Most of the time I assume, and sometimes wrongly, that the people I encounter on the street
begging for money are only going to use it for drinking or drugs....I know there are some who really need food and shelter. I've given people scarfs and gloves in the past and was sometimes turned down. I've also offered people my lunch and sometimes they refuse it. So in spite of the fact my heart goes out to these people (there but for the grace of god, go i), I rarely give money to them.
The other day I was walking back to my office and I saw a young man sitting on the sidewalk with a sign in front of him that said: "Why lie, I need a beer". I gave him a few bucks, if only for his creativity.
begging for money are only going to use it for drinking or drugs....I know there are some who really need food and shelter. I've given people scarfs and gloves in the past and was sometimes turned down. I've also offered people my lunch and sometimes they refuse it. So in spite of the fact my heart goes out to these people (there but for the grace of god, go i), I rarely give money to them.The other day I was walking back to my office and I saw a young man sitting on the sidewalk with a sign in front of him that said: "Why lie, I need a beer". I gave him a few bucks, if only for his creativity.
(Sometimes its hard for me to think of things I'm grateful about. Today I'm grateful that I have a roof over my head and food on my table.)
Peace
13 comments:
I know exactly what you mean. I refuse to give out money but I'll happily give or buy food.
Yeah, if a homeless person turns down food or warm clothing, I really gotta wonder what's up.
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." ~Thornton Wilder
Cheers Odat, and Happy Thanksgiving...
Those are probably some of the most important things to be thankful for, next to family and friends of course. Oh yeah, and smoked meats. Definitely gotta be thankful for smoked meats ;-)
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh, the things we take for granted. Happy Thanksgiving, odat!
I am thankful I am not wearing a sign asking for beer and tha tmy fridge has plenty! Happy Thanksgiving and Peace Odat!
Some days it's hard. but you're still alive and that means that there's always hope! Happy Thanksgiving.
LOL @ his sign 'Why Lie? I Want Beer' I would have thrown him a twenty!
There is a bum up by my work & I have heard many folks complain that he is always asking for money and/or cigarettes. Funny thing is, the only thing he has ever asked me for is a kitchen table....? He wants one that wont melt. LOL. So for Xmas, my DH & I are going to make him one out of scrap countertop. 'Tis the season!
I used to give apples to the homeless people. One of them threw it back at me. Bastard.
growing up, my mom would often say, "most people are one missing pay check from being homeless". Of course back then, it meant nothing.
But now, as an independant, responsible adult, damn do I ever get it now.
Peace and love
I've seen that sign, too, and while I appreciate the honesty, I also have come to believe that most of the panhandlers are really drunks or druggies.
My husband is incapable of passing one without givng him something. Today while stuck in traffic, he scooped up all the quarters I keep on the console for parking meters and gave them to a guy who reeked of booze. I bit my tongue.
My feelings about this make me ashamed of myself, but I have also had offers of food and warm clothing rejected by those who wanted a drink more. Call me mean, but I now refuse to contribute to anyone's sirrhosis or dt's.
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