What do you do?

[Texastaxi]

Since we've moved to Houston, I've seen stuff that I normally only saw on TV. 4 out of 5 days, on my way home, there's a "down on their luck" person standing at the same intersection. I call them "down on their luck" because that's the only thing I can truthfully say has got them to where they are.

A few times, I reached for a handful of coins in my cupholder, but before I could get them out, the light turned green and people started honking.

Do you give these people money when you see them at your window?
Do you make eye contact?
Do you roll down your window and talk to them?

I feel bad for them, but honestly I don't know how to handle them so usually I just stare straight ahead and then feel bad when I drive off.

[Gerald S]

You find me a homeless person that is trying to get a job, doesn't smoke, doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs, I'd give them some help. If they don't meet those requirements, they can kiss my ***.

Unfortunately, 30 seconds at a light isn't enough time to figure all that out, and odds are in my favor they don't meet those requirements.

[daveally]

I don't give the street corner people anything. Sometimes I'll see a homeless guy that looks hungry and I'll give him a few bucks. I've even bought a vagrant a combo meal at Whataburger once. But I don't trust the street corner beggars. I've seen specials where they'll get off of 'work' and go down the street and get in their luxury SUV or car and go home. I don't feel that all homeless people are equal. Some can't help the position they're in while others are there of their own fruition or because of drug and alcohol problems. I'm not going to take money away from my family to help those that could help themselves but choose not to.

[TexasAg2002]

Ignore them. They can get help in better places. Instead they make our city look like s@#t!

[muzzlebrake]

Find a safe obscure place to park and watch them for a while. At least until they walk over get into their new 40k SUV and go home for the day.

[BrandonA]

There was a special in Austin several years ago of a couple that begged. They were knocking down over 100k a year.

[cbrown]

Find a safe obscure place to park and watch them for a while. At least until they walk over get into their new 40k SUV and go home for the day.

Investigated a few "Down on their luck" people like that. It's amazing how much money some of them actually make.

[skeeter]

dont feel bad, those guys are makin at least $20 an hour from people who feel bad or sorry for them. I've gave money, bought lunches, offered work. They just want a handout. The guy we offered work to was holding a "will work for food" sign. When asked if he wanted to help tear down and replace a wood fence, he said, "naw, but if ya got a couple of bucks, I'll take that."

I dont do it anymore. The ones that really get me are the ones who drag their kids "to work" with them. Not only is it wrong to play the guilt card with the kids, it's also putting the kids at risk of gettin run over.

I dont mind helpin anybody that is willing to help themselves, but I'll be $@#%& if I'm gonna give my hard earned money, that I WORKED for, to somebody who just wants a hand out.

[IowaHunter]

I tell my kids to ignore them. It's a shame but there's too many "fakes" here in Houston.

[Texastaxi]

I guess I'm more naieve than I thought.

[AggieBall]

few years ago I finally broke down and gave a young lady $5. She was begging me for a few bucks to by her baby some milk. I gave her the $5 drove down the street and watched her go into the corner store. What do you think se came out with???? Anybody???
Yep a tallboy Colt 45.

I should have let it go. However, I drove up on her and called her a low down liar. I told her that she runnied any future handouts to anyone else again. Doubt she cared. But her face showed she knew what a piece of dirt she was.

[ZZ Pops]

Clearly, there are bums out there who just want something for nothing, so I don't give any of them anything. However, I've been told by several reliable sources that most of the homeless on Texas streets have some form of mental illness. Several years ago, the state closed most of the government run mental institutions and simply put their patients out on the streets. Those folks have no work skills and very few social skills and I feel for them. But since I can't tell one from the other, I don't encourage their begging by giving away something that I had to work for.

[DeadlyDiamondShooter]

My daughter used to tell me all the time to give them money!Then I explained to her that I didnt have any extra money for them!It's hard enough to support my family let alone anyone else's!I will give them left over lunch or dinner if I have some or if I have a bottle of water or something like that but I refuse to give them money!Call me hard hearted if you want but in times like these who has extra money to just give away!

[bowhuntntxn]

offer to give them a ride to the nearest food joint, and buy them something from the dollar menu. if they go, then they are truly "down on their luck". If not panhandling is their job. There are actually vans that drop off and pick up folks, and rotate the corners they work. of course this is for a small "transportation" fee.

[Tmag]

I don't give them anything.