Comments on: Panhandling http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/ Contemplative mom with crackers Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:39:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Antique Mommy http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2646 Antique Mommy Fri, 29 Sep 2006 09:47:34 +0000 http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2646 I would have done the exact same thing. On Maslow's Hierarchy pyramid, personal security occupies a large chunk of real estate for a reason. Having just returned from San Francisco where there are a lot of homeless people, largely friendly and benign, this issue has been on my mind. I would have done the exact same thing. On Maslow’s Hierarchy pyramid, personal security occupies a large chunk of real estate for a reason. Having just returned from San Francisco where there are a lot of homeless people, largely friendly and benign, this issue has been on my mind.

]]> By: sweatpantsmom http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2637 sweatpantsmom Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:49:24 +0000 http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2637 I'm with you. I'm usually pretty generous, but I refuse the ones who seem threatening in any way or are too agressive.<br/><br/>Last month, a guy came up to me at the gas station and said he was an artist and was waiting for a paycheck but needed some money to fill his tank. (They're getting very creative here in Hollywood.) He was a little too persistant and pushy, though, so I refused and then watched as he walked back to his JAGUAR. WTF??!! I’m with you. I’m usually pretty generous, but I refuse the ones who seem threatening in any way or are too agressive.

Last month, a guy came up to me at the gas station and said he was an artist and was waiting for a paycheck but needed some money to fill his tank. (They’re getting very creative here in Hollywood.) He was a little too persistant and pushy, though, so I refused and then watched as he walked back to his JAGUAR. WTF??!!

]]> By: KJ's muse http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2636 KJ's muse Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:40:54 +0000 http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2636 Being broke right now I often say no to panhandlers myself, but I hate it when I see people walk by as if they don't even exist. If I'm approached I try to at least look them in the eye and say, "No, I'm sorry, I can't today." After all, all human beings deserve to be treated with respect. Having said that though, you were absolutely right in how you handled the last person who asked for money. Maybe he was just really desperate, but he came across as very dangerous. Being broke right now I often say no to panhandlers myself, but I hate it when I see people walk by as if they don’t even exist. If I’m approached I try to at least look them in the eye and say, “No, I’m sorry, I can’t today.” After all, all human beings deserve to be treated with respect. Having said that though, you were absolutely right in how you handled the last person who asked for money. Maybe he was just really desperate, but he came across as very dangerous.

]]> By: edj http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2632 edj Wed, 27 Sep 2006 11:54:25 +0000 http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2632 ah...giving...it's so hard to do wisely. This is something I struggle with and continue to struggle with. I try to give food or work (like you did with Alan) rather than money. Donn and I did a huge study on giving in the Bible, and found it is mostly done in the context of hospitality and sharing food and clothes. We tend not to give money to able-bodied men, especially in America where there are more options. We've had offers of food turned down both there and here. Here, we see horrible sights, but there are also professional beggars who make a decent living at it, and you learn not to believe a lot of the stories you hear. But then, often the need is real though the story isn't. There's not an easy answer and I think it's good to struggle with it. I admire the conclusions you've reached--like you, I often think that giving is important for its result in the life of the giver, not necessarily of the receiver. Wow this is long--did you really want all my rambling thoughts? Hope so. That guy was a bully, and I think you did the right thing.<br/>ONE more thing before I shut up--once, in Portland, I was walking down the street and saw a panhandler. I must have registered dismay on my face, because he smiled a huge smile, held out his hand, and said, "Hey lady, want some change?" I laughed all the way down the street--it made my day. ah…giving…it’s so hard to do wisely. This is something I struggle with and continue to struggle with. I try to give food or work (like you did with Alan) rather than money. Donn and I did a huge study on giving in the Bible, and found it is mostly done in the context of hospitality and sharing food and clothes. We tend not to give money to able-bodied men, especially in America where there are more options. We’ve had offers of food turned down both there and here. Here, we see horrible sights, but there are also professional beggars who make a decent living at it, and you learn not to believe a lot of the stories you hear. But then, often the need is real though the story isn’t. There’s not an easy answer and I think it’s good to struggle with it. I admire the conclusions you’ve reached–like you, I often think that giving is important for its result in the life of the giver, not necessarily of the receiver. Wow this is long–did you really want all my rambling thoughts? Hope so. That guy was a bully, and I think you did the right thing.
ONE more thing before I shut up–once, in Portland, I was walking down the street and saw a panhandler. I must have registered dismay on my face, because he smiled a huge smile, held out his hand, and said, “Hey lady, want some change?” I laughed all the way down the street–it made my day.

]]> By: Teacher lady http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2631 Teacher lady Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:51:45 +0000 http://toddleddredge.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/panhandling-2/#comment-2631 Sometimes people are that clueless. Clearly, he's approaching a woman alone at night (in an empty parking lot?) and he's surprised you're not helpful? I'm sure even HE reads the papers or watches the news - there are just some things you don't do and expect to get a positive result. I don't mean to sound like a cold-hearted b*tch, but read Gavin deBecker's Gift of Fear (if you haven't already) - a woman's intuition is a gift not to be ignored and I'm glad you didn't ignore it. Sometimes people are that clueless. Clearly, he’s approaching a woman alone at night (in an empty parking lot?) and he’s surprised you’re not helpful? I’m sure even HE reads the papers or watches the news - there are just some things you don’t do and expect to get a positive result. I don’t mean to sound like a cold-hearted b*tch, but read Gavin deBecker’s Gift of Fear (if you haven’t already) - a woman’s intuition is a gift not to be ignored and I’m glad you didn’t ignore it.

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