Poll of the Day > Homeless man tried to get money out of me.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I had none, and when I said so off he went on his bike.

He started his spiel by extending his hand and saying his name was Fred. I hesitated before shaking it and I imagine the look on my face was not pleasant.

Cool
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Honeymooned in South Africa, the beggars there are relentless. We were told by the people hosting us that giving the beggars anything only encourages them, they're not like American beggars who'll typically leave you alone after you refuse them or pay them. SA beggars keep asking for more. Had one dude holding his hand out against my arm. Followed me for a good block and a half, saying things like "Please, my babies are hungry. Please!"

Was keen to keep an eye on him in case he was a pickpocketer. Felt guilty turning them away, but it is what it is.
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I live in New York City and there isn't even one day where this doesn't happen to me..Usually more than once per day. Just gotta keep moving.
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I picked up skateboarding to avoid homeless people when I'm going somewhere too far to walk and too close to drive.
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FinalFantasyIV posted...

I picked up skateboarding to avoid homeless people when I'm going somewhere too far to walk and too close to drive.

How many homeless people can you jump over on your skateboard?
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Once I started bringing my lunch to work homeless people stopped bugging me. Something about seeing a bagged lunch makes them think you don't have money or something.
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I only give to thw homeless that dont actively try to get anything from me. For example: just sitting there with a sign
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One time I encountered the same homeless lady twice in 2 different areas and she gave me the same bullshit story about someone ditching her and needing money to get home. I told her that she said that to me two weeks ago and she just looked really startled and awkwardly walked off

My favorite in Chicago was this one guy I had to see 2 or three times who was dressed fancy and wearing a suit and making up a story about how is wife was just down the road in their car with their baby and he needed 20 bucks for gas so they could get a move on

He either didn't remember faces that well, because he asked me on 3 or 4 different occasions, or he really needed 20 bucks and no one had given anything to him over the course of a few years so he was still asking

The second one would be a lot funnier

ReggieTheReckless posted...

My favorite in Chicago was this one guy I had to see 2 or three times who was dressed fancy and wearing a suit and making up a story about how is wife was just down the road in their car with their baby and he needed 20 bucks for gas so they could get a move on

He either didn't remember faces that well, because he asked me on 3 or 4 different occasions, or he really needed 20 bucks and no one had given anything to him over the course of a few years so he was still asking

The second one would be a lot funnier

It's really weird but a lot of dudes who obviously have some money try to scam free gas out of people. I had to guy ask me to put money on his pump st the register. I said no but he told me what pump it was and I looked and it was a brand new fucking car

Did he try to turn your spigot?
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If I have any one dollar bills with me I will give them a dollar. Sometimes though I will offer to buy them food or drink and if they refuse that I usually know they want booze or drugs.
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I pull out my wallet and show them the emptyness inside.
They usually leave me alone.

Unless they somehow have a smart phone and a square (portable card reader), they're not getting jack. And id they do have that, they don't need my money.
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yeah well i jumped 100 homeless people on my ska.......

I remember when I was 10 years old we went to Chicago and vividly remember encountering 2 homeless people with my parents.

One was a guy sitting by the side of the road and asked my dad for a dime. My dad ignored him and the guy said "Just a dime, man?" and we left. I have a feeling my dad could have been easily mugged if he didn't have kids with him. It was very dark out and nobody was else was around.

The second was a woman sitting down outside a building with a sign that said "Lost job and house, need help" or something like that and she looked very nice and was dressed very professionally but you could tell she had worn the clothes for a few days straight. I think she was telling the truth.

That's why I appreciate the people who ask for work instead of asking for handouts.

what a cool story, brother, ok?
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ZiggiStardust posted...

what a cool story, brother, ok?

ok

ZiggiStardust posted...

what a cool story, brother, ok?

Ok Hogan.