes it a very lucrative spot.

 

[Gumby]

....

Many years ago a guy outside my car at an intersection asked me for a dollar or some amount that if he got he said he could get him a sandwich. For some reason I had sympathy for that pitch and gave him something. It was a long traffic light, I got to see him head straight for the liquor store across the street as I sat and waited for the light.

About 25 years ago, some guy approached me in the parking lot as I was leaving work for the day and asked me if I could give him a dollar. It was snowing hard. He said "Look, I'll be honest with you. I'm going to buy booze." I replied "well, you're not going to get much for a buck" and gave him a ten.

 

[Koolau]

About 25 years ago, some guy approached me in the parking lot as I was leaving work for the day and asked me if I could give him a dollar. It was snowing hard. He said "Look, I'll be honest with you. I'm going to buy booze." I replied "well, you're not going to get much for a buck" and gave him a ten.

Heh, heh, honesty is the best policy.

 

[momoney]

I see entire families sitting on the side of the road while one adult with a sign in broken english approaches the cars. Everyone is well dressed and groomed.

I don't usually get approached when I'm driving the "beater".

 

[Koolau]

I see entire families sitting on the side of the road while one adult with a sign in broken english approaches the cars. Everyone is well dressed and groomed.

I don't usually get approached when I'm driving the "beater".

Just one more reason I hope to keep my 24 year old faded Buick.

Seriously, my heart goes out to people who don't have enough to eat, but realistically, there are lots of programs to help such folks these days. We have a United Way food pantry on one corner and our Church's food pantry 200 steps away. They're both always busy when open. Some of the "customers" drive much nicer cars than my old Buick. No one goes hungry that is willing to put in the effort to go pick up free food. I'm glad of that though YMMV.

 

[jim584672]

If the homeless person has a smartphone, he really doesn’t need the money in my opinion.

Anyone on SNAP or Medicaid can get a Lifeline cell phone.

 

[motley]

A few weeks ago I was asked for money by a stranger as I was leaving a family member's home. It was after 10pm as I was getting into my car on the street and they asked for grocery money. I made it clear that I neither had cash nor was it appropriate to hassle guests of his "neighbors" on the street. They seemed to get the message.

Late at night, I don't think I'd give someone a lecture...they might pull a knife or gun.

 

[motley]

This topic always reminds me of this:

Not that I'd give him any money anyway, but it was good for a laugh.