| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TarTar |
Posted - 07/14/2004 : 23:00:01
Tonight, as I was walking out of the bar to my car, this woman approached me and said "Excuse me." Now I've had this woman approach me a few times before, and she always gives some sob story about her woes and hardships, and she's quite convincing since she doesn't seem as homeless as some bums and has a calm and composed voice. But I wasn't gonna hear the damn story again, I know she's full of shit. So after she said "excuse me," I just kept walking and said, "I can't help you. I have nothing. Just one dollar." And that's the truth. She calls after me, "I just want to know what time it is!" And I say, "Oh, about 1:30."
When I get to my car, it occurs to me that this bitch is trying to get me to feel bad for assuming that she wanted money. She is black, so that made me feel like she was trying to say I was prejudice for stereotyping her. I shouldn't have let her trickery to get out of seeming like a bum get to me. But it actually affected me, cuz I thought to myself, "What if that isn't the same woman? It was dark out, hard to see clearly." But I'm positive it was the sob story woman. In fact, I know it was cuz of her voice and height. Still, what if that's really all she needed, the time? Tough for her. I guess it's the boy who cried wolf situation.
But still, this woman certainly is manipulative, made me feel bad for basically telling her to fuck off with her lies.
"You can FUCK OFF!!! Cuz I'm workin' sixty a week"
|
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| realmeanmotorscutor |
Posted - 07/30/2004 : 18:17:37
my mistake - the billboard thing was in San Fran or somewhere methinks.
 |
| TameReg |
Posted - 07/30/2004 : 14:18:45
I wouldn't be opposed to buying someone food. My wife and I have given money to a local homeless man with a dog a couple times. But I don't mind because this guy never asks for money. He doesn't even speak to people, he just goes his own way. I really don't know what billboard you're talking about, what I saw was a little flyer on a bulletin board. I live in Pittsburgh, so there's not many tourists. And I don't expect people to think it was a "sign" from God. I thought it was just a cool little story. I do believe in God too. But I don't want to start thinking every little thing I see is a "sign". The point of the story was that I wrestled with this issue quite a lot. I want to help people too, but I sometimes doubt just handing over money is the best thing. But hey, maybe I'm wrong. |
| n/a |
Posted - 07/30/2004 : 10:36:29
If you don't feel like giving these guys money, buy them a sandwich and a coffee and a tin of food for their little scabby dogs. One with a ring pull of course.
Frank Black ate my Hamster
|
| realmeanmotorscutor |
Posted - 07/30/2004 : 10:30:43
I understand being guarded against a scam, but there are more young homeless people than old (20 and under) and to call it easy money is just off the mark. Aso, that billboard was part of a much hated campaign by the government to drive homeless out and away from tourists - where do they go? Somewhere else is all; it doesn't solve anything. It was hardly a "sign" from God.
|
| TameReg |
Posted - 07/30/2004 : 09:42:21
quote:
Originally posted by realmeanmotorscutor
quote:
Originally posted by TameReg
I can't help but think
"these guys could get a job if they wanted". Maybe there's this thrill of scamming people, I don't know. I rather just give money to a good charity.
Do people even consider the circumstances leading up to homelessness? So many people think it's so easy to change!
These guys I'm talking about here are very young. I doubt they are even homeless. I think they're just young guys looking for easy money. As far as real homeless people, yeah, I believe it's hard for them to change. But I'm still not sure you should give them money either. If enough people give them money, why change? And, for the record, I have given people money in the past, even since my little incident. But if I think I'm being scammed, I'm not going to feel guilty about saying no. |
| realmeanmotorscutor |
Posted - 07/29/2004 : 09:37:34
quote:
Originally posted by TameReg
I can't help but think
"these guys could get a job if they wanted". Maybe there's this thrill of scamming people, I don't know. I rather just give money to a good charity.
Do people even consider the circumstances leading up to homelessness? So many people think it's so easy to change!
|
| VoVat |
Posted - 07/28/2004 : 22:20:10
quote:
After I said this to myself, I look at a bulletin board in the doorway I ducked into, and there is a flyer there, stating how you shouldn't give money to homeless people, that you're really not helping, and just making the problem worse, etc...
Just like feeding the ducks, isn't it?
Cattle in Korea / They can really moo. |
| fumanbru |
Posted - 07/28/2004 : 21:02:54
in winnipeg we have squeegy kids. these "homeless" people make some good coin washing peoples windshields at streetlights. at first i thought it was a creative way to get some money but now it's just annoying. if they took it a step further they could get a job at a gas station, but then they wouldn't make as much money.
 "I joined the Cult of Frank/ and I got a free t-shirt with this dude on it." |
| TameReg |
Posted - 07/28/2004 : 20:51:43
Here's my "strange but true" bum story:
I'm walking down the street and I see a couple guys up ahead begging people for money. Now, at the time I had been debating with myself over what the right thing to do in these situations was. The part of me that felt bad for them, was debating with the part of me that felt like a sucker. So I duck into a doorway and I actually said to myself "God, Please tell me what the right thing to do is"! After I said this to myself, I look at a bulletin board in the doorway I ducked into, and there is a flyer there, stating how you shouldn't give money to homeless people, that you're really not helping, and just making the problem worse, etc... Now, I'm sure most of you(especially the atheists) would say it was just a coincidence, but since that day, I haven't felt guilty about not giving them money.
On a side note, lately a lot of these guys begging are awfully young. I mean, I'm seeing guys in their earlier twenties, who look pretty healthy asking for money. I can't help but think
"these guys could get a job if they wanted". Maybe there's this thrill of scamming people, I don't know. I rather just give money to a good charity. |
| VoVat |
Posted - 07/19/2004 : 18:43:45
In an ideal society, there wouldn't be any homeless people. I doubt anyone WANTS to be homeless. It's a societal and economic problem.
Cattle in Korea / They can really moo. |
| mun chien andalusia |
Posted - 07/19/2004 : 03:50:39
i always pass some coin to the beggars. who cares what they do with the money. the fact is that i am privileged and they are not and i don't feel morally authorized to preach about finding a job or quit drinking. it's their life after all. feel free to give or not to give them your money but the whole "they deserve it" attitude just makes me sick.
 join the cult of errol\and you can have a beer\without having to quit smoking
|
| Minky303 |
Posted - 07/19/2004 : 03:14:29
I heard a stat that something like 60-70% of homeless are schizophrenic. Mentally ill have it much harder than the physically ill that get more sympathy/tax dollars. Unfortunate..
It sounds hokey but my perspective on the homeless changed after volunteering in a homeless shelter -- a lady was crying and hugging me thanking me for what I did (granted, not much) - she had just got a job and an apartment thru the shelter and was plum giddy.
So perhaps when you hand money out there may be happy consequences. Or maybe more people should give directly to shelters I don't know.
Saw a sign recently I liked : "jobs not jails" |
| Opaque |
Posted - 07/19/2004 : 02:53:34
quote:
Originally posted by ObfuscateByWill
Don't care if they're running some con.
I always give 'em a couple of bucks.
Would rather see these people helping themselves, but when it's February and the shelters are full they've gotta find relief someplace.
And I would have rather read that than pretty much anything else I have read today... compassion is a noble trait. It has become scarce in this day and age. *hugs* to you.
"My primitive words match my primitive heart..." - Mercury Rev |
| darwin |
Posted - 07/19/2004 : 00:29:05
quote:
Originally posted by ProverbialCereal
This is really cruel... but I've always wanted to keep a bunch of job applications for Starbucks and McDonalds in my car to hand out to those same traffic-jam homeless people that irritate me.
Just quit a cult / going through withdrawal
Do you really want them making your half-caf soy frappo mocha?
Last time I gave money was to some couple in Santa Barbara whose car had broken down and they needed to buy bus tickets to San Luis Obispo or something. Very clean and believable. Then in the next couple of weeks I saw them several times walking around downtown Santa Barbara. Made me feel like a chump. |
| ObfuscateByWill |
Posted - 07/19/2004 : 00:25:21
Don't care if they're running some con.
I always give 'em a couple of bucks.
-
I don't come across many homeless where I live, but I do volunteer in shelters/kitchens quite a bit.
I know that probably %60 of the money I hand over is headed straight for some drug-dealer or liquor store-owner. Doesn't fucking matter.
Would rather see these people helping themselves, but when it's February and the shelters are full they've gotta find relief someplace.
-
Kinda sucks that people feel they should be entertained by the homeless.
*Shka-pow! You're Dead! |
| Opaque |
Posted - 07/18/2004 : 23:43:24
I dunno... I guess I am a sucker for a hard luck story. Depending on the story. The more unexpected the tale, I think the more likely I am to hand over cash. I don't know why. And it seems that I am a magnet for the bizarre of the bizarre when it comes to folks trying to bum cash.
Some people really are extremely cursed in their luck. Then there are the charlatans of the world. I suppose some days it's hard to tell the difference.
"My primitive words match my primitive heart..." - Mercury Rev |
| The King Of Karaoke |
Posted - 07/18/2004 : 22:38:01
I still don't give them money very often though. I used to but... now I don't.
My mom spent her entire life partying. End result? Fucked up.
-------------------------------------
http://www.geocities.com/j_vaughn/bigfoot.html
Have you looked into the eye's of a RankStranger?
If you have you will never forget that moment!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/
|
| The King Of Karaoke |
Posted - 07/18/2004 : 22:34:28
My previous post was for humor but on a serious/ very personal note:
My mom was homeless for a couple of years after Reagan decided she was miraculously cured of her schizophrenia in the late eighties. Reagan released many mentally ill people from institutions in the late eighties and many ended up on the streets.
-------------------------------------
http://www.geocities.com/j_vaughn/bigfoot.html
Have you looked into the eye's of a RankStranger?
If you have you will never forget that moment!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/
|
| VoVat |
Posted - 07/18/2004 : 09:10:10
Yeah, I'd think begging would be harder than working, unless your job REALLY sucks. People who are good at scamming others might prefer to do it, though. Either that or they get infomercials late at night. I mean, Don Lapre is essentially just a glorified beggar, isn't he?
Cattle in Korea / They can really moo. |
| gracie |
Posted - 07/18/2004 : 04:26:23
I mostly give them money just because i feel like such a shit if i don't. Its just a way of easing my guilt. Even though i shouldn't really feel guilty, i still do i'm such a mug.
I know alot of them spent it on drugs or drink but i figure i give them money in good faith, what they do with it is up to them. I do get pissed with the beggers who have homes, money etc, although i find it hard to believe that people would beg if they didn't have to.I couldn't do it, i'd rather steal. |
| bumblebeeboy2 |
Posted - 07/18/2004 : 03:08:57
i remember my first time in london, i was quite young, prob 16 or something, was walking towards the astoria, well just wandering as i was too early for the gig (an afternoon gig)... some homeless guy says 'excuse me' so i automatically say 'sorry mate, no money' then he replies (looking quite upset) 'i just want to chat to someone, i don't want any money' - so being a nice lad, i say yeah sure, i've got a little while. so i sit down with him and chat for about 5 - 10 mins, seems fair enough, we talk about what i do, and he tells me a bit about how he became homeless and stuff, then he asks if i can spare some change so he can get into a hostel or something. so i say "sorry mate, like i said, i've got no change" so then he starts saying we could go to a cashpoint and then get some change some place, and how he only needs however much, so i was like "look i said i'd chat to you but i'm not giving you any money" so he then storms off swearing and shouting all kinds of abuse at me. lovely.
And it's hard to be a human being, and it's harder as anything else, and I'm lonesome when you're around, and I'm never lonesome when I'm by myself, and I miss you when you're around. |
| betty |
Posted - 07/18/2004 : 02:54:14
i feel for, and help when i can, the mentally ill homeless.
also, i was furloughed (laid off) from my job flying for a while. i'm one of those people who has worked since jr high, sadly, and never gone more than a week or two without finding a job when i needed one. let me tell you, this economy thing is no bullshit. i applied endlessly everywhere, and never even got an interview. over a month. not one. the frustration was surprising and intense. when i finally did find a job, waitressing, it was only because my best friend worked at the restaurant and called me moments after the other waiter quit.
in short, i know first hand that it is not only the lazy who fall into hard times.
warm wishes and fond regards,
betty |
| TarTar |
Posted - 07/17/2004 : 15:02:57
apl4eris, is that a socially acceptable way to derail a topic? by putting it in parenthesis? cool. but still, how dare you stray from the point!!! haha. I kid you. c'mon apl, you know you can derail my topics anytime.
Dean Ween, shortly before Brando died: "He's played Vito Corelone, Colonel Kurtz, and Stanley Kowalski all in one lifetime. What have you done?" |
| The King Of Karaoke |
Posted - 07/17/2004 : 10:17:28
Nice to hear (from one of my favorites) 
-------------------------------------
http://www.geocities.com/j_vaughn/bigfoot.html
Have you looked into the eye's of a RankStranger?
If you have you will never forget that moment!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/
|
| apl4eris |
Posted - 07/17/2004 : 10:05:39
(sure is nice to see ya again, KoK -I guess Cheney didn't send his henchmen for your head after all  ) |
| The King Of Karaoke |
Posted - 07/17/2004 : 09:42:42
Well, here we are talking about homeless people.
And we all know what I think about homeless people.
I think, they're people... And they have no homes.
-------------------------------------
http://www.geocities.com/j_vaughn/bigfoot.html
Have you looked into the eye's of a RankStranger?
If you have you will never forget that moment!
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/ |
| SpudBoy |
Posted - 07/17/2004 : 09:01:59
quote:
Originally posted by Monsieur
I always give money to bums before my exams/job inteviews/dates. I want God to be on my side.
I became ordained as a minister to cover that. And a pope. Just in case.
Edit: next page demands quoting.
*festoon* |
| Monsieur |
Posted - 07/16/2004 : 06:39:19
I always give money to bums before my exams/job inteviews/dates. I want God to be on my side. |
| SpudBoy |
Posted - 07/16/2004 : 06:32:07
When I was 17, in a parking lot of a convenient store with a friend, a bum stuck his head in our car window with a story about having a flat and needing 8 more dollars for a tire, and how his little girl was in the car blah blah blah.
My friend looks over at him and says "Man, you had a flat *last* week."
This guy reels back, and goes "So? Maybe I got another one!"
Then I told him he was a fuckhead for abandoning his daughter like that, and any crazy motherfucker might snatch her so he better get back to the car, wherever it is. He had me going for a second though.
*festoon* |
| benji |
Posted - 07/16/2004 : 01:38:50
there used to be this classic homeless couple who lived outside the train station near where i lived.
every day they would play out the same domestic incident resulting in the women pleading for money so she could use the phone to call a hostel cause she was leaving her husband for good...this time.
but the best thing was once i saw them again about 30mins after their 'play' and i saw them both using mobile phones.
made me laugh.
 Join the Cult of Cartman! Respect my Authoritaah!!! |
| realmeanmotorscutor |
Posted - 07/15/2004 : 21:31:01
Last year, at my sister's dance recital downtown, this woman came up to us crying and pleading for some money. She said she hadn't eaten for days and she just wanted to get some food because it hurt so much. See, I always try to help people even though I know that they might be lying but my mother is a hard as nails bitch and doesn't like to help anyone. Anyway, I say I'll go get her some food while my mother is telling me I'm a fool. The woman complains that I'm not going to come back and my mother says of course I will and then the woman cuts her crying bit, fed up with how long it has taken to weasel money out of us and realizing that all she'll get is food, and she walks away. She goes to the next group of people with the same story, word for word, and the same phony crying.
At this year's dance recital we see the same woman from our car window giving some guy the same old song and dance. She took him for a dollar. I hate when my ho mother is right and I hate being lied to. I want to help people and will still assume people are honest and in need of help (real help, not drugs or alcohol) but it burns my ass that people like that make others skeptical of people asking for help.
|
| SpudBoy |
Posted - 07/15/2004 : 20:43:24
Indeed it is. That is current unemployment benefit enrollment. When people slide off the other end (benefits stop) they go into a statistical black hole. The key data is workforce size and GDP. Both of these have been in the shitter since march of 2000, along with the NASDAQ. The bell curve might start angling upward in three years or so, but only if we can reverse the trade and budget deficits and maintain or improve our currency rate against the Yen, Euro, and the Pound. If we hit 2 pounds sterling to the dollar by year end, '05 is not going to be pretty. Mark my words.
That said, a lot of homeless shelters in the US provide residence qualification for employment, and soup kitchen food isn't bad (at least in the southern states). The people asking for money are a) crazy or retarded or b) grifters (or both). I have argued with homeless people about how they "have their dignity" so they won't go to a shelter, then sit on the street and beg for money. I have gotten along very well with some of the homeless guys around the Chicago Board of Trade (except crazy mary - she'll squeeze yer nads. real hard.) Gave some old thermals to one guy in particular who was trying to make a comeback, had lunch with him once or twice.
Regarding the 20 below weather, Chicago is overrun, even in winter. Personally, I'd move south by boxcar.
*festoon* |
| VoVat |
Posted - 07/15/2004 : 19:32:04
Did I SAY the economy was good during the Clinton administration?
I've heard it WAS better, actually, but I don't know the numbers, and there were still a lot of people without jobs.
Besides, unless I'm mistaken, the whole "unemployment level" thing is very misleading.
Cattle in Korea / They can really moo. |
| pfeffa |
Posted - 07/15/2004 : 18:53:56
quote:
Originally posted by VoVat
[quote]Plenty of statistics will tell you that.
And??? They are...where? The unemployment level is the same or better than when Clinton was in office, 6%.
What I meant about 'widgets' is that there are jobs if people don't mind learning new skills. I don't expect to do what I'm doing forever.
Frank's band is better than your band. Sing it. |
| floop |
Posted - 07/15/2004 : 18:28:15
quote:
Originally posted by Tre
You need a place of permenant residence to get a job,
did you know that in the US you can claim "nomadic" residence and don't have to pay taxes.
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
