to give...or not to give.
i'm all about helping people in need, right? and i do try to whenever i'm given the moment to. but i've experienced some questionable circumstances these last couple weeks - homeless people. i mean God bless them...some i'm sure have lived very difficult and challenging lives. however, how in the world do you ever know which ones are "real" or not? and not to be judgmental (that is the thing i want this post to be), but you really can't look at what they are wearing because anyone can throw on a dirty pair of sneakers and holey jeans. so do you really give to ones that you know are just making up a story to get some change for their next metro card a joint? which i think is the main reason i'm so questionable in this matter. or maybe more careful with who i give that extra change, fruit or granola bar to. here's an example of a story i...well, really think this guy took a lot of time to write:
"Excuse me ladies and gentleman. i do not mean to be a disturbance to you tonight, but i need your help. 2 weeks ago, my wife left me with our two kids to raise. i have no family or friends and no way to raise these kids alone.(alright so somewhat believable right? it gets better...) last week i lost my job, which has made it even harder to earn money. and at the beginning of this week, my house burnt down and i lost everything. my children and i are stranded and have no where to go. (so where are your kids now?) i will admit i have a bit of an drinking problem, but am in the process of putting my life back in order. please help me. i'll accept anything. if you have change, food, anything, i'll accept it. thank you, and God bless you..."(that's always a nice ending)
needless to say, i did not give anything to this nice gentlemen. and i'm sure he was nice...just needed to stop taking innocent people's money. i think it's better to be truthful than lie. i mean, i might be stating the obvious here. but really! people can tell...well most anyway (sadly to say he did receive some change). i remember driving in syracuse last year, and saw a homeless man standing on a corner holding a sign that read, "I AM NOT GOING TO LIE. I WANT A BEER." i bet you anything he got a few beers thrown out the window to him! i obviously don't think that is the right approach either, but then what is? what's the medium? anyway, i don't think this post is in need of prolonging. i don't mind sparing some change or my extra fruit from lunch to someone in need...i just make sure they are really in need.
on to another topic - i'm leaving tomorrow for cape may, new jaearsay with the fam until the middle of next week. from what i've seen, cape may is one of the most beautiful parts of nj. cause as we all know, it's not the most beautiful state. it will definitely be relaxing. my goal is to not be on my computer at all. though i still feel the need to bring it for security reason...it's kind of like underwear for me. but i thought, if this is going to be a real mini-vaca, and all i do all day any other day is spend time on the computer at work/home/play, i should take a little break...yea? so we'll see if i pass. i'll be sure to post photos when i get back. enjoy the nice weekend everyone!
"Excuse me ladies and gentleman. i do not mean to be a disturbance to you tonight, but i need your help. 2 weeks ago, my wife left me with our two kids to raise. i have no family or friends and no way to raise these kids alone.(alright so somewhat believable right? it gets better...) last week i lost my job, which has made it even harder to earn money. and at the beginning of this week, my house burnt down and i lost everything. my children and i are stranded and have no where to go. (so where are your kids now?) i will admit i have a bit of an drinking problem, but am in the process of putting my life back in order. please help me. i'll accept anything. if you have change, food, anything, i'll accept it. thank you, and God bless you..."(that's always a nice ending)
needless to say, i did not give anything to this nice gentlemen. and i'm sure he was nice...just needed to stop taking innocent people's money. i think it's better to be truthful than lie. i mean, i might be stating the obvious here. but really! people can tell...well most anyway (sadly to say he did receive some change). i remember driving in syracuse last year, and saw a homeless man standing on a corner holding a sign that read, "I AM NOT GOING TO LIE. I WANT A BEER." i bet you anything he got a few beers thrown out the window to him! i obviously don't think that is the right approach either, but then what is? what's the medium? anyway, i don't think this post is in need of prolonging. i don't mind sparing some change or my extra fruit from lunch to someone in need...i just make sure they are really in need.
on to another topic - i'm leaving tomorrow for cape may, new jaearsay with the fam until the middle of next week. from what i've seen, cape may is one of the most beautiful parts of nj. cause as we all know, it's not the most beautiful state. it will definitely be relaxing. my goal is to not be on my computer at all. though i still feel the need to bring it for security reason...it's kind of like underwear for me. but i thought, if this is going to be a real mini-vaca, and all i do all day any other day is spend time on the computer at work/home/play, i should take a little break...yea? so we'll see if i pass. i'll be sure to post photos when i get back. enjoy the nice weekend everyone!
posted by hannah | 11:32 PM
5 Comments:
Yup even here the stories are either getting more elaborate or they just flat out say i need money for beer. Which in all respect is all i want to hear. And i have been gulty of giving them money for this. But its tiring now. Yes i have a job, car, clothes, but im just barely get by. And the money i have is the money i need to survive, so why should i give to it someone else? So if i give money to someone, then they should give it right back, because they'll have and i'll be without.
have in Cape May, i had to pass up my vacation this year in Ocean City unfortnately.
Cape May is in Southern Jersey. All of Southern Jersey is really nice. It's that north part that is disgusting!
I have a hard time giving to homeless people. I was in Toronto once and a guy asked me for change to get a coffee and a muffin. I offered to go into a coffee shop and buy him that instead of give him money and he refused. Golly gee... I wonder what he really wanted.
I'm sure I'll get some responses from "social heroes" that will preach to me about how I am selfish, but I don't care. Besides, why can't a homeless person go through the proper channels in our society to get help? It's not like it's unavailable.
Oh, and next time you get a sob story like that you should ask him his wife's name. Or, if somebody wants gas to get across town so he can see his baby, ask him what kind of car he drives. It's funny to see people squirm and stutter at those questions!
I want to be a heroin or meth addict so I can suck people dry of their money...
I'm an asshole, I know.
That's so funny that you put this post up. This past weekend on Saturday I was riding BART and this guy gets on my train car and stands in front of people and says "Excuse me, I was wondering if anyone had any spare change to help the homeless (referring to himself... or trying to). Anything that you have would be greatly appreceiated." The funny part was anyone who went for their purse he stared at until they gave the money. How CREEPY! He looked a little dissheveled (sp?) but I didn't give him my money.
We live in AMERICA folks! I almost worked at a place where they taught computer skills to the homeless to help get them off of the streets. There are TONS of homes in the bay area that have places for the homeless to go. I dated this guy who had a cousin that was a bum. Her family flew her home so she could have thanksgiving or some holiday like that with them... maybe it was christmas I don't remember. anyway, she was so smelly! She had showered and still stunk. She came home and ate and spent a little while there... weird girl. The punchline of the story is that she had family who would offer a home and free food for as long as she wanted and she went back to being a bum! GO FIGURE
So my point is that this is their choice. They decide to do this. There are places that help them, give them more money than they actually deserve (I work for my money and everyone else should too). It makes me sick to see some bum wiping his ass with something he pulled from the trash in front of the city hall... I think all bums need to be removed and all put somewhere. It's something that disgusts me... the ones that need help need to get it.. I feel bad that they are on the street - but for the love of GOD! there are places for them.
I'm wish Sean - buy them food. If they are truely hungry they will take the food. Otherwise they can fuck off... :)
I meant to say I'm WITH Sean.. oops!
but they are still people too christine. whether they messed up or have made one too many mistakes. saying for them to be put somewhere and removed is a little harsh i think. yes, some of them do have family and make choice to be homeless like your friend...but i think the majority really don't have family that love them. it's hard for me to not feel for them...maybe i'm just sensitive. but yes! giving food is a good idea. like i said, i try to carry an extra granola bar or something to give instead of money. this way, i know they'll actually be getting food.
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