Is it right to give money to beggars?

[Saucycarpdog]

Before you post, hear me out first.

I've heard countless people discuss this. Is giving money to a beggar right? Some say you should, while others say you should give them something different like food, while a few say you shouldn't give anything at all to and let them try to get it themselves.

I myself have given money to beggars, but only certain ones. It is a common myth that some beggars are actually people who are just looking for some spare money using human sympathy.

What is your guys opinions? Should you give money to beggars? If you do, when? Are there certain beggars you should avoid?

[sub]P.S Let's keep this discussion clean.[/sub]

 

[DefunctTheory]

Here's the fun thing: Offer a beggar a meal at a nearby restaurant. Somewhere in the 20 dollar range.

He will not go for it, 9 out of 10 times, and will instead ask for cash. Even if it's only a dollar.

Why? Most beggars are either scam artist, or alcoholics/addicts. Not all, but most. They don't want a sandwich, they want vice.

Try it some time. It blew my mind when my dad showed me.

 

[RingaFiar]

Yes I've given money to beggars....no it doesn't give a warm glow inside because you know you're not going to address the underlying problem of why they are begging.

But if it buys them something to eat, or a beer or whatever really, then it's fair enough.

 

[RingaFiar]

Here's the fun thing: Offer a beggar a meal at a nearby restaurant. Somewhere in the 20 dollar range.

He will not go for it, 9 out of 10 times, and will instead ask for cash. Even if it's only a dollar.

Why? Most beggars are either scam artist, or alcoholics/addicts. Not all, but most. They don't want a sandwich, they want vice.

Try it some time. It blew my mind when my dad showed me.

Perhaps it's chicken and egg Accursed....all I look at is here and now, they are on the streets. Yeah a couple of quid might buy them a Sandwich (tbh almost certainly a drink or something stronger), either way they are not doing too well to be in that position.

 

[Mariner]

I don't give money to random people because I don't know what they are even going to do with it.

Also Kreia taught me well.

 

[Kakashi on crack]

Well, it depends really. For the most part no, but it depends on your definition of begging/panhandling. For instance, a bicyclist near our school got a flat tire, and was panhandling for 75 cents to refill the tire.

I experience panhandlers on a daily basis because my school is downtown. Really for the most part you can figure out which ones need the money and which ones don't based off of how they act and where they are in regards to the school's location.

 

[RingaFiar]

Well, it depends really. For the most part no, but it depends on your definition of begging/panhandling. For instance, a bicyclist near our school got a flat tire, and was panhandling for 75 cents to refill the tire.

I experience panhandlers on a daily basis because my school is downtown. Really for the most part you can figure out which ones need the money and which ones don't based off of how they act and where they are in regards to the school's location.

I laughed when i read that, panhandler isn't a term in the UK but there was a culture of "aggressive begging" a few years ago.
Someone coming up to your face and asking for money, basically intimidating passers by to give up cash.

A politician came up with the quote at the time..."There's a difference between begging and mugging" which sums it up. If you feel threatened in any way it's the latter

 

[RingaFiar]

Funny how I've never seen a street beggar outside the US, innit?

Come to lovely England

 

[lobster1077]

Funny how I've never seen a street beggar outside the US, innit?

Really? As far as I knew there's poverty in every society even the supposed utopia of America.

 

[Plurralbles]

my college campus has 10 of htem per mile. I dont' give them anything.

Am I in the right? Well, depends on your perspective. I think I'm neither. The college and society set it up that I dont' have any change on me. Ever.

 

[dyre]

I donate to charities rather than individuals, but I see nothing wrong with giving money to beggars.

Funny how I've never seen a street beggar outside the US, innit?

They were a pretty common sight in Beijing, but I think the government cracked down on them.

There was also a disturbingly high number of crippled beggars...

 

[Wapox]

I often give money to people who ask me for a few coins... if I have any that is, no bills, or they'll get greedy.. a few coins is ok, that's what I give street musicians as well, I love a good begging performance, and if it turns out the guy is actually poor, lucky him!

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

I usually buy them food instead of giving them money.

And many homeless people suffer from severe mental disabilities, and are unable to work. It's not always their fault.

Besides, you can let them learn 'the value of hard work' later, when they're not starving.

 

[Plurralbles]

It is a common myth that some beggars are actually people who are just looking for some spare money using human sympathy.

Your conclusion that its a myth is incorrect. While not every beggar is riding the system, some certainly are. A newspaper by me did a little "follow the beggar" exposee a few years back (and this is the LEFT wing paper in town) and found an astounding number of people milking.

For example, they found teenagers that they tracked into malls/restaurants after the day where they changed from grubby clothing into name brand stuff before heading home for the night.

The best was a woman that they witnessed getting into a $60,000 car each night. As an experiment they went into the store she was in front of, bought her a $500 winter coat (is was well below 0C that day and she had on ratty spring stuff) and as soon as they were "out of sight" they caught her stuffing the new coat into the nearest garbage can. When they finally confronted the woman it turned out she was quite well off and did this "for fun".

The majority of people on the street of course have mental health issues. Others are just in really bad times. But there are enough scammers out there that I wouldn't give most beggars a penny. I'd rather just give to charities that provide meals and beds for the homeless.

Funny how I've never seen a street beggar outside the US, innit?

I have. You might need to travel more.

Also many countries arrest people for begging so that keeps it down.

Washington DC, United States is notorious for thbese, "Professional beggers"

They makle more than most people with a 9 to 5.

 

[RingaFiar]

my college campus has 10 of htem per mile. I dont' give them anything.

Am I in the right? Well, depends on your perspective. I think I'm neither. The college and society set it up that I dont' have any change on me. Ever.

Strange thing to say, is it that bad? Do you mind me asking where abouts you are? It sounds like the classic case of poverty right next to opulence luxury, you know like in India during the Raj.