Among Friends

[panda1234]

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@KathyM23 wrote:

I have given money to panhandlers.  I just use my intuition about who I want to give to.  I have seen young men who look like they should be able to work and I don't give it them.  I want to tell them there are plenty of jobs they could get.  Probably they can't pass the drug test maybe.  Anyway I am sure I have given money to some who is just going to use it for alcohol or drugs, but I guess I think whatever gets you thru the night.  But I look at some and think I have a warm home to go back to and plenty of food to eat and I give to those my heart tells me to.  There is one older man I see who has a white dog with him.  I always give to him.  He is a Vietnam vet and I know has some help but I am sure it is not enough.

@spumoni99   I wouldn't believe the insulin story either, but I may have given her money - like I said it just depends on how they strike me.

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@KathyM23 My daughter was in a behavioral health facility which also did drug and alcohol rehab. In one of the group therapy sessions a young man, in for rehab, was telling the group he panhandles and on a good day can make over $400. So no I never give money. If you think about it the people who truly need it are too proud to ask. 

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@aubnwa01 wrote:

Not sure about where you live, but around here Walmart doesn't allow folks to panhandle in their parking lots & has someone come out & send them on their way.  Since Sam's Club is owned by Walmart, they may have the same policies for their warehouses.

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Costco is the same way.

[Imaoldhippie]

@spumoni99 ................When some one approaches me with a story like that (baby needs diapers, etc, etc).  I tell them we will go in the store and I will buy the item for you.  I have never had one take me up on the offer.

[gidgetgh]

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@VancouverUSAgal wrote:

I almost never carry any cash. I use my debit card for everything. Maybe there's something I'm not thinking of, but what kind of emergency would require paying only in cash? I'm 73 and have never encountered anything that did. 

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@spumoni99 - your car breaks down. Or you get a flat tire.  You call AAA or a tow truck. They come in the pouring rain and change your tire.  Maybe you'd like to give them a tip for doing that.  That one possibility came quickly to mind.

It is holiday time and you're going in a store and the Salvation Army is outside and you'd like to put a donation in the kettle.

I have some workers coming to my house this morning to do some work for me. Tips for them if I choose.

I stopped using my debit card totally several years ago and haven't regretted it. I always have cash with me.

[Pook]

Not hard hearted at all!  I never give to panhandlers.  Can't imagine that anyone cannot find an agency to help if really needed and these agencies (salvation army, red cross, welfare office, churches, etc)  can tell them where to go for specific help!   Pharmacies can provide help for prescriptions.  My SO has a great prescription plan and the pharmisist even told him how he could get his expensive meds cheaper and submitted them for him.

[Rockycoast]

No, you are not hard hearted, you were smart not to give her money. I don’t buy the insulin story either. Trust your instincts. You did the right thing.

[riley1]

Panhandlers are big in the parking lots where I am. They ask for gas money, had a house fire, etc. I really dislike when they follow a person right to their car. 

I never give money to them nor would I ever take out my wallet. 

At one point, one woman was making me so uneasy I went into the store and told them I would not shop there if they didn't do something about her. I guess she has moved on as I have not seen her lately.

[qualitygal]

That was not hard hearted on your part.  I would think any parent who has a child who is in need of insulin, would take the kid to emergency for a shot, before they go into shock.  I would guess there's a way for those who need insulin and can't pay, to get it another way.  I don't know.  But that's a real medical thing and I think a hospital would help.

[qualitygal]

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@drizzellla wrote:

I would have given her money. I guess I learned it from my Mom. She would always be giving money to panhandlers and the like.

I think that the few dollars that I give will help them in some small way. And I will not miss the money. And so what if it is a scam. It will not hurt me. If people are begging I will give.

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@drizzellla Bless you.  Angel unawares.

[teganslaw]

I wouldn't have given her anything. The story sounds fake. Insulin is probably expensive, so if you gave her money, it wouldn't have covered the cost, anyway. 

What's so surprising about people not carrying cash? Emergencies can happen, but most of the time cash isn't needed. People carrying money can be targets for robberies.