I do not carry cash

I, too, have stopped carrying cash, and let those beggars know I don't when they ask. There was a time, many years ago, I would have given someone down and out a few bucks for a meal. Ten or so years ago, when my sister in law sent us five ten dollar mcdonald's cards, we don't eat there, so I gave them one by one to a man I knew to be homeless. He was so grateful each time, because each card meant two days of meals for him. Yet today, I see kids - they can't be older than 18 or 19 - standing on our street corners with signs - these kids are dressed decently, their hair is obviously washed and put back nicely - for the girls - stylish shoes - and they are begging? At least have the decency to put on old torn jeans and have unkempt hair if you are going to con people! I know all the cons at this point. The old, "my car has a flat, and my kids are in it, and it's parked two blocks away, and Safeway won't take my check...." type. I've become hardened because of that. These are difficult times for us all. Yet I scrape up a living writing over the internet. If you don't want to go out and work, work from home. But do something!

First off, just cause there are sings posted "everywhere" for hiring does not mean they will hire anyone to work there. It is not an easy process, they always seem to want those with experience, and I have known this as I have applied for jobs at those places and so has many people I know. There will be the sign there and they really aren't hiring anyone, for instance. I do not know why they do it. Next, I agree with you about not shoving her cup in everyone's face, I get frustrated by the collector's at doors for kid's football teams and stuff like that too. I half the time don'r even live in the same town as they do. I'm all for helping kids and such but if you see if everytime to go to the store it gets to be overwhelming. And the homeless ones, yo never know what they will use the money for, you are right. Not all of them are high or drunk or want the money for that though. How do you tell the difference. There have been people like that in my own town, on occasion. I do feel bad for them but what can i do, I'm practically one of them if you think of it. As I do not own this place, even if I do have alittle money saved. I know what you mean about talking to them, it's a way at least to get to know who they are and why they are there.I have never seen someone get violent for the money though, and hope I never do, thats just not right when someone offers what they can give.

Yes I think people are getting desperate in life and will resort to begging, it certainly is becoming more common even here in Australia, I will not give money but I would be willing to buy food for anyone.

I do understand since I don't carry cash either. I prefer to use a credit card. In our area, many if not all the people who are outside soliciting for their needs must clear it with the manager of that particular store so a permit is involved. If I wanted to sell my crafts in front of a grocery store, it wouldn't work without getting an approval first. I think this law should be placed in effect everywhere and it may slow down some of the folks who stand outside and ask for money. I would gladly help someone if they were hungry but am not in favor of helping someone who wants liquor. I've seen that many times. You know, like have a brown paper bag beside their stool with a bottle showing. Pretty obvious what that person's needs are and I am not willing to participate. I do feel awful for all the people who are without jobs right now. It just can't be an easy time.

there are those that really beg for their vices, and those that need for their living. what you saw on walgreen did not deserve compassion, but many out there deserve our compassion. many of us are excluded from our society, from the labor market. these are the people that need our compassion.

Yeah you just wonder where a lot of this money is going. It cannot be anywhere good that is for sure. The sad thing is that there are people out there who do want to turn their life around, but sadly are unable to get the support, because other people have ruined it for them. People are less inclined to want to donate money to anyone or anything dealing with the homeless, because they have learned that it could potentially be a wasted effort. So really those who really are the most pushy, tend to be the ones who feel desperate enough but will use the money on whatever vices that put them in the situation in the first place. It is one of those things in life that is horrible. And those who are suffering, who do want to turn their lives around, well they're out there. But they are not in the highest number as we would want to think. Talk about an awful situation.

Hello desertrose16, Oh yes begging is just what one should be ashamed of.People as find it the easiest way to earn so they choose it but its really a pity who being physically fit do work involves in begging.I normally don't give a penny to the beggars if i find him/her fit to do some work though if i see someone who is really disabled i prefer to give them some eatable or clothing but not money.