Well here in Seattle/Tacoma we have lots of them. I always see a diff bum on the freeway exit ramp on my way to work each morn. (get to that soon).

Well last week, me and buddy were downtown seattle pioneer square walking to some clubs. People familiar with this area know that there are bums everywhere. I'm always nice and give them my spare change or whatever. This night, I'm happening to carry my credit card for the bar tabs since I didn't want to carry to much cash around. As usual a bum comes up to me as I'm walking and asks for some money. I'm like sure hold on, all I have is a quarter but I glady give it to him. Then he complains moans and bitches about is this all I'm going to give him?? He is like what am I supposed to do with a quarter!! That pissed me off, because at 1st he wanted a cigerrate. So I'm like go ing buy a ciggarette off someone for that quarter I just gave you. If your not happy then give back my quarter. He walks off mumbling and approaches another group of people....That experiance pretty much changed my attitude towards bums who beg for money.

I did some more research and found out that bums on the freeway actually work with each other and change shifts at a certain spot during the week. This is true. There are at least 5 diff bums who change spots on my freeway exit to work depending on the day off the week. These guys can make at least $60 or more a day just standing there with a sign. I was joking with my friends that there should be a bum union or something. Or what do you do when the Fred the bum who takes up your spot for the week doesnt want to leave. Bum fights?

I still might give out money to bums if I see them with kids or some other needy situation but I'm a cash strapped graduate school student so I'm going to be picky now after this last bum. Plus most bums buy liquor or cigarettes with donated money. I see it all the time at our liquor stores. I would understand if they put this money to food or clothes to help them set up for an interview. There was this one bum I would always see who actually had a sign that said "booze money".

 

Depends on your religion. I'm a Christian. If they ask me I will help them out. If not, I walk on by.

 

If i see a bum, and i have some spare change. Just out of pity i might give it to em. But if i see someone playing an instrument or something, i'll for sure give them some money. Cuz they're out there doing something. Much more respect for them.

 

In my experience, a bum's not a bum.. it's a con-artist


There's this person who is very good at what he does.. being decited and getting money out of people.

He clamours around the local in-n-out, using things such as the race issue, and "buddy, buddy" talks to get money

It pisses me off that he would do this to people.


I don't give money on the basic principle that, it's my parent's money I'm giving away, and I don't have a right to just "throw it away"

If I had a job, I'd still take the same stances, that I could rather buy lunch for a friend then give this stranger booze money

 

Don't know if you guys remember or have seen that movie - "Don't be a menace in South Central while drinking your juice"......there's a scene in that movie of a bum on the sidewalk asking for change; after they give him change, he takes off the blanket/coat covering him and he's wearing a suit, while he's getting into his Mercedes. This thread reminded me of that scene

 

I don't give them jack.

Street musicians - yes.

Other beggars? No.

 

Seattle - full of bums, DT especially. Depends on my mood I guess, as far giving bums money. I'm a generous guy so most of the time, F... it I give enough money so they can buy a brew, not enough to buy rock. Some bums have been at the pinnacle of success and lost it all. Why Drugs... Why someone would allow themself to go to hell, I don't know. It sure doesn't look fun.

 

I could NEVER, EVER resist giving homeless people money. I always give them money when I cross one. It's just in my blood to help others, good or bad and regardless of what they do with it. I guess I got it from my mom. She's also the same way; never could resist giving money to hobos. That's why I'm glad I don't come across too many hobos everyday; otherwise, I'd be broke in a few minutes.

 

Purple_shy -

Are you in Seattle? If I were as nice as you to bums - I'd be soooo broke.

I hear that it's easy to clear $100/day tax free.

Maybe it's time for a job change. hehe...


The last time I gave one some $$$ - he was a Native guy down by Pier 54 - he had a sign that said "Why lie - I need a beer!"

It made me smile.

 

Put them to work entertaining you. How about $2 for singing "I'm a little teapot" or $.50 for every pushup they can do? IF they are going to get your money they might as well earn it!