I will feel somebody out when they ask me for something. Where I grew up, there would be people asking for money on major intersections. My parents taught me not to look at them because they were human garbage for not having a job. While I think many of them are in a self perpetuating state of helplessness, I understand what it's like to be in a difficult situation and lose your worth and dignity.
I like to give them food and drink instead of money. They obviously need it and that bypasses the concern that you could be funding their potential drug habits. No matter what a persons situation is, if they're standing around outside asking for money, it's likely that they don't have a clean and well stocked fridge to go home to. Everybody deserves to be nourished. |