Ask Lemmy

If I'm entering a place that has food of any kind I'll just ask what they want, I've rarely been asked for something that exceeds $5-10. More often than not they eat, pack up their stuff and leave after that. They feel acknowledged, I feel good for helping and I also hopefully didn't contribute to the drug issue.

I almost never have cash or even change now, so that's what I tell them. I used to give them some money if I had it and wasn't immediately going to use it. One of my old friends used to give them a beer out of a pack he bought if there was a person outside the store or on the corner begging on the drive to wherever he was going.

Sometimes I give, sometimes I don't, kinda depends if I have cash.

As a reasonably sized man, I also try to make eye contact and give a polite "Sorry I don't have anything today." For those who really need the help and are trying like hell to get it, I can't imagine the insult to injury you must feel to not only not get help but also to be treated as though you are invisible. I like to at least let people who ask know that I can see them.

If you're in a legitimately dangerous place or you feel you may be at risk in some way maybe don't do this though.

I give them some money

I live in a big city of an decently big country. Here we got many of them particularly around large train stations. I never give to them any money. Reason is - this country has a safety system in order to help people in need like this. If homeless people go against the rules (crime, drugs, abuse of the system) they get kicked out of the shelters. They get help with all sorts of things there and if they really are in dire situation and want to get back to normal life, they would get all necessary help they ever need and more. If they got kicked out, I believe they didn't really wanted to get back their normal life. And in some cases, I see just youth smoking weed on the side of the street and begging for money. They are not in need, they have families and homes. They just collect money for weed. Fuck those guys, really.

I give money to street performers all the time. This brings life and color to the city.

I once experienced , in my 22. I gave out about 10 dol , then got keeping asked (i was too shy to reject!) so at last i gave out 50 dol, all what i took from school my college. bad grammar sry

"Sorry"

Ignore them.

Someone isn't entitled to your money. Just say no and move on. Don't specify. They aren't entitled to know if you have money on your person. They aren't entitled to know if you can or can't spare it. One word no. No and move on with your day. No isn't sending them to prison camps. No isn't voting against benefits that ensure people at least get fed if not sheltered. Say no even if you DO donate to charities that help people. 50 50 that person is living off begging until he's got enough to buy the next hit or the next bottle.

I usually don't give money, but once a year give 100€ or so to our local homeless support organization, who are also regularly giving out meals and coffee.

I don't really carry cash due to devaluation of currency in my country(our biggest banknote can buy 1 kg of chicken as a reference) but I typically carry some biscuits with me, so I'd offer it.

I live in Seattle and have this happen all the time. The answer is "sorry, I don't have any cash on me."

I once had someone ask if I could venmo them some money, and once had someone ask if I had bitcoin. Crazy world.

I tell them the truth: I don't carry cash.

I haven’t carried cash for several years, so I just say, “I don’t carry money.”

There have been instances where I’ve bought a person something to eat, but that’s about it. There’s really nothing more I can do to help a person.

Then I may try to recommend any community services I know of, but they’re usually more informed about those than I am.

I just say "sorry, I haven't". I think as long as you just try to acknowledge them in a good way, i.e. smiling, maintaining eye contact, being polite, so you still acknowledge them as the human being that they are.

Sure it's bad to lie, but so is being insensitive with the truth, whether it's "I wanna spend the money on myself" or "there are more effective ways to make a difference than giving money to you"

Depends on if they are playing me out. I've hung out and drank or smoked weed with homeless people if they were authentic. If not they can fuck off and their evil can bring them suffering.

The same goes with anyone else, mainstream or street.

i gave them once, only realized they were lying about thier injury, never again. i just dont have money, but some homeless people can be aggressive/passive aggressive if you dont give them money.

Peacefully coexisting is the hope imo. Just leave people alone, offer help if you can, otherwise wish them well.

Anyone harassing either has drug or mental issues, not much you can do but limit interactions.

Sound like asylums may be returning, so that will probably be horrible.

If you don't have the means to help with what they're asking for, a quick "Sorry, can't help today" and going about your business is they way to go. It's not a full on engagement, but it is an acknowledgement.

Back when I was a smoker, if I didn't have means to help with cash but had some smokes to spare and a little time I'd say "No, but if you smoke I can share one with you" and, if they were into it, stop and chat for a cigarette break's length of time. Lots of factors to consider here before doing that, but for the most part people enjoyed the acknowledgement for a few minutes. YMMV.

Call in the national guard apparently.

If I know, I‘ll probably pass someone asking for money, I try to have some change prepared, so I don’t have to get out my wallet. (Where I live, there are just a few places where that’s likely. ) I usually just say no if unprepared. My basic assumption is that someone asking for money in the streets is worse off than me, so it’s nice if I can help. But then again, if I don’t feel safe, I won’t give anything and since I can’t help everyone I don’t feel bad not giving anything.

Ignore them.

My city has the programs in place for them to get off the street. All they need to do is go into a program that will get them off drugs and to not use drugs in the provided apartments.

As such, if they are on the street, it is because they value drugs over living.

Usually im with my kids, why would you ask a parent with kids for money? Any money I have is for the kids

It's not honest but effective:

Make and maintain eye contact from at least 20 feet away, when you're close enough to be heard: ask them if they have any spare change.

Its not like you can say “oh no, I donate to services that help the needy” because that person isn’t necessarily being helped by that.

I had a friend say exactly that to someone. When I asked them further about it, they said, "he knows where to find a cot." That was more convincing to me before I listened to the "According to Need," Podcast. It looked at homelessness in the Bay Area (where we live) and getting a bed is nearly impossible.

I don't usually give money cause I rarely carry small bills. But sometimes. And I will without fail buy food for anyone who asks.

I never carry cash on me, not even small change, so I tell them honestly that I have nothing to give.

Instead, I donate regularly to local charities (my employer even manages one) and have volunteered time for outreach programs when I am able. Addressing the acute needs of a single person might make you feel good, but the data shows that it's more effective to address homelessness at a systemic level.

Give them some cash, if I have a little extra. I recommend carrying a little change if you live in an area with regular homeless folks.

I used to bring a particular homeless guy who hung around my block a sandwich on my way to work, and a beer when walking my dog on Friday nights (if I saw him, for either occurrence). That was all when I lived in a different city though.