Foiling Panhandler

[MossRoad]

... But again most people are good and just need a little help. ...

And that's where all of us would be better off supporting local organizations that can better manage the money for these people instead of giving them the money directly, where 9 times out of 10, it goes to drugs or alcohol and does nothing to help the person get out of the situation they are in. Absolutely Nothing.

 

[Mace Canute]

Just tell them "Sorry. All my money is tied up in currency."

 

[thepumpguysc]

When asked for a "spare dollar" & tellum sorry, only 100 came in this bundle this time..
Same with the bum at work.. "gotta an extra cigarette"?? NOPE, only 20 came in this pack, no extras..

 

[Bird]

I've been known to tell one, "I don't have any cash; I use credit cards".

 

[mjarrels]

Decades ago 60 minutes did a story about NYC panhandles and you wouldnt belive how much money they made tax free, if I remember, over $50.000 a year and this was over 30 years ago.

mark

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Someone mentioned the "gas money"excuse; I have concluded that is a euphemism for "I need a fix right now". I have had it pulled on me several times...once by a guy who was doing some tree work in my yard; at noon he wanted partial payment for "gas money". I later checked the DOC website and found out he was an ex con in for among other things, drugs. Another time, a young lady asked me for "gas money", and a couple hours later, a police car drove by, stopped, and asked me if I had seen this same young lady (they had a picture) they were looking for her for failing to appear on drug charges.

 

[kenmac]

You know it's a lot easier and safer to just tell them "Sorry, I can't help you." and be done with it. They'll just walk away and bother someone else, VS giving them some advice or criticism that can escalate the situation and will do nothing at all to change their way of thinking. Just tell 'em "Nope. Sorry." and walk away.

Well, If you have to ask for gas money, You can't afford to be riding around in a car with 3 young males that appear able to work.

I first told her no. She didn't just walk away. She continued with a story line I really didn't care to hear. Had she just walked away after me telling her no. It would have been over.

I wasn't about to walk away. I was standing outside talking to a friend

There are those that can't take no for an answer

 

[Dftodd]

A couple years ago, I was at a Murphy gas station in town. Had a female meth head walk up to me asking for money. She was acting really sketchy while she as asking for money. I was pumping gas in my truck, and couldn't go anywhere.

When I told her I didn't have any cash, she walked in front of the truck and worked her way to the passenger side. Looking in the windows the whole time. When she was in front of the truck, I reached in my pocket and hit the door lock button on the remote. Good thing I did. Apparently the pack of smokes, sitting in the center console peaked her interest. She started trying to open the the door to the truck At this point, I lost my temper, told her she needed to get the h##l away from my truck, and I was gonna call the cops.

At this point, another patron of the gas station who happened to have a concealed carry stepped in and told her to move on as well, and showed her his gun. This ended the situation.

Wife and I both have our concealed carries now over that situation.

 

[Citydude]

I gave my last $20.00 bill to a guy at a gas station while filling my car. I never even thought about it, I just pulled it out and gave it to him. He said God Bless you to me and went in and bought some sandwiches and was eating one of them before he got to the cashier. Once in a while, there is a reason you are at that place at that time.

 

[square1]

You know it's a lot easier and safer to just tell them "Sorry, I can't help you." and be done with it. They'll just walk away and bother someone else, VS giving them some advice or criticism that can escalate the situation and will do nothing at all to change their way of thinking. Just tell 'em "Nope. Sorry." and walk away.

Try that in a train / hobby store and see how far it gets you

Used to fly the redeye from LAX to home back east every Friday morning. Was refueling the rental car when approached with "Hey man, my wife and kids are in the car a block over and the car has a flat tire. Can you lend me $10 to get my tire fixed so we can get home? I declined. Fast forward to the next Friday, same gas station, same time of early morning fueling up the rental car and here comes the same guy. He starts his spiel and I begin to match him word for word. He just looks at me with a confused look on his face and walks away

When working in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area there was a gentlemen panhandling at the end of the exit ramp by the hotel every afternoon during rush hour. He dressed the part except for very expensive highly polished shoes. It was obvious he had more money than I did.