This is so funny that it is not funny at all

[We_Love_Disney]

For a few,
Please use caution while stepping down from your soapbox.

If you are out there begging, at least look the part. I found the OP's observations to also be both funny and not funny.

 

[mster425]

I'll try not to trip

Sometimes I think people on this board worry way to much about what other people are doing (using government aid, how they raise their children, etc)...this thread wasn't the best example, but I was already halfway up onto the soapbox by the time I got here

It happens

 

[luvmy3]

For a few,
Please use caution while stepping down from your soapbox.

Oh don't worry, here on the DIS there is never a need to step down

 

[bettymae1121]

Some pre-paid phone plans are pretty cheap, I don't know if you can do a pre-paid plan with a blackberry though. If I was living-on-the-streets-homeless my cheap-o prepaid phone would actually be the last thing I'd give up. Living on the streets isn't safe and I want some easy way to stay in touch with people (can you imagine job hunting without a phone?). I'd think I'd have more "marketing sense" than to flash it while begging though!

Now I'm not saying that's the situation this lady was in, it could be exactly what it looked like, someone that has financial means still out begging. But things aren't always what they appear to be, either.

 

[allison443]

Blackberries require an internet plan, too, don't they? So depending on which side of the argument you are on, the person was probably applying online for a job, or just on a fun website like the dis....all while begging for money.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I really have no opinion either way as I tend to let the Big Man upstairs judge for Himself but heard this on the radio the other day and thought this was a pretty neat idea. This lady keeps a box in her car with Ziploc bags with a washcloth, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and other little things and a gift card to a cheap grocery store or some cash. When she sees someone panhandling or that's homeless she offers them one of these bags. She said some refuse them but others are so thankful.

That's a fantastic idea!

 

[JR6ooo4]

many homeless are not playing with a full deck, are you sure it was working?

Mikeeee

 

[dimimi]

The other day we had several cheerleading groups (all different) doing car washes for a fund raiser. The car washes were free with a donation appreciated. Then, I went to the bank and a group of cheerleaders, from a town about 20 minutes away, were asking for money. No car wash or not selling anything, just had a can labeled DONATIONS and the kids (they were about 8 to 10 years old) went near the cars at the lights to wait for a donation.

Personally, I couldn't figure out why they didn't try the car wash or selling something.

 

[klj27]

The other day we had several cheerleading groups (all different) doing car washes for a fund raiser. The car washes were free with a donation appreciated. Then, I went to the bank and a group of cheerleaders, from a town about 20 minutes away, were asking for money. No car wash or not selling anything, just had a can labeled DONATIONS and the kids (they were about 8 to 10 years old) went near the cars at the lights to wait for a donation.

Personally, I couldn't figure out why they didn't try the car wash or selling something.

Just asking for money ..... lame! My daughter's marching band is doing the same type of car wash right now.

 

[jama]

Actually, there are alot of programs that give cellphones to homeless and welfare recipients ..they feel it will help them get/stay connected..better able to get jobs, housing..etc.

When I visited Atlanta, I noticed there are electrical outlets in the parks and other public places..and the homeless were charging their phones..

 

[gottaluvPluto]

When you talk to panhandlers you will find out that they make great money and tax free. A few panhandlers I have talked to have made over $60,000 dollars a year tax free. Then they will work a month or two so they can collect food stamps and so forth ...... it's sad that we have become an enabling country.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

What bothers me is the people in NYC who have 3, 4, 5 pets (cats, dogs, rabbits) who beg for money to feed the animals. I'm sorry, but you shouldn't have pets in cages if you're living on the streets and if you can't feed yourself, you owe it to yourself and your pets to give them to a shelter or somewhere that will take care of them, so you can beg for money to feed yourself. The use of animals is simply a pity ploy if you have 3, 4 or 5 of them in cages. On the reverse side, I've seen homeless people with a dog, and they are very happy when someone brings food for them as well as their dog.

 

[Disney Doll]

I do not give money to people who are begging.
I will be happy to buy them food.

Most do not accept my offer to buy them food.
The ones that do accept the offer to buy them food get food, and I am happy to get it for them.

 

[PebblesMom]

I agree! I was in downtown Toronto and and new Lincoln Navigator stopped in front of me. A well dressed woman got out, opened the back and pulled out a sign. A grubby dressed man also got out of the car, took the sign, she gave him a kiss and drove off. He set up the sign, (which was "help me, I'm poor and need money" sign) and sat down beside it.

Are you kidding me?

I once worked with a lady who got a phone call in the middle of the day from the police in the next city. Her husband had been arrested for pan handling and their brand new Lincoln had been impounded. She was humiliated to say the least!!! He had a job, but he had heard it was a good way to make extra money. On the same note there was a man with a sign outside of a grocery store in our town that said will work for food, my mom took him some groceries and he was very grateful and almost in tears! I think with some it is a scam and with others they really need the help, so it really is just a personal judgement call!

 

[SalandJeff]

I once had a job that involved working with the police. Several times a week there was a man panhandling in front of our building. He was there one day when a detective came into our office, and the detective told us he was always at the casino...he panhandled so he could go gambling, and was not homeless.

I agree with others...if they are homeless, offer them food, a cup of coffee, clothing.

But it would be very strange to see someone asking for money using a Blackberry!

 

[Disneyadore]

My country has banned begging.In 99% of the cases they are illegals and they are just a PITA for everyone.

This reminds me of our visit to the US last year. We were visiting a mall at Naples and were forced to buy a ten dollar Entree Ticket to get into Macy's. They had "Homeless Day" and my ten bucks would go to shelters. Yea right forcing people to buy tickets to get INTO a store wasn't getting much sympathy. Most potential customers just left.

On the other hand the phone and plan could be paid be a relative who likes to keep in touch. Love and caring goes a long way sometimes.

 

[Carly_Roach]

Invariably, threads like this serve as an example to me.

You will always ALWAYS find instances of people working the system. ALWAYS. Just like you will always ALWAYS find people who will throw up these examples as a reason for not wanting to be bothered by, or to care for, those on this earth or in this country who are less fortunate that they are. ALWAYS.

To which I find struggle in the teaching: forgive them; for they know not what they do.

If those people taking advantage of charity or the system knew any better, they wouldn't do it. If those people who so easily and haughtily dismiss others in need because they can cite reams of examples of people who take advantage of the system knew any better, they would do better. This is true of any crime, any lifestyle, anything in our lives:

If we knew better, we would do better.

A good Sunday lesson. Thank you.

 

[C.Ann]

Well - anyone who finds themselves in such a situation could always hand the person some change - or a buck - and strike up a friendly conversation.. Might get facts that way - rather than making assumptions..

Maybe she was mentally challenged and just playing around with something she found in the trash.. Might have been from her "before" life and didn't even work anymore - just fiddling to pass the time.. Let's of explanations when people think before they assume..

 

[Luvchefmic]

Invariably, threads like this serve as an example to me.

You will always ALWAYS find instances of people working the system. ALWAYS. Just like you will always ALWAYS find people who will throw up these examples as a reason for not wanting to be bothered by, or to care for, those on this earth or in this country who are less fortunate that they are. ALWAYS.

To which I find struggle in the teaching: forgive them; for they know not what they do.

If those people taking advantage of charity or the system knew any better, they wouldn't do it. If those people who so easily and haughtily dismiss others in need because they can cite reams of examples of people who take advantage of the system knew any better, they would do better. This is true of any crime, any lifestyle, anything in our lives:

If we knew better, we would do better.

A good Sunday lesson. Thank you.

and I Thank You

 

[EMom]

Invariably, threads like this serve as an example to me.

You will always ALWAYS find instances of people working the system. ALWAYS. Just like you will always ALWAYS find people who will throw up these examples as a reason for not wanting to be bothered by, or to care for, those on this earth or in this country who are less fortunate that they are. ALWAYS.

To which I find struggle in the teaching: forgive them; for they know not what they do.

If those people taking advantage of charity or the system knew any better, they wouldn't do it. If those people who so easily and haughtily dismiss others in need because they can cite reams of examples of people who take advantage of the system knew any better, they would do better. This is true of any crime, any lifestyle, anything in our lives:

If we knew better, we would do better.

A good Sunday lesson. Thank you.

I know you are not naive, so I won't even consider that. I'll get straight to the point. I've known plenty of people who 100% "knew better" yet CHOSE to work the system. They were not ignorant. They were not raised in some generational cycle that would explain them not knowing any better. They were not too stupid to understand they were scamming the system. They made a conscious CHOICE. Some people are just users, plain and simple.

I realize there are plenty of people out there truly in need. That is one reason the scammers bother me so much. They desensitize people to the truly needy. They also use up resources that SHOULD go to the truly needy. There's only so much to go around and that's basic math.

There is no way I buy your "they know not what they do" line. If you're working the system, you are CHOSING to be a scammer. It's more like, "They CARE not what they do."