Homeless People

Mikhail · **Posted:** May 6th, 2008, 8:40 pm

So I'm in the heart of Chicago this week and I'm actually noticing a lot of homeless people, but I was talking with my friend last night about giving money to homeless people. I'm personally of the opinion that giving money to the homeless just encourages them to remain homeless. I think giving them a sandwich, or a new pair of shoes is far more beneficial.

Does giving the homeless money just encourage their drug habits and alcoholism?

So answer the question what do you think? Any opinions anything?

Adbot · **Posted:** May 6th, 2008, 8:40 pm

hummerwar921 · **Posted:** May 6th, 2008, 8:45 pm

Yes, it is better to give them food and stuff like that.

There are people who will hang out like a few blocks away from a bar, and walk up to you asking for money. It happened to me.

Unbirthday · **Posted:** May 6th, 2008, 8:47 pm

Homeless people make bank! In my state anyways.
Last year there was a situation on the news where this really rich corporate guy would, after work, park his car a couple blocks away from his building then go back and sit on the corner of his offices. Of course he'd *dress up* or *dress down* and look like a homeless person before sitting out.
But anyways, I guess someone just followed him while he was walking back to his car one night and turned him in.

He said he was just trying to make some extra money, but somehow he got into a lot of trouble for it. I'm not sure why. . .

Never give homeless people money. especially the ones you call your friends! or shane, because he's rich now!

trekkie · **Posted:** May 6th, 2008, 11:32 pm

yeah sometimes it is better to just give them food but you know not all homeless are drug addicts. but honestly, unless you're willing to hire and train a homeless guy to do a job they will always be there.

CreepyPirate · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 3:11 am

Don't give them any money at all, tend to avoid eye contact and walk right by. But uh yeah, don't ever give them money. Ever.

Donate it to some charity for the homeless if you really want to help them.

Yazackie90 · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 5:02 am

CreepyPirate wrote:

Don't give them any money at all, tend to avoid eye contact and walk right by. But uh yeah, don't ever give them money. Ever.

Donate it to some charity for the homeless if you really want to help them.

Exactly. Soup kitchens are where I would donate to.

Adbot · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 5:02 am

Mushroom Queen · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 1:45 pm

It depends where you are, really. I've been to third world countries where I'm pretty sure that the beggars there actually are starving and do need money for a meal. It's really up to you to make that distinction. But since you can never really be sure, donate (or volunteer) at a soup kitchen or give money to charity. I used to volunteer for the German Red Cross when I was in college and it was a really good feeling to help people out.

addiv · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 3:26 pm

I just wish they'd quit claiming to be war veterans. They can't ALL be veterans.

Mikhail · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 4:15 pm

The main story from me is, a few days ago, I was going to the subway to get home from school, and there is a bum following me Can I have change? repeating it all over and over, He followed me for 4 blocks, until I finally gave in and threw a quarter at him. But that guy didn't look like a bum to me, Some nice almost new Nike's paint stained pants, but his hair wasn't greasy, so what I am thinking that one was some kind of addict or something...If a bum follows you run away, or at least carry some pepper spray.

CreepyPirate · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 4:46 pm

Mikhail wrote:

The main story from me is, a few days ago, I was going to the subway to get home from school, and there is a bum following me Can I have change? repeating it all over and over, He followed me for 4 blocks, until I finally gave in and threw a quarter at him. But that guy didn't look like a bum to me, Some nice almost new Nike's paint stained pants, but his hair wasn't greasy, so what I am thinking that one was some kind of addict or something...If a bum follows you run away, or at least carry some pepper spray.

Where i live, there used to be this guy, at first i thought he was an illegal immigrant that wasn't based on his colour really, more his dress sense. :oops:

Anyways every day I'd walk by the bank on my way to college and everyday this guy would be there, everyday he'd run up to me "ALRIGHT MATE! GOT A POUND I CAN HAVE??" he'd try shaking my hand, chatting with me, anything to get it. XD

It wasn't just me either, he was there on the way back, entire day this guy would be there asking for a pound off people. Several times I'd seen the police warning him.

So i was walking home one time with some friends and this guy i was walking with apparently knew all about him. The guy isn't homeless - Like I'd thought he was, he actually lives in a nice house, hes got a family and everything hell he actually has his own myspace. XD

So what does he do if he gets a pound? Oddly he walks up the road, puts it in a slot machine, plays as much as he can and then gets right back to the begging. Hes not poor, I'm not sure if he has a job or not but i see no reason why he couldn't if he wanted.

Hes now banned from the highstreet, the government actually banned him from going there, he can be arrested if he steps foot on it. XD Because he was harrasing people.

So whys he do it? No bloody idea, I'd call him a nutter. Perhaps the same goes for the guy that followed you. XD

Dokter Bob · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 10:04 pm

I'd get them something they can put to use, instead of buying drugs and alchohol.
Something like a cheap instrument, so they can *Attempt* to learn it, and make some money off of it. I dunno, I see it loads of times, and they get a fortune....Or at least what a homeless person considers a fortune.

Mikhail · **Posted:** May 7th, 2008, 10:14 pm

Hell, I've seen some of them begging for 20,25,50 dollars! And creepy why he followed me, because I didn't give him any change so he followed me until I gave in, I am not having some bum following me for 8 blocks, Its a nutter.

Red Spear1 · **Posted:** May 8th, 2008, 1:58 pm

CreepyPirate wrote:

Don't give them any money at all, tend to avoid eye contact and walk right by. But uh yeah, don't ever give them money. Ever.

Donate it to some charity for the homeless if you really want to help them.

Agree.

Give the money to a charity for homeless people who know how to use it.

That way you know, for SURE, that it won't fuel drugs or alcoholism.

LordZeno · **Posted:** May 11th, 2008, 2:44 pm

Homeless people are nothing but lazy bums.

If they want food, they need to earn, sitting there starring at you like a dog will not help.

Even if they can't get a job they could still ask to moe people's lawns or just plain out help people instead of always acting like savages.

CreepyPirate · **Posted:** May 11th, 2008, 4:26 pm

LordZeno wrote:

Homeless people are nothing but lazy bums.

If they want food, they need to earn, sitting there starring at you like a dog will not help.

Even if they can't get a job they could still ask to moe people's lawns or just plain out help people instead of always acting like savages.

No one, absolutely no one is going to be so lazy that they'd rather sleep on the street than do something productive. Most are out there because they've got themselves in a bad situation and theres no way out.

I wouldn't higher a bum to mow my lawn and i doubt many others would either. Most people avoid them and once you're homeless and sleeping on the street, good luck getting a job interview, hell good luck getting a chance at anything.