Sigh... it's never simple is it? On my way home from my morning lectures, someone across the road said, "Excuse me mate?" so I looked up and he crossed the road and pointed to a plastic bad in his hands and said, "This is all I own, please could you spare some money so I can get something to eat and drink?" out of a mixture of fear and awkwardness I got my wallet out, half expecting it to be snatched from my hands, and grabbed a £10.00 note out. It was the quickest and easiest way to end this disturbing encounter.
Upon recieving the note, the man seemed quite struck by the amount and seemed so grateful. I was happy at the possibility of having helped someone in need, but on the rest of my walk home, I was troubled by the whole situation. This is the second time this kind of thing has happened to me and I did the exact same thing the first time. I guess I was worried I'd be mugged. But now I worry, "Is that guy just going to buy a load of drugs and possibly end up killing himself?" "I've just encouraged him to ask more people by giving him that note haven't I?" "What if he asks someone else for money, due to my actions, and ends up getting violent with them if they don't give him anything?"
I actually feel bad about giving him the money. I worry I've put other people, even the homeless man himself, in danger... and all because I didn't just step back and consider it all.
What should I have done?
I live in an area that has more than its fair share of panhandlers. I chance being hit-up for money every time I walk down a sidewalk, buy groceries, mail a letter at the Post Office, etcetera.
I used to give them money, thinking they were hungry and homeless. Then, I found out most of them get SSI payments, food card benefits, subsidized housing or section 8 rental assistance, and free medical. The truly needy can easily get all these benefits here in the U.S.
In fact, many of them are “professional" panhandlers. It’s their career. In my state, some were found to be making as much as $300 a day panhandling in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
How to deal with panhandlers?
Sometimes, I carry a few small-denomination bills loosely in my pocket. That way, I don’t have to take out my wallet if I decide to give money to someone who appears to have a genuine need. The person can’t see what’s in my wallet, and possibly get tempted to grab it and run.
Other times, I smile friendly and say,
“can’t spare anything today.”
Generally, my experience with panhandlers has taught me it’s not in their, or my, best interest to give them money.
