Panhandlers

[Blue2010]

I'm probably going to lose some "Christianity Points" with this thread, but oh well.

I'm just curious if these schemes bother anyone else as much as they do me. Literally, every day of the week, at every intersection, there is someone panhandling. Since I drive the same route every day, I have literally seen these people trade off "shifts" -- one person will walk up carrying his/her belongings in a backpack...walk across the street to the median where the other person is, and they will exchange pleasantries...hand the sign off to the next person...and then go on about their day. I have seen these people yelling at drivers who won't acknowledge them standing there...when there is a red light, they will pace down the median walking beside every car that is waiting....

This is literally a "business" for these people. You cannot even walk down the street anymore without someone begging you for something. Hell, I can't even get out to pump gas half the time without someone coming up to me. One guy literally tried to hustle me into buying a damn woman's watch.

Sorry for the rant, but these damn people are about to drive me insane. I truly hope Charleston won't be like this.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I hate it. And I hate that Chapel Hill won't do shit about it.

FTR, I haven't seen panhandling in Charleston (but that don't mean it isn't there)

 

[tarheel0910]

I was walking to lunch one day and went by a guy claiming to be homeless and asking for some money. The reason I say claiming is because I happened to notice that he had on a pair of brand new retro air jordans that cost around $200. Figured that was a sign that he might be FOS.

 

[Blue2010]

I was walking to lunch one day and went by a guy claiming to be homeless and asking for some money. The reason I say claiming is because I happened to notice that he had on a pair of brand new retro air jordans that cost around $200. Figured that was a sign that he might be FOS.

I guarantee the majority of these people are FOS.

 

[UNC71-00]

I guarantee the majority of these people are FOS.

My dad has a great way to handle this- he buys $5 McDonalds gift cards and if someone hits him up and he thinks the guy is in legitimate need of help, he gives them 1-2 of those.

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

Yep, it's sad but most are just using the generous. I would hope that anyone down on their luck would try and get assistance from their county or share agencies before panhandling but I'm sure it happens. If they are only wanting money I'm skeptical but if they want food or a job, I'm more inclined to want to help.

Hopefully Trump will bring so many jobs, this will be something we see less and less of.

 

[Raising Heel]

I guarantee the majority of these people are FOS.

It really undermines your faith in people.

I, too, usually drive the same route to and from work every day and can tell you every corner where there will be a panhandler. What was immediately apparent to me was that every spot is within 2-3 blocks of an ABC store.

This question came up a while back and I liked what @UNC71-00 said his dad did (think I've got the players right here). He said his dad keeps McDonald's gift cards in his glove compartment and hands those out instead of cash.

 

[Raising Heel]

My dad has a great way to handle this- he buys $5 McDonalds gift cards and if someone hits him up and he thinks the guy is in legitimate need of help, he gives them 1-2 of those.

Hahahahaha dammit.

 

[Blue2010]

I have seen some who are genuinely trying to better themselves. I would pass this one guy who you know was homeless and I started seeing him doing odds and ends jobs like washing storefront windows for local businesses... And there was another guy who a buddy of mine talked to on occasion to be friendly and he was mentioning how he had gotten help from one of the local organizations to pick himself up and find a place to stay, get a job, etc.

But those are way overshadowed by the ones you can tell are just prying on people. I know I'm probably just a self-centered jerk on this, but I don't care. It really pisses me off...and (the accountant side of my brain) knows they are running this scam tax-free. And the cops just look at them and drive right by.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I was walking to lunch one day and went by a guy claiming to be homeless and asking for some money. The reason I say claiming is because I happened to notice that he had on a pair of brand new retro air jordans that cost around $200. Figured that was a sign that he might be FOS.

I had a "homeless" guy ask me for money outside of a gas station in Decatur. My go-to response is "Sorry, I only have a card, man" (which is true most of the time).

I then went inside to buy something to drink. I noticed the same dude came in, and grabbed something off the shelf. I didn't track him to see where he went after that, but he definitely walked out of the store with it, whether he paid for it or not. I agree with this quote from RH:

It really undermines your faith in people.

 

[UNC71-00]

I have seen some who are genuinely trying to better themselves. I would pass this one guy who you know was homeless and I started seeing him doing odds and ends jobs like washing storefront windows for local businesses... And there was another guy who a buddy of mine talked to on occasion to be friendly and he was mentioning how he had gotten help from one of the local organizations to pick himself up and find a place to stay, get a job, etc.

But those are way overshadowed by the ones you can tell are just prying on people. I know I'm probably just a self-centered jerk on this, but I don't care. It really pisses me off...and (the accountant side of my brain) knows they are running this scam tax-free. And the cops just look at them and drive right by.

I usually just feel sorry for them regardless of whether or not I think they are trying to run a scam because in the spectrum of scams, that's a crappy racket to run.

 

[Raising Heel]

And the cops just look at them and drive right by.

This part kills me, too. Same as cops watching people run red lights and drive like a-holes (and often it's the cops themselves). A society of laws doesn't work when those laws aren't enforced.

 

[UNC71-00]

This part kills me, too. Same as cops watching people run red lights and drive like a-holes (and often it's the cops themselves). A society of laws doesn't work when those laws aren't enforced.

Too many stupid laws so as a result, people end up ignoring whichever ones they want or think they can get away with breaking.

 

[Raising Heel]

I usually just feel sorry for them regardless of whether or not I think they are trying to run a scam because in the spectrum of scams, that's a crappy racket to run.

Yes and no. Standing out in the elements can really suck. On the other hand, I've read that it's not uncommon for panhandlers to make $200 a day. Assuming they work 8 hours, that's $25 an hour completely tax free. The median hourly wage in the U.S. is $21.80 before taxes.

 

[Raising Heel]

Too many stupid laws so as a result, people end up ignoring whichever ones they want or think they can get away with breaking.

Right, but I don't consider traffic laws stupid. They're there to ensure we don't kill other people (or ourselves). After all, we are operating deadly weapons when we drive.

 

[Blue2010]

This part kills me, too. Same as cops watching people run red lights and drive like a-holes (and often it's the cops themselves). A society of laws doesn't work when those laws aren't enforced.

Yup... so, I leave work at 5:30am (got off work at midnight there the night before and crashed at my parents place) from Topsail Island to head back to UNCW and get ready for my 8am class. It's pitch dark, no a single car around, and this douche-of-a-cop is hiding like a snake in the grass. Pulls me for rolling through the stop sign.

And then gets all pissy when I ask him if he successfully filled his quote with my ticket (b/c it was also the end of the month).

I was a threat to society but some hustler yelling at cars at the red light isn't. Amazing.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

My dad has a great way to handle this- he buys $5 McDonalds gift cards and if someone hits him up and he thinks the guy is in legitimate need of help, he gives them 1-2 of those.

So that explains why I have all these homeless guys trying to sell me $5 McDonald's gift cards for $4 in cash...

 

[gunslingerdick]

Sorry for the rant, but these damn people are about to drive me insane. I truly hope Charleston won't be like this.

You're moving to Charleston, SC? When are you moving and where do you plan to live?

 

[Blue2010]

You're moving to Charleston, SC? When are you moving and where do you plan to live?

Later this year, and if I could convince my wife of it, I'd go the love boat route.

The kids would understand...

We haven't decided yet, to be honest.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I run into my fair share as well. There's one guy that has a self-made sign. I've noticed on several occasions that he uses the sign to hide the fact that he's texting (or doing something) on his iPhone.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Later this year, and if I could convince my wife of it, I'd go the love boat route.

The kids would understand...

We haven't decided yet, to be honest.

I lived in Mt. P for several years and it was glorious. I highly recommend it. My wife and I are planning on going back when my kids are out of school and my parents have moved on.

 

[BillyL]

I think it would be cool to give away those MacDs $5 cards . . . when the closest is like 100 miles away.

 

[Blue2010]

I lived in Mt. P for several years and it was glorious. I highly recommend it. My wife and I are planning on going back when my kids are out of school and my parents have moved on.

That's definitely an area we have our eye on. I've only been to Charleston 3 times, so I'm not really familiar with the full landscape just yet, so we'll make more trips down the closer we get. But from what I've seen those three times, Mt. Pleasant is a place we liked a lot. I just want to avoid having to get on I26 / I526 at all if I can help it. I made sure to follow the news stations on Twitter to get a feel for the area that way, and it seems like traffic is horrendous on that road during rush hour.

 

[coryfly]

I'll give to them now and then. I used to work around a lot of homeless and most of them actually don't ask for anything. I prefer to give to organizations I trust over individuals though. I have bought food for people before. I've also given them rides back to wherever they live at times, which was pretty dumb.

 

[gunslingerdick]

That's definitely an area we have our eye on. I've only been to Charleston 3 times, so I'm not really familiar with the full landscape just yet, so we'll make more trips down the closer we get. But from what I've seen those three times, Mt. Pleasant is a place we liked a lot. I just want to avoid having to get on I26 / I526 at all if I can help it. I made sure to follow the news stations on Twitter to get a feel for the area that way, and it seems like traffic is horrendous on that road during rush hour.

I lived in Mt. P but worked in North Charleston. So I traveled 526 everyday. It's not that bad. On good mornings, I could be at work in 20 minutes. On bad days, 45.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

I think it would be cool to give away those MacDs $5 cards . . . when the closest is like 100 miles away.

I'm not sure you can be in this country and be 100 miles from a McDonald's.

 

[coolwaterunc]

 

[Blue2010]

I lived in Mt. P but worked in North Charleston. So I traveled 526 everyday. It's not that bad. On good mornings, I could be at work in 20 minutes. On bad days, 45.

That's very helpful b/c our office there is located in N.Charleston. Thanks for passing that along. I know we're going to make several trips down once we get to spring.

 

[gunslingerdick]

That's very helpful b/c our office there is located in N.Charleston. Thanks for passing that along. I know we're going to make several trips down once we get to spring.

Let me know when you're doing that. I'd love to help you out with some local knowledge on attractions, neighborhoods, etc. Good luck.

 

[Blue2010]

Let me know when you're doing that. I'd love to help you out with some local knowledge on attractions, neighborhoods, etc. Good luck.

Thanks man...will probably take you up on that. Greatly appreciated!

 

[nctransplant]

I'm not sure you can be in this country and be 100 miles from a McDonald's.

45 for me

 

[coolwaterunc]

45 for me

So I'm guessing that means the furthest any person in America can be from a McDonald's location is 45 miles.

 

[nctransplant]

So I'm guessing that means the furthest any person in America can be from a McDonald's location is 45 miles.

I doubt it. Not a MD fan anyway though

 

[heelmanwilm]

I give them food. The spot where i frequently go to lowes usually has one in the median. If i see him on the way in and its lunch time i'll get some cheeseburgers off dollar menu for him. I usually have a protein bar or pack o nabs rolling around in the jeep and i'll give those as well. Lately its been a woman who is obviously a meth head. U can tell she used to be attractive. Quite sad.
I used to take my son and his bud to a skate park every sat and we would hit andy's on the way home. (Pre health food days). A beggar hit us up
And i politely declined. My son and friend asked why so we talked about addiction and so on. But once inside i ordered a meal for him and sent my son out with it to give to him. That was prob 15 yrs ago and i had long forgotten it. Recently i ran into my sons friend from the skate park at the grocery store. Hes like 23 yrs old now. Out of the blue (lol) he tells me "i'll never forget the day u bought that homeless guy some food at andy's. I always tell people about that. Thats the nicest thing i've ever seen anyone do. I always do it when i can." U never know how your actions can impact others.

 

[heelmanwilm]

Asheville is THE WORST for panhandlers. They are on every block downtown. Sometimes in groups And very aggressive ones at that. They actually will argue with you and tell you "come on u know you've got a dollar" and so on.

 

[tarheel0910]

I give them food. The spot where i frequently go to lowes usually has one in the median. If i see him on the way in and its lunch time i'll get some cheeseburgers off dollar menu for him. I usually have a protein bar or pack o nabs rolling around in the jeep and i'll give those as well. Lately its been a woman who is obviously a meth head. U can tell she used to be attractive. Quite sad.
I used to take my son and his bud to a skate park every sat and we would hit andy's on the way home. (Pre health food days). A beggar hit us up
And i politely declined. My son and friend asked why so we talked about addiction and so on. But once inside i ordered a meal for him and sent my son out with it to give to him. That was prob 15 yrs ago and i had long forgotten it. Recently i ran into my sons friend from the skate park at the grocery store. Hes like 23 yrs old now. Out of the blue (lol) he tells me "i'll never forget the day u bought that homeless guy some food at andy's. I always tell people about that. Thats the nicest thing i've ever seen anyone do. I always do it when i can." U never know how your actions can impact others.

I'm going to like this post just because the food came from Andy's. That alone makes you a good man.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Out of the blue (lol) he tells me "i'll never forget the day u bought that homeless guy some food at andy's. I always tell people about that. Thats the nicest thing i've ever seen anyone do. I always do it when i can." U never know how your actions can impact others.

That's awesome. I have some memories from when I was a child that really stand out regarding others' actions - some positive and some negative. And whether you agree with giving panhandlers money/food/etc or not, I think it's great that you made such a positive lasting memory for your son's friend.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I have an issue with just giving something (mostly money) away for nothing. Not always, because I do probably more than my fair share of charitable giving (both in terms of time and money), but more when I think it's almost counterproductive. If someone really needed a couple bucks to make ends meet one day, and I knew that the following week they'd have their stuff figured out and back on their feet - I'd definitely be willing to help them out. But when I know that they'll be on the same street corner doing the same begging months from now (and have a sneaky suspicion that the money given will be spent on something less than legal), I'm reluctant to give.

I'd much rather treat it as a "give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a man to fish feed him for a lifetime" type deal. Fortunately I don't have panhandlers near my residence (only near work downtown), but if I did I'd be willing to give them a couple bucks in exchange for some very minor work - like carrying my groceries into my house (minus the fact that I'd be inviting strangers into my house, but you get the point). Or shoveling my sidewalk, or something like that.

 

[Blue2010]

I have an issue with just giving something (mostly money) away for nothing. Not always, because I do probably more than my fair share of charitable giving (both in terms of time and money), but more when I think it's almost counterproductive. If someone really needed a couple bucks to make ends meet one day, and I knew that the following week they'd have their stuff figured out and back on their feet - I'd definitely be willing to help them out. But when I know that they'll be on the same street corner doing the same begging months from now (and have a sneaky suspicion that the money given will be spent on something less than legal), I'm reluctant to give.

I'd much rather treat it as a "give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a man to fish feed him for a lifetime" type deal. Fortunately I don't have panhandlers near my residence (only near work downtown), but if I did I'd be willing to give them a couple bucks in exchange for some very minor work - like carrying my groceries into my house (minus the fact that I'd be inviting strangers into my house, but you get the point). Or shoveling my sidewalk, or something like that.

Completely agree with this. I've actually gone this route many times. I've seen people I know are struggling to make ends meet and have called up the power company and paid their bill for them without ever telling them and never mentioning to anyone that I had done that. I don't like getting credit for stuff like that...just like having the peace of mind that they'll have the lights on. On the other point, I have gone out of my way to teach people how to create and manage their own budgets, etc. It makes more sense to know that someone is learning how to not repeat the same financial mistakes that got them into the mess they were in...assuming it wasn't simply spending it on "hookers & blow."

 

[gunslingerdick]

I have an issue with just giving something (mostly money) away for nothing. Not always, because I do probably more than my fair share of charitable giving (both in terms of time and money), but more when I think it's almost counterproductive. If someone really needed a couple bucks to make ends meet one day, and I knew that the following week they'd have their stuff figured out and back on their feet - I'd definitely be willing to help them out. But when I know that they'll be on the same street corner doing the same begging months from now (and have a sneaky suspicion that the money given will be spent on something less than legal), I'm reluctant to give.

I'd much rather treat it as a "give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a man to fish feed him for a lifetime" type deal. Fortunately I don't have panhandlers near my residence (only near work downtown), but if I did I'd be willing to give them a couple bucks in exchange for some very minor work - like carrying my groceries into my house (minus the fact that I'd be inviting strangers into my house, but you get the point). Or shoveling my sidewalk, or something like that.

I agree with all of that. Because giving them a couple of dollars on the side of the road only reinforces their lifestyle. But, when it's right in front of you and they're toting a child around with them and they truly look hungry and beaten down by their situation, it's hard not to cave.