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Panhandling

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 9:00 pm
by Turkeytop
There was a panhandling thread here but it got lost in the meltdown last fall.

A guy walked up to me in a parking lot today and asked me if i could spare some money for a veteran.

I told him my late father was a WWII veteran. He went through some pretty tough times raising seven kids, but he never once even considered going into panhandling as an occupation

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 9:54 pm
by Deleted User 14896
I don't give money to anyone I don't know. Not somebody panhandling, not the Salvation Army, not the Girl Scouts, not Hurricane relief, none of that stuff. I know enough people personally that need money. Soup kitchens I work at, the church I attend. Someone I know that needs a few pennies.

Having said all that, if you want an easy out when someone is giving you a touch, say you are cashless, just use debit for everything. But I myself just say no.

But I got to tell the story of a bum that tried to hit me up for some money on the Riverwalk in Newport Kentucky. We were standing close to some porta-johns. So I politely said no. He goes off on me, calling me every name in the book, total nut job outburst. So I said back to him in a voice loud enough for others to hear "You want me to buy a blowjob off you in the porta-john while my wife's standing right here?". It was priceless. How I even came up with that at the spur of the moment I have no idea. He stood there for about 2 seconds, then you could see the rage coming up in him, and he started towards me. Fortunately some guys grabbed him and I walked away. I was watching my back until we got back inside though.

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2019 11:52 pm
by Turkeytop
Back at home, a woman asked me for money. She was smoking cigarettes which, in Canada, are about $11 a pack. I told her if she could afford to smoke she didn't need my help. I couldn't afford that habit.

"Can't a person even enjoy a cigarette?" She asked.

I told her "Enjoy it all you want, but not on my dime.

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 12:28 am
by WC8KCY
Mike Oxlong wrote:
Fri Feb 22, 2019 9:54 pm
I don't give money to anyone I don't know. Not somebody panhandling, not the Salvation Army, not the Girl Scouts, not Hurricane relief, none of that stuff. I know enough people personally that need money. Soup kitchens I work at, the church I attend. Someone I know that needs a few pennies.

Having said all that, if you want an easy out when someone is giving you a touch, say you are cashless, just use debit for everything. But I myself just say no.

But I got to tell the story of a bum that tried to hit me up for some money on the Riverwalk in Newport Kentucky. We were standing close to some porta-johns. So I politely said no. He goes off on me, calling me every name in the book, total nut job outburst. So I said back to him in a voice loud enough for others to hear "You want me to buy a blowjob off you in the porta-john while my wife's standing right here?". It was priceless. How I even came up with that at the spur of the moment I have no idea. He stood there for about 2 seconds, then you could see the rage coming up in him, and he started towards me. Fortunately some guys grabbed him and I walked away. I was watching my back until we got back inside though.
That is one of the best posts I've seen in ages! BRAVO!

I usually take holidays in Las Vegas once a year, and it's hard to avoid the panhandlers when walking from casino to casino. I am 6' 3", weigh around 300 lbs, am a Native American male with long braided hair, and purposely dress kinda like a thug so people will leave me alone. And yet, I seem to be the target of every panhandler in view--and I've actually had people ask me to go to panhandlers with their donations because they wanted to but were too scared. What gives?

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 12:53 am
by Turkeytop
You gotta admit, the Vegas panhandlers are creative.. "Need money for drugs." "Need money for hookers." Printed on their signs. I think their angle might really be to have tourists pay them so they can take a pic.

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 10:36 am
by Y M Ionhere
The problem is, so many of them are frauds that im afraid to help any panhandlers. Did anyone see the story a few years ago from Brighton? A man was panhandling in front of the Honda dealership. The dealership offered him a$10/hr job. He said "Hell no! I make more doing this". I also knew a man whose friend begged. The guy was a GM retiree with a pension. All day-on the street, despite getting new Cadillacs every 2 years. Yearly Florida vacations partially funded by peoples generosity. Ive also heard stories of some locals regulars being dropped off a few blocks away in expensive cars.

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 11:11 am
by Turkeytop
When we're in Florida and my wife wants to shop in one of her stores, I take along a small folding stool so I can sit outside while I wait. I either read or do crossword puzzles. I must look sort of disreputable sitting there, because I notice passersby avoiding me and giving me a wide berth as they pass. Once, a lady moved to drop a dollar in front of me. I waved her off and told her I was just waiting for my wife. :lol

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:18 pm
by Deleted User 4520
I've seen panhandlers in downtown Grand Rapids at the midnight hour when you are leaving a concert. First time I've ever experienced that. I hate all these donation things too. Too often stores will ask if you wanna donate so such and such cause when you are checking out or there are people in the store lobby wanting you to donate to this or that. As a customer, I don't wanna be accosted when I'm going in and out of a store or when I'm checking out. If I want to donate it will be of my choosing and to where I donate.

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 10:59 pm
by Deleted User 8570
Turkeytop wrote:
Sat Feb 23, 2019 11:11 am
When we're in Florida and my wife wants to shop in one of her stores, I take along a small folding stool so I can sit outside while I wait. I either read or do crossword puzzles. I must look sort of disreputable sitting there, because I notice passersby avoiding me and giving me a wide berth as they pass. Once, a lady moved to drop a dollar in front of me. I waved her off and told her I was just waiting for my wife. :lol
I think I’d have said “gee thanks” and let her leave the dollar...

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 12:32 am
by Turkeytop
Once, I was going into Pizza Hut to pick up my order. Right next to Pizza Hut, in the same plaza is a shop that does women's
nails. Just as I was getting out of the car, a woman came out of the nail shop and walked up to me.

"This is embarrassing, but I'm from Sarnia - - -"

I cut her off.

"I'd be embarrassed too if I was from Sarnia."

I went in and picked up the pizza. When I came back out she was gone. Probably in getting a nail job.

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 1:18 am
by Deleted User 8570
Turkeytop wrote:
Mon Feb 25, 2019 12:32 am
Once, I was going into Pizza Hut to pick up my order. Right next to Pizza Hut, in the same plaza is a shop that does women's
nails. Just as I was getting out of the car, a woman came out of the nail shop and walked up to me.

"This is embarrassing, but I'm from Sarnia - - -"

I cut her off.

"I'd be embarrassed too if I was from Sarnia."

I went in and picked up the pizza. When I came back out she was gone. Probably in getting a nail job.
Hey... what have you got against sarnians?

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 2:04 am
by stopnswop2
How do you know she even wanted anything too?

That one was rude

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 2:23 am
by Deleted User 8570
stopnswop2 wrote:
Mon Feb 25, 2019 2:04 am
How do you know she even wanted anything too?

That one was rude
Completing her question in my head id guess she was about to ask for directions... bringing up where you are from before asking for money wouldn’t make a lot of sense...

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 8:00 am
by craig11152
Many years ago , somewhere around the early to mid 80's when my 2 oldest daughters weren't even in school yet I walked in to my local IGA (in Ypsilanti) for a few groceries. I was hit up by a young guy who said his car was broken, they were trying to get back to Detroit, and he needed $5 to buy formula for the baby. The baby of course was with momma at the car. Naive sap that I was with 2 young kids, I gave him $5. Two or three days later I was back at the IGA and the same guy was there using the same pitch he did a few days ago. I have no idea if that guy is still alive but he ruined it for every panhandler since as far as me reaching in my pocket to help out.

Re: Panhandling

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 8:05 am
by ZenithCKLW
I once got yelled at by a panhandler in Ann Arbor for not giving him enough money. I gave him everything I had on me- almost a dollar in change. He threw it back at me.