Encounter with a panhandler.....

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Each situation is different. You can't go about your life with Ayoobs 21' foot exclusion circle around you, and I'm sure he doesn't either.

One time the shoe was on the other foot and I had to aproach an individual with two small kids at dusk in an almost deserted marina has they were stepping out of their boat. The houseboat I had rented 30 miles away developed a problem and there were no tools aboard, the fuel dock was closed and the place was deserted. I asked the guy if he happened to have a couple of wrenches so I could tighten the alternator belt on the engine. He reaches in the boat, hands me the whole tool box, says "just put it back when you're done" and walks away with his kids.
 
Helping out the less fortunate is truly a blessing. And we can not always tell who is legit and who is not. Always be prepared to defend yourself, but be kind to others. Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Arrell
 
Yes, we must help the needy. Absolutely. And it usually takes just a few seconds to discern whether the beggar is needy or a scammer. The attitude of the scammer and the attitude of the needy are usually very different.

Offer food, assistance, shelter, ... anything but money, and their reaction will make it clear.

"Mah car broke down..."
"Show me your car."
 
In Chicago, you either wise up fast, or you better carry alot of spare change.

Most of the beggars here are actually quite harmless if you IGNORE them! The regulars are easy to spot, since they seem to occupy the same piece of real estate on a day-to-day basis. One of the regulars is a guy with a mangy dog. He (the dog) gets huge sympathy from many female office workers who pour money into the beggar's cup (to supposedly buy the dog food). Ironically, the dog is nothing but a beggar's "prop", as I've seen the guy litterally drag the dog down the street by its collar. Then you have the countless "Vietnam Vets", amputees, wheelchair laden, "homeless", and talentless guitar players, etc.

The more creative beggars look just like someone's mother. These inconspicuous con artists come up to you on the street in a motherly fashion and tell you some sad story about losing their purse or something and how they need train money to get home. I've even seen an old woman who'd flash you her droopy old tits for a dollar.

My SOP is to completely IGNORE ALL OF THEM! Don't even make eye contact, don't even say a word, just IGNORE them COMPLETELY! If they get in your way, you simply step around them.

Many newbies to the big City graciously give money to these beggars. I won't even give them a look.
 
Recently, while visiting Memphis, I was approached by a panhandler asking if I had any quarters. The dude actually had a paper roll of quarters and was trying to fill it.

I responded "No, man, do you? I could use some help" He looked kind of startled and quickly walked away.

I also enjoy the panhandlers at intersections and off-ramps. May I suggest keeping a selection of washers in your ashtray. If they ask for change, chuck some washers in their can and let out the clutch. It's a real crowd pleaser.
 
I like Mr. Donath's "I come in war; flee while you can." Hehe. Priceless!

This happens to me in the urban area where I work on a weekly basis. Sometimes daily. First, before I tell you how I handle it, and someone rails about how mean I am, just let me say that I am one of Bush's thousand points of light, 'kay ;)

I usually have people approach me on the sidewalk coming back from lunch around midday. I've been getting it for years and just don't waste time with it anymore.
When they walk up and say, "Excuse me," I simply say "sure, no problem, have a good one" and keep walking.

When they say, "Hey bro/bud/brother/partner/friend/chief/cap'n/
dude/ or sir," I say "Hi!" and keep on walking.

When they say, "Can I talk at you a minute?" I say, "No thanks. Have a nice day!" and keep walking.

When they stick out their hand, I nod, step around them while saying "Howdy!" and keep on walking.

Basically, I just keep on walking. They're usually so startled by my enthusiastic greetings, even though I don't slow down for em, that it takes em a second to realize they've been brushed off. They rarely even pay me another second's worth of time.
 
I, too, like ctdonath's "I come in war, flee while you can". I'm going to have to replace that with what I've been using lately. I need to inject some more humor into these ever present situations.

I don't what the deal is, but some of the bums around my parts are getting more aggressive. Even after giving a distinct "no" without eye contact, there seems to be more persistance these last few months. So, I'm getting sick of it and I've resorted to saying things like, "Watch your distance" or even "Get the f%&k away from me!" on rare occasions.

I certainly don't want to piss anyone off, but I'm getting tired of being approached (sometimes accosted) when I go out for lunch or errands. I NEVER, EVER give money because I don't support drug and alcOhol habits. Period! I've done the lecture thing, like, "Hey, you want some money, I just saw a 'now hiring' sign at _________." (they *love* that one)

I've offered to give them what they asked for (purpose of the money), i.e. food, a doll for their hospitalized daughter, brake fluid and even extended an offer to take them to my place of business to pull weeds for money and 99.93% of the time they walk away disgusted.

If any of you feel "guilty" or think you are not being a good "christian" for turning away bums, don't. You can feel good about yourself by donating food to shelters or give to numerous charities that help people without giving your hard earned $$ to drug habits.

Anyway, keep on your toes and don't let them enter into your "space" because you never know how desperate someone like that can be.

Just my rant for a Monday, thanks for listening fellow TFLers.
 
If there is a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, then you do what you can to get out of that situation. Ad if worst came to worst, and you had to pull your pistol out, then thats what you have to do. Its good that you didnt, but it would be OK if you did.
 
I believe it was D.L. Moody who kept a pil of logs and a cross cut saw near his office. He would take beggers to it and offer to compensate them for their labor. I don't think many lasted too long. He had to keep an eye on them to make sure they did not take off with the saw. One has to be decerning. I can remember having to leave my family on I-70 in Kansas one late night because I ran out of gas. The gauge was messed up. I was a few miles from a gas station in the cold lonely Flint Hills. After walking and running for a ways, a luxury car pulls along side and the guys inside offer a ride. What a blessing.

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Alexander Solzhenitzyn:
"Freedom is given to the human conditionally, in the assumption of his constant religious responsibility."

[This message has been edited by Keiller TN (edited July 03, 2000).]
 
Well, the first thing about those weird street walker types is that they are extremly unpredictible, and that no trust should be given at any time.

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"Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property...Horrid mischief would ensue were the law abiding deprived the use of them" --Thomas Paine, 1775

www.2ndamdlvr.homestead.com/home.html
 
Arrell, you're wrong. No where in the Bible does it say anything about giving money to lazy people. Panhandlers who are of sound body are only needy of a good spanking by their mother, and a beating by their father. I give food to older families in the country who have always been poor but have worked hard. I work hard every day...I don't do it to support a bum who lies around all day. I work while he lies around, and he gets paid by me to do it? NO WAY ON EARTH!!!
 
I know this makes some people uncomfortable and it may or may not be the best course of action, but it works for me.

Whenever confronted by "urban outdoorsman" I give them a good, long, hard stare. They usually leave you alone after that. Same goes with creepy characters of all kinds. If they're suspiciously following me or hanging about, a good "what the hell do you want" stare does the trick.

I know some of you will think this is bad advice as it might just incite the lunatic fringe. Well, *F* it. If there's gonna be a rumble, it may as well be at the time and place of my choosing. If they're looking for easy pickins', and they usually are, letting them know you are aware of them and not afraid disuades them.
 
Yes, it's good to give to the needy, but you don't need to put yourself in a dangerous situation to do so. There is a difference between the needy and the dangerous. Also, I don't think you overreacted at all. You were there, if the guy gave you the creeps, it was probably justified, especially the "I come in peace" line.
A few months ago, I was driving back from Calfornia. Just me, my three-year old son, and my dog.
I thought I was being cautious enough, becuase I took my revolver, kept it loaded and right next me in the car the entire time. Also, my dog is a 72-lb. pit bull, who usually scares creeps away just by wagging his tail at them.
Whenever I got out of the car late at night, the gun went with me.
Well, one time I got careless (read "stoopid").
I was at a very well-lit, busy gas station. Got out w/o the gun, started cleaning the front windshield. Just as I get around to the passenger side (doors are locked), this homeless guy and woman come up to me asking me if I'm going north, and could they please have a ride?
I was in the worst spot I could possible be w/o my gun. These people gave me the CREEPS! Did they honestly think a woman travelling alone with her baby was going to give them a ride? I doubt it.
Anyway, I told them no, I was going south (lie) and walked around the car the other way to get to the driver's side. They left, but boy was I MAD at myself!
Thanks for posting that. The only thing I'd do differently (in your situation) is not walk out to my car until I saw where the guy was going (hindsight, though). This reminds me to be more careful because you never know where the creeps might pop out at you!
 
Whoa, Frontsight,
I didn't say anything about helping out the lazy. Read my post again. There are some people in my town, not really panhandlers, mostly mentally deficient, who I will help out on ocassion. Food, Clothes, Shoes...I will sometimes give money, not usually. I don't give winos money, I might buy them a hot dog and a soda though. I remember the story of the old, stinky poorly dressed man on the steps of one of the local churches in my area. It was Sunday morning and the congrigants were going in. All were stepping around the old man. When every body was seated and the choir started the opening hymn, the Pastor stepped to the pulpit to start the service. The preacher was dressed as the stinky, bedraggled old man. He chastised the people for not helping the old man. I think a certain ammount of charity is in order. Sure there are sociopaths out there, be prepared for that.
Arrell
 
JimR,

Yep, it *was* Peachtree Center. That's the first time I've been approached *inside* the mall..., though I have had beggars walk up on me, while I was trying to eat and read the paper, in street-side restaurants like Kentucky Fried and Burger King.

That seems to be a relatively new tact, in my experience. They want to befriend you, get you "involved" in their story.. not asking for money for several minutes.

And the guy at Peachtree Center tried the religion ploy, as well.., asking me if I was "a god-fearing man", and if I go to church, and all that.

Bugs the hell out of me!

Happily...., though I HATE the 100 mile roundtrip drive each day..., I don't have to deal with such people up near Gainesville, where I live.
 
When I get panhandled and I am with one of my friends, my favorite way to get rid of the beggars is to pointedly ignore them while seeming to continue carrying on a conversation about guns, loud enough for the beggar to hear us. (Given DC's strict rules, I never carry there, so I should never have any problem with false charges of carrying/brandishing/threatening, and anyway, what cop would believe one of these skels.)

Usually they turn tail and RUN away, with nothing more than a mention about how much I like my friends Siq 226 pistol, or how much he likes one of my rifles. My favorite reaction was one of these guys that suddenly got VERY quiet and pulled off the biologically unlikely feat of turning white as a ghost.

I like to think of this as turning the tables on them. They use surprise and intimidation against us and I like to return verbal fire. They are usually smart enough to understand that they should not continue bothering someone that carries on a firearms discussion loudly in public.
 
Here in NY the best reply is NO or GO AWAY.
I believe that beggars are a lot like geese.
If one goose lands in a pond and is fed, in no time there's hundreds of them, they won't leave, and they crap all over to the point where nobody wants to go to the pond.
I once had some huge skeeze say "I'll be taking that" while pointing at a camcorder. I said "Will you be wanting this too?" and I produced a .45 with my free hand. He turned around and walked away, repeating "You have a good night" over and over.
 
I was at a gas station, outside waiting on my son to come out when this black man crosses a 4 lane street to come over to me. Needless to say, he tripped my mental alarm system from 30 yards away. I had my .357 snub behind my right hip, concealed by a t-shirt, so I turned my left side slightly toward him and slid my right hand back to where the pistol was.

He says, "Hey big man, lemme hold a dollar!"

I cracked up...told him to go find his own dollar.
 
When I was much younger, braver, dumber, etc.; and violent crime was not as common as it is today, I frequently made it a point to look worse than the common panhandlers whenever I had to go into a less than safe section of town. Most people made it a point to avoid me and the few that approached me asking for a dollar or two, I replied with ... "Gee buddy, I was about to ask you the same thing." ;)
 
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