Extremely polite panhandlers???

[TamThompson]

We seem to have a growing phenomenon here in Austin of extremely polite panhandlers, all of whom will ask you for fifty cents. Every time I'm approached, I say, curtly, "No."

But I wonder why the low-ball plea for only 50 cents? Are they hoping people will give more? And what's with, "Excuse me, ma'am, but would you happen to have fifty cents on you?" Are they using panhandling as an excuse to case me for a potential robbery?

 

[Declaration Day]

I don't appreciate being approached for money any more than you do. Atleast they're being polite and upfront with you.

When I was younger we used to go to the casinos and bars in Downtown Detroit. Often, while walking from place to place, a homeless man would approach us and start talking as if we have been best friends for years. They didn't ask for money outright, rather they'd pester us and hope we got the message.

One caught us coming out of the MGM Grand casino and asked how well we did there. I told him I had lost all of my money, which was not true but it made him go away.

Another was sitting on a bench as we passed by and said "You'll help me if you believe in God." I told him "If you believed in Him, you'd help yourself."

If a homeless person wants money from me, I'd rather they just get to the point. They'd have a much higher chance of getting it.

 

[spacemanspiff]

there was a group of homeless drunks that would hang around the bank across the way from my office. they'd hold the door open and behave like smelly gentlemen hoping for spare change.
no one gave them anything though. so they moved on. btw, they were only 2nd cousins of mine so i felt no need to help them out.

i recall a buddy of mine gave some bum a dollar, and when the bum saw he had more dollars in his wallet, asked for more. after being told 'No thats all you get', the bum cussed him out.

point being, there is no such thing as a polite panhandler, least not up here.

 

[XD40Assassin]

I guess the first question you gotta ask yourself is how did they become a panhandler?

 

[thorn726]

the politeness may even have to do with new laws, or that someone is enforcing the law.
many areas have laws against "aggressive panhandling" .
in Santa Cruz, they can only use signs that ask for change, they cant say anything.

there are laws also against asknig for money near atms, i get really mad if i am asked near one.

some people also have just maybe learned it is the best way to actually get a little change, be polite, ask for a small amount.

you are not being cased for a mugging, at least i REAlly doubt it.
Austin is also the Berkeley of the south, we ahve a lot of people bouncing between here and there, it is known as a "sort of almost cool town in TX" to most hippy types, people who are from their claim it's a hip place. so you will have more homeless people who are just plain dirty hippies without jobs, and other homeless using their tactics.

**the angry crackhead panhandler never wanted to panhandle, he was forced into it by his own stupidity, and hates it but must get that rock.
the hippy type just doesnt care about a roof and is generally happy with whatever people can spare. so they can be friendly, and then of course crackheads can see this tactic in use and copy it, but the point is the people who are so nice about panhandling, especially in a city like Austin, i would call it you have more homeless by choice rather than by drugs, and they are less angry.

 

[Moondoggie]

My personal belief is that most homeless folks are mentally ill...addicted, or whatever blend of other diagnosis applies in each individual case. In just about any major city in the US there's all kinds of help for these folks, so they don't have to starve unless they choose to...of course, some of their mental illness is so severe that they avoid any form of social interaction if at all possible...even the "soup line".

I lived in Yuma, AZ for 12 yrs and there was quite a large population of homeless folks due to the weather and a favorable enviornment. There were frequent local news articles about this, and the "experts" postulated that the panhandlers were the druggies and whatever money you gave them was gonna go toward their next high of choice. There were 2 "missions" in our town of 80,000 that supported about 250 of these folks full-time. I've always looked it from the standpoint that if these folks have their act together enough to get off their heinie and go out seeking money from strangers, then they're capable of holding some kind of job and earning their own keep.

My nominee for the academy award was the guy standing on the traffic island with a sign that read "Why lie? I need a beer!" He was doing really well.

 

[Declaration Day]

there are laws also against asking for money near atms, i get really mad if i am asked near one.

There is absolutely no excuse to approach someone at an ATM. This happened to me twice at the same ATM about two years ago. Both times I hit the cancel button, grabbed my card and sped off.

Was I being set up for a mugging? I don't know. I'd rather drive to the next nearest bank than find out.

Fortunately for the beggars, I am a CCW holder who is calm and level-headed. They might not be so lucky next time they approach someone at a cash machine.

Geez, you'd have to be brain dead to not know that approaching people at ATMs is a bad idea.

 

[GEM]

Tam, did you do Insights' SVT class? Karl's run it. Teaches you how to handle this type of interaction.

 

[boohsdad]

My policy is not to give to panhandlers, However last week one man said to me could I spare some change and he was not going to lie to me. I really need a drink he said. He was rewarded for being honest.

 

[shermacman]

I give enough money every payday to bums.

One time I was with my son walking through Harvard Square. A mangy bum approached with outstretched cup and asked: "Spare change?"

I replied: "No thanks, I have plenty!" My son still talks about that one.

 

[TamThompson]

GEM,
No, but I did take Insight's Unarmed Defense Against Weapons and the 2-day Defensive Rifle class.

What did they teach about panhandlers in SVT?

 

[fb]

This state really tightened its welfare laws and regulations awhile back. It also closed a great many mental clinics. Instead of mental wards they are put up in cheap hotels ect. It is sad to see these people steal and rob each other, and worse. Most are allcies and drugies, many are retarded. Hell, I would help them if I could, but you cant help them all. In fact I dont know what would help them, certinly not money.

 

[GEM]

Tam, the class discusses awareness to avoid such encounters and strategies to deal with them. Basically polite firmness and continued movement are the keys. More exciting options are discussed if necessary. OC, verbalizations from strength, etc.

 

[Cool Hand Luke 22:36]

But I wonder why the low-ball plea for only 50 cents? Are they hoping people will give more? And what's with, "Excuse me, ma'am, but would you happen to have fifty cents on you?" Are they using panhandling as an excuse to case me for a potential robbery?

Perhaps they really are down on their luck and are somewhat chagrinned to have to ask for a handout untill they can get another job and become self-supporting. And I am Elvis.

 

[c_yeager]

My experience is that everything a panhandler does in the process of panhandling is aimed at getting as much money as possible. If they are being nice and polite it is because they are hoping that someone will give them more money because they are sick of the aggressive panhandlers.

 

[NHBB]

aggressive panhandling is the worst, when I went on a vacation to puerto rico a few years back... they had all sorts of winning lines. the one I remember the most was a couple of young punks that came up to me when I was visiting a tourist area and says "I have AIDS can I have some change?" immediately after receiving a firm response from me, it was onto the next shakedown when they saw the camera in my front pocket and tried haggling for a cigarette thinking I was lying to them that I didn't have any (I don't smoke) and pointing at my pocket. a few more not so friendly words from me to show I meant business about being left alone, and they stalked off to find their next victim.

 

[gunsmith]

they're a big pain in the neck

but here in SF most are harmless,I've told them "no" and had them threaten
me...then I'ved introduced them to my little friend "pepper spray"

 

[Coltdriver]

Here in Denver the homeless have been largely crowded out by professional beggars. They sit at intersections with anything from perfectly printed signs to crudely printed signs. They declare that they are homeless, hungry and willing to work. Anything helps. But most of them do it for a living. There is one fellow that I have observed at the same intersection for 18 months. He pretends to limp up and down the rows of cars. But I have seen him jump off his bicycle and run across the road to get to his beggin spot.

Figure that one thousand cars easily start and stop there all day. If one out of ten gives him a dollar thats an easy mornings work. $2000 tax free dollars a month will take a fellow with modest aspirations as far as he needs to go.

There was one gal who had a sign saying she was stranded, single mom and diabetic. I saw her eating a big candy bar one morning. She wears better clothes than I can afford. Very nice new ski wear. I have seen her at three different intersections miles apart over the course of the last year.

The only thing more pathetic than these shameless bums is the idiots who give them money!

 

[junke]

here in north idaho Nature has a way of thinning out those who dont have the desire to fend for them selves.

 

[Greybeard]

Daughter lives north of UT. Often rides the bus to campus/internship downtown. She said 50 cents is the standard bus fare. And that she often sees some of the same panhandlers on the bus consistently. Going "to work".

 

[JohnBT]

We've had polite beggars for years. Oops, I said beggars.

About the only time they're aren't polite is when they ask for money for food and you offer to take them across the street to a burger joint and buy them something.

John

 

[duckslayer]

In Dallas a few years ago, I was stuck in traffic and watched as a panhandler whose sign said something about needing money for food got into the passenger seat of a brand new Cadillac as his panhandling friend, who was dressed similarly in rags, came to pick him up and got out to help load all his props into the trunk of the car.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

they'd hold the door open and behave like smelly gentlemen hoping for spare change.

Yeah, there's a couple of guys who'd work the same thing in Grand Central Terminal. They always got a polite "Thank You" from me.

One guy did little dance, though, with a big smile on his face. He got a couple of coins. Gimme a show and you might get something. They should work for their money, same as the rest of us.

 

[Byron Quick]

About the only time they're aren't polite is when they ask for money for food and you offer to take them across the street to a burger joint and buy them something.

Yes, that's been my experience. Picked up a couple of Kentucky Fried Chicken dinners and held them out the window as the poor, down and out, starving folks with the sign approached. Was promptly cursed soundly and with great outrage.

As far as the robbery or mugging goes...most of the panhandlers that I've seen would not fare well as freelance socialists. They've generally abused their bodies to the point that little old ladies could hurt them. When you choose drugs over meals on a regular basis for years...your get up and go has got up and gone. Weapons? Most of the ones I've seen would trade anything they owned for a bottle or a rock.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Why 50 cents?

It's easier for a person to reach into their pocket for change than to go into a purse or wallet, so success is more likely. Also, many people don't think of pocket change as money.