Fact checking panhandlers

[Playa]

I hate going to Walmart. I really hate going to the "east side Walmart" after dark, but last night required a 10 pm run after a day full of church activities for things my baby girl needed for daycare. Had all my shopping done and realized I left my wallet in the truck. On my way back into the store I'm approached by a gal that gives me a sob story about how nobody will help her and her old man beats on her and she needs money for a bus that leaves at 1 am.

I think it's odd, but have a soft spot in my heart and think maybe God caused me to leave my wallet in my truck that allowed my path to cross with this woman.

Long story short, I fact check her story and pull up the Greyhound website. Yep no scheduled bus departures from Lubbock to San Antonio at 1 am. Actually the bus station isn't even open.

She wasn't real appreciative I checked her story.....got a little belligerent after that. Turns out she had a car in the parking lot, parked right behind me.

[Draco]

Dang, I wish I was that smart. That was a great move on your part.

[Junkers88]

A few years ago I had a lady give me a story about needing some money for food and a ride to a shelter. I hauled her to the shelter and gave her a 20 that I had on hand for emergencies. 15 minutes later I'm headed back down the street from my late evening errand and I see her walking along with an open 12 pack of beer under her arm and a can in her hand. I almost stopped and took the beer.

I don't hand out money to folks I don't know and very very few that I do.

Richard.

[twobanger]

The only ones that get anything from me have to have good cardboard sign game (Had a bad day at work? Don't take it out on your wife or kids. Yell at a homeless person .50/Family kidnapped by ninjas, need money for karate lessons/Not lying, I need a beer) or hold doors open for me at stores that won't let me prop them open.

[HoustonR6ryda]

my latest response is -"I cant take care of you and my family"

[RiverRat1]

If you ever give money then you're just making the problem worse. When I see someone hand them money I get mad thinking..well crap that means he will bug me next time I'm over here. No one give them money and they will go away.

There's PLENTY of places to get help. I do feel sorry for the tiny percent of people who really need help (if that person even exists). I mean every business has a help wanted sign.

[RiverRat1]

I had a guy in San Antonio give me a story at a gas station. He was trying to go to work and was late because his car wouldn't start. I said oh, you need a ride to the bus station or work? Nope... he said. it's a bad battery. ok, where's your car? I have jumper cables. Then the story starts changing LOL He was not a very smart bum.

[dustoffer]

Saw a young male at entry to the WM parking lot sitting with a Whattaburger sack and drink and a McD sack and drink---then when I left, he was holding up a sign reading "Hungry--anything helps"

[Bisch]

The only ones that get anything from me have to have good cardboard sign game (Had a bad day at work? Don't take it out on your wife or kids. Yell at a homeless person .50/Family kidnapped by ninjas, need money for karate lessons/Not lying, I need a beer) or hold doors open for me at stores that won't let me prop them open.

A long time ago there was a woman in Austin at Braker Lane/I35. This lady had one leg amputated way up at the hip. Her sign read "I'm On My Last Leg". She always got a buck or two!



This past Saturday, we stopped at a gas station in Jarrell. When I got out of the car, I noticed a guy sitting on his front bumber at the row of gas pumps next to me. I went in the store and did my business. When I came back out the guy was still sitting on his car. Just as I was getting in my car he says, "Got any spare change for gas?". I was already half in my car, so I said to my wife, "That guy wants to know if you have any spare change for gas!". She reaches in her purse and pulls out a $20 bill. I asked her if she was crazy, and she just rolled her eyes and said "Give it to him!". I handed it to him and he acted like he was going to faint or something. He then went in the store. My wife was going in as I he was coming out. He thanked her profusely, then told her he was getting $10 worth of gas and going to eat in the restaurant next to the store. The guy seemed genuine (not like most of them), so we figured we helped him out. For all I know, he might have gone back in as soon as we left and bought beer???



For the most part, I agree with RiverRat1, that giving these folks money usually just perpetuates the problem, but for some reason, I also get the feeling that this guy really needed and appreciated the help. I usually never give a person on the street money. I give my money to the church and other places where I know it will go towards helping someone.

Bisch

[Hawkpuppy 1]

Call me judgmental, but I never give money to any of them. Sitting all day on a corner is not a productive way of finding a job...

[systemnt]

I had a lady at walmart ask me for $80 once..no sob story...no sign...just straight up tell me she needed $80 and I was to give it to her...
After about 3-5 minutes of me telling her off..and letting her know how hard I work for my money, and what I do to support my family...my wife yanks on my collar and says 'will you just pay the cashier so we can leave?'

[cashcropper]

I will try to help them when I can. It's not up to me to judge them. Maybe I am too lenient but I've been given way more in life than I deserve.

[stickerpatch59]

I had a lady at walmart ask me for $80 once..no sob story...no sign...just straight up tell me she needed $80 and I was to give it to her...
After about 3-5 minutes of me telling her off..and letting her know how hard I work for my money, and what I do to support my family...my wife yanks on my collar and says 'will you just pay the cashier so we can leave?'

good one

[RiverRat1]

I had a lady at walmart ask me for $80 once..no sob story...no sign...just straight up tell me she needed $80 and I was to give it to her...
After about 3-5 minutes of me telling her off..and letting her know how hard I work for my money, and what I do to support my family...my wife yanks on my collar and says 'will you just pay the cashier so we can leave?'

After you pay the cashier at HEB hands you the receipt and says "You saved $17.50 today!" My wife doesn't like it when I say back..No, I'm pretty sure I just spend $147

[91cavgt]

On the corner of Coit and 635 years ago I saw a young guy holding a sign.

"Broke college student, need beer money"

I gave him $5