I did when I first came to Vancouver because I never seen panhandlers before and I thought it was kind of unique but I got tired of doing that so not anymore. I often donate to buskers because at least they are doing something to earn their coins.
I do if they are near the homeless camps. The ones who come out of nowhere in a parkig lot scare me. All I do then, is get to my car quickly. I don't want to get kidnapped or robbed.
This is going to sound awful but I size them up before handing out. Don just goes to the nearest McDs and will buy them a couple burgers. He knows if I catch him buying a Big Mac for himself, he's in serious trouble. It gives him an excuse to go. Grrrr. He thinks he's being sneaky. I'm on to him. ;) For some, if I am going into the store, I will buy extra of what I am already buying and make them a bag full of groceries they can eat and share with their friends. If they have a dog, I am as weak as they come. I buy dogfood and food for them and water. One guy, in Boulder, used to sit in front of Liquor Mart. Just because he was so honest, I gave him 5 bucks and a pint of whiskey and a bottle of water. The 5 bucks so he could have a little pride. I never asked what he spent it on the following day but giving him a little booze and some spending money gave him an option to use it on something other than just booze.
This post was edited by Merlin at June 6, 2019 10:36 AM MDT
No, I don't. Not because I'm opposed to giving money to them, but I'm not all that comfortable being out in public alone and so I avoid as many situations that could make me more uncomfortable as possible.
Not as a general rule. There is a string quartet that plays some days in Grand Central Station and I will give to them because they look to be college age and they are extremely good.
You can give someone money for weed and they will have weed for a day but if teach a person to grow weed they will have weed for the rest of their life. Anyway yes I give money to panhandlers and if I see that they have a dog with them I will go to the store and buy a pack of hotdogs then go give the panhandler a couple of bucks and the hotdogs for their dog. Cheers!
I almost never have change on me, so i cant. but i wouldnt mind giving 2-3$ if i had the change to someone who panhandle , as long as its not for drugs...
we often see the same faces at the metro station , and some look honest.
You see it when its for drugs or not. Some regular faces are often there and they never look high. they look calm and gentle.
Nanoose 