Giving to PanHandlers

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Kimmio, I think that the important thing was that you spoke to the man even though you didn't have anything to give him. You recognized his humanity. I have heard that the worse thing you can do to another person is pretend they aren't there. Many people would rather be sworn at than ignored. Of course they would rather have a kind word. And a bit of change. But I think many would prefer a smile and a few words to a bit of change grudgingly given.

There are times, I must admit, when I walk past. I see several street people everyday I walk to or from anywhere downtown, I feel rushed to get where I'm going and haven't taken the time. Usually, I do stop. A couple of times, walked past one who was abusive toward me, once, someone spat on me as he walked past - but the majority of the time I find street people friendly and open and interesting to talk to. There is one who harasses me for money like a slick car salesman sometimes. We've got a bit of a routine. He is a recovering addict but says he quit using (he has put on weight in the last few years) but he still does his thing - he might make more money than I do - but we have gotten to know each other, and so I stop and chat with him - if I am in a rush I let him know "hey there! I'm running late. Next time." I sometimes have given him money - a bit of change - but when he says, "Could you spare just a little more?" and I haven't got it, I tell him so. With a laugh, "Do I look rich to you? Come on man!" and he laughs back and says, "I know, I know. You're good people." We shake hands.They are human beings...and there but by the Grace of God go I. I am never far from where they are. It may seem that way, but I realize how easily one could end up in the same boat not by choice.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

When I was in my twenties and just moved to the big city - I had gone out with a friend after work. At my bus stop home, I met a backpacker from Montreal, about my age, maybe a few years older, who had missed the hostel curfew. I brought him home with me. He was very friendly, humble, honest and I didn't have a bad vibe from him. I think he asked if I had a cigarette (yeah, I know) and he looked a bit stressed, and so I think I asked him "Hey, what's going on?" and he told me in a very straight forward manner he'd missed the hostel curfew and was stuck and didn't know what to do. I believed him. So, he got on the bus with me. I was living in East Van for the first few months here before I moved west...On the way home I took him for a beer at a pub called, "The Old Montreal". (it was in the same space that is now owned by UCCan and is a an artist's cafe - I just realized that! The space has changed hands a few times.) He didn't put a move on me or anything. He was just kind of fun to talk to. I was a little naive still, then, but I was having the time of my life in some ways.

So he slept on the couch. I slept in my room, nothing happened. But in the morning my roommate was none too pleased that there was a stranger with a backpack on our couch. She gave me a talking to and I never did it again. It could have been dangerous...but it wasn't in this case. I just wanted to help him out and he appreciated it.

 

[ChemGal]

@Seeler I would consider him to be a busker, not a panhandler. To do that legally though, a license is needed in many places.

 

[Seeler]

I don't think he has a license - probably too much trouble and expense for the amount he does. I also think he may get some disability assistance and any 'real' income he earns might have a negative impact.

 

[Lastpointe]

I'm sure there aren't many kids out there saying, "When I grow up I want to beg for a living." There might be a few who don't see any better future.

Actually, du ring summer months in toronto begging on the street or washing car windows is big business. Lots of middle class kids doing it while pretending to need it. Apparently they can make good money, tax free of course.

Which adds to the general confusion about whether some one is truly needy.

There was a woman who sold cards of some sort in downtown toronto, I think they had sayings on them. She lived in her own home in Mississauga .

Just because someone looks the part doesn't mean they are for real.

I think in a big city like ours it is a significant issue.

 

[ChemGal]

@Seeler I would still call him a busker. Just doing it illegally / without a licence, assuming one is needed there.
@Lastpointe Yeah, in some areas it's fairly easy to make a decent amount of money. There are also the scammers, I remember at the LRT it was common for someone to talk about how they lost their pass and needed some change to buy a ticket to get home. If someone actually had a spare ticket (this was done at the university, when we had UPASSes, so uncommon) they took it, but gave a disgusted look and would collect way more than a 2 way fare.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Do you think child abuse and neglect never happens to kids from middle class families? What if the kid's parents live in a beautiful home but they are never there? Or maybe there's abuse in the home. It happens. Sometimes kids are just testing their boundaries or whatever - playing around at panhandling. That is more the exception than the rule.

I see a lot of panhandlers here. I also used to work in advocacy and employment services. And assistance rates and employment opportunities are simulatiously too low. Here, people get their welfare clawed back dollar for dollar for real income 'earned' and the rates, unless it's disability (that's a seperate category - they are allowed to earn a certain amount) are way below even the cost of a regular apartment - hardly enough for a single room in a welfare hotel. So - they wash windows and sell bus tickets

It's a lot of work for street people to simply survive - it's survival mode. They're working. Just not in the workforce. They need help not contempt.

Tired of all the victim blaming going around.

 

[Lastpointe]

I am not blaming victims. I am saying that not all the people you see pan handling are victims. Many are affluent kids doing it for the money then going home to a nice home and good meal

You can disagree all you want but it not uncommon. Wait till you see that " needy " kid pull out his iPhone 5

That doesn't mean there are not needy people, most with mental illness. They live on the street. They are afraid of shelters. They have real issues.

Is the answer giving them money? I don't think it is but I also know that some will not turn to shelters and aid groups for help either.

But just like in any culture and any time, there are con artists who prey on those with soft hearts

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Victim b

I am not blaming victims. I am saying that not all the people you see pan handling are victims. Many are affluent kids doing it for the money then going home to a nice home and good meal

You can disagree all you want but it not uncommon. Wait till you see that " needy " kid pull out his iPhone 5

That doesn't mean there are not needy people, most with mental illness. They live on the street. They are afraid of shelters. They have real issues.

Is the answer giving them money? I don't think it is but I also know that some will not turn to shelters and aid groups for help either.

But just like in any culture and any time, there are con artists who prey on those with soft hearts

What about abused and neglected kids from affluent homes. Maybe they don't want to be at home for good reason. That does happen. I haven't seen any street kids with iPhones. If I did I'd say something. If I do, I will ask about it.

 

[ChemGal]

I don't see this as victim blaming. I think that saying those who panhandle are homeless or at least struggling to buy basic needs is a common, incorrect stereotype. @Lastpointe 's post just seemed to be pointing that out in a factual way, as was mine. There was no blaming.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

If it's not about money (I.e they are provider for financially at parents' home but don't want to be there) it's something other reason that needs help. I don't see middle class kids panhandle where I am, though.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Chemgal- your post was more matter of fact. LPs came across as a judgment call on who these kids are and why they're there. We don't necessarily know they're from 'good' homes just because they're middle class.

 

[Seeler]

I keep hearing stories about panhandlers who are millionaires; I tend to think of them as urban legends. I've heard that big city panhandlers who worked at it full time in excellent sites who make good money each day. Most that I've had contact with, and I believe the vast majority, only average a few dollars an hour, if that.
As for the cell phone - yes. Many of the people coming to our church for handouts have cell phones. For the homeless, and those who move frequently (inadequate housing; poor money management), a cell phone makes more sense than a land line. And they need a phone to apply for jobs, keep track of their kids, keep in touch with their parole officer, social worker, friends, sponsor.

 

[ChemGal]

As for the cell phone - yes. Many of the people coming to our church for handouts have cell phones. For the homeless, and those who move frequently (inadequate housing; poor money management), a cell phone makes more sense than a land line. And they need a phone to apply for jobs, keep track of their kids, keep in touch with their parole officer, social worker, friends, sponsor.

A cell phone sure. The latest iPhone? That starts to make less sense.

I try not to judge when I don't know. I hear people complain that they are broke, etc. though and they are constantly upgrading. Those plans are also expensive. I'm doing fine with my 5+ year old non-smart flip phone, that costs under $30/month.

 

[Jaebius]

A cell phone sure. The latest iPhone? That starts to make less sense.

I try not to judge when I don't know. I hear people complain that they are broke, etc. though and they are constantly upgrading. Those plans are also expensive. I'm doing fine with my 5+ year old non-smart flip phone, that costs under $30/month.

It's an odd choice. My newer - smart phone also costs me under $30/month.

 

[ChemGal]

It's an odd choice. My newer - smart phone also costs me under $30/month.

Really?
I haven't gone out seeking much, but I've never come across anything for less than $50/month for a smart phone. I haven't heard of any pay as you go plans for them either. I do ask what the lowest monthly plan I can get whenever I get calls from Bell, trying to get me to switch over to the smart phones.

 

[Jaebius]

Really?
I haven't gone out seeking much, but I've never come across anything for less than $50/month for a smart phone. I haven't heard of any pay as you go plans for them either. I do ask what the lowest monthly plan I can get whenever I get calls from Bell, trying to get me to switch over to the smart phones.

I have a $29/month tab from WIND. I got it as a student special. My phone is an HTC 8S.

 

[ChemGal]

I have a $29/month tab from WIND. I got it as a student special. My phone is an HTC 8S.

Is that with tax?
It's been a while since I've gotten a call, now they just text so I was expecting them to be a bit cheaper, but didn't think there would be something out there that good.
I'll have to check them out when I'm ready to make the switch.

 

[Jaebius]

Is that with tax?
It's been a while since I've gotten a call, now they just text so I was expecting them to be a bit cheaper, but didn't think there would be something out there that good.
I'll have to check them out when I'm ready to make the switch.

That isn't with tax.

 

[ChemGal]

Still good for a smart phone plan!
I'm usually under $30/month with everything, taxes, long distance (Chemguy's cell phone isn't an Edmonton number).