Never again - Page 4

software · ‎06-08-2016

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
@software wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
Maybe he was going to shake your hand. I might have been annoyed but under the circumstances, there was no danger or threat. It's not like he made grab for your handbag. You folded the money and I don't do that. When I worked in town and gave to pandhandlers, they usually had cups or buckets but if not, I didn't fold the money. I smoothed it out and handed it to them to avoid skin on skin contact.
There is no way I could KNOW I was in no danger.
He could have shoved me in a vehicle or knocked me down.
Once he had me by the hand, he was in control, even only for a brief moment.

@software

It's best to never assume that the person is harmless, just because they come across that way.

There are ways of extracting yourself if someone grabs you by the hand.

I have taken many self-defense classes and have learned to use my body as a weapon if need be.

I think every woman should learn basic self-defense.

You never know when you might need it.

I'm glad that you are okay, and are only shaken up.

It could have easily gone south.

I do know basic self defense.

I also conceal carry and I have a couple of other weapons on me at all times.

But I've never been tested IRL, and thank goodness for that.

We don't really know how we will react in a real situation.

You can train and train, practice & practice but anything can happen.

I started this thread because the incident disturbed me.

Yes, I live a sheltered life!

It helped to write it out and see the responses.

Jackhound Mom · ‎03-09-2010

I too am sorry this happened to you!

We are near Tucson and there is a circut of panhandlers that work several areas. One lady was really dirty, walked with a limp and worked the same area for years. By chance we saw her get out of a very nice Dodge Ram truck at our Bank of America with a roll of cash that would choke a horse!

The only way we donate to the homeless is through Salvation Army.

Also, several of the regulars have dogs that they beg with even in our summer heat. I called TPD and they said unless the dogs are being abused there is nothing they can do. Animal control told us the same thing.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

@software wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
Maybe he was going to shake your hand. I might have been annoyed but under the circumstances, there was no danger or threat. It's not like he made grab for your handbag. You folded the money and I don't do that. When I worked in town and gave to pandhandlers, they usually had cups or buckets but if not, I didn't fold the money. I smoothed it out and handed it to them to avoid skin on skin contact.
There is no way I could KNOW I was in no danger.
He could have shoved me in a vehicle or knocked me down.
Once he had me by the hand, he was in control, even only for a brief moment.

I just assumed you were on a sidewalk with people all around, it never occurred to me that you would be in the middle of the road so close to his car.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

@henderson wrote:
The original poster said this man was asking for "gas money". So he has a car? Doesn't make any sense to me. I used to help at a women's shelter at our local rescue union. I was taught never to give money. They just want to buy drugs/alcohol.

I don't know what "they" want the money for and I don't care and yes, they do advise that we don't give money to panhandlers but I do and always will because I would rather give $3 or $4 to 100 people who will use it for drugs than not give money to one person who wants to buy a burger and some fries with it. But that's me and I'm not the scary type. If I was, I wouldn't give them cash.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
There are some homeless that don't want gift cards to Mickey D's, etc.

The want the $.

I would NEVER trust a homeless person.

Never.

You never know what they might do, if you let them get close enough to you.

There are a lot of mentally ill homeless people out there, and those who have had their brains fried by drug use.

Will you trust the hospital's nurse? How many stories have we heard where nurses abuse or kill patients?

Will you trust your church's minister? How many times have we heard of ministers abusing kids?

Will you trust your CPA to do your taxes? How many accountants and lawyers have stolen information or abused their clients?

Will you trust your child's teacher? There have been a lot of teachers in the news lately for abusing kids.

Will you trust your fire department if you have a house fire? How many might find and take personal information or jewelry?

What about trusting the police officer who comes to your home after a break-in? They might shoot you, right?

Will you trust the plumber or electrician who comes to do repairs? Only 99.9999% of them are safe. You might get that one bad guy.

Will you trust your friend or relative who is suffering from depression? That's a mental llness too.

Will you still love your spouse if he/she has bipolar? That's a mental illness too.

Has your child ever come to you talking about killing him/herself? That's a mental illness too.

Did you know that most people don't tell their friends they suffer from depression. What would you think if you found out your best friend had that mental illness?

Being so judgmental and self-righteous goes against many religious beliefs too. How does it mesh with your faith?

Wow, you are just so wrong. The homeless are just like you and me except perhaps a little smellier, dirtier. I volunteer at homeless shelter several times a week. Yes, some are mentally ill, whether or not from drugs, but they are still human beings and worthy of our respect and dignity. I've met some incredible people who were down on their luck. The number of homeless, no matter the reason, will increase given our country's economic direction. There but for the grace of God go you.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

@kelsey17 wrote:
I don't give to panhandlers.....never have....legitimate organizations are the only ones i dontate to......i don't believe any of the panhandlers....like one poster said ...they spend all day looking for handouts and walk away to a car nicer then myself............................a while back we had a couple panhandlers near our shopping center and i had seen them there a couple times..............when they took a "break" around the corner...i happened to see them .....and they were there on their cellphones and smoking cigarettes......both of which are costly habits that surprised me that people who claim to have no money to survive are in possession of.....Unfortunately....i often think the people who REALLY need the financial help are
the ones who don't apply or ask because of pride or just
not aware of what might be available to them.....

Why must the poor meet your expectations before they can qualify as humans and be given a little dignity and respect?

Maybe their mom or sister gave them that cell phone and pays the bill so they can stay in touch.

In every city, you will find a location where people can go and hire the homeless for a day or a few hours. How do you know that homeless person didn't use that money for cigarettes?

Or maybe a friend helped them earn the little money they do receive.

Have you ever purchased anything you really shouldn't? What about a car, expensive shoes, or a piece of jewelry? Did you really need those....or were they wants? Could you have found a cheap one instead of paying so much for it? It's no different for the poor.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

@software wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
Maybe he was going to shake your hand. I might have been annoyed but under the circumstances, there was no danger or threat. It's not like he made grab for your handbag. You folded the money and I don't do that. When I worked in town and gave to pandhandlers, they usually had cups or buckets but if not, I didn't fold the money. I smoothed it out and handed it to them to avoid skin on skin contact.
There is no way I could KNOW I was in no danger.
He could have shoved me in a vehicle or knocked me down.
Once he had me by the hand, he was in control, even only for a brief moment.

Do you shake the hand of a person you meet at work? How do you know what they do when off work?

Do you shake the hand of a minister? oooooohhh, the stories of abuse by ministers.

Do you ever reach out and touch someone because they were kind to you? a hug? a touch on the hand?

Do you shake hands with the cousin of the deceased at the funeral even though you don't know the cousin?

Do you shake your doctor's hand? Lots of criminal stories there too.

No need to panic. They are human just like you and me. And, just like the rest of us, 99.999% are decent people.

elizabethl123 · ‎03-29-2017

I DO NOT SEE BEGGERS HERE WHERE I LIVE I DO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FOOD BANK ALSO HAVE A MEMORIAL SITE IN TOWN NAMES OF SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY I CONTRIBUTE TO THAT MY HUSBANDS NAME IS THERE

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

As I mentioned earlier, some meth addicted homeless people broke in to an office that was there to help the homeless.

What I left out was, not only did they steal from the very same charity that was set up to help them, but they also deficated inside the office too.

You know what that means, right?

It means that they pooped, had a bowel movement, left their feces on the floor.

So, no, I will not be an enabler to their illegal habits.

When I help the homeless, I donate to the soup kitchen.

Afterall, where would they be without charitable donations?

Othereeeen · ‎03-13-2010

Calm in the Heart..... Ii don't trust the beggars and "homeless" either. Just got to You Tube and watch the HUNDREDS of filmed " beggars" and "homeless" who are NOT. Try "fake beggars" or "fake panhandlers".....