On the other hand, if you give money, you should do it with the full realization that you are enabling and encouraging begging. You are promoting a lifestyle that is generally a problem for everyone involved.

I do find it somewhat humorous to see a statement like “Don’t play their game” when referring to giving money to habitual beggers, but then stating in the next paragraph that it’s ok to give money to someone who’s dirty or tired. Guess what? Looking dirty or tired is their game. If you fall for that ploy, you’re just as much of a sucker as the guy who gives money to a well-dressed kid.

Begging is a job for many of these folks. Looking dirty and tired is their uniform. Many of them make solid middle-class wages (free of tax, I might add…) from it. Often they’re making more than the people giving them money.

i don’t give to folk out on da street, because i saw a woman with 10 worker kids after a long day of pandhandling get in her mercedes (sans kiddies) and drive away. i don’t give to folk out on da street, because i saw 5 folk standing outside a starbucks askin for $$ and when they had enough, they went into that starbucks and ordered themselves 5 froko mocha chinos at $5 a piece.

i don’t give to folk out on da street, because if they are able bodied folk just like me, then they can get a freakin job washing dishes because that is what i had to do for so many freakin years.

the best panhandlers are in san fran where they have signs readin “no more lies, yes i’m gonna buy booze and drugs with the money”. at least they are being honest, but it is has gotten so gimmicky i can’t take it seriously so i don’t give them no $$$.

my principle if one must give, old ladies and cripples (oh sorry, can’t say that in the u.s…the physically challenged).