FrankS said:
Most of the homeless people are mentally unwell and can't, rather than won't get it together.
Depends. In San Francisco, I'd agree. In Atlanta, it was aggressive, nearly mugging type situations ("gimme dolla") and in Montreal, it was college-age kids hanging around with their friends, skateboards, radios, etc - and hats out for change. They'd stand in front of you and walk backwards, loudly complaining that you were a cheapskate American tourist just looking for hookers until you pitched in a Loonie (or a Toonie, who knew).
I think we all have the level we feel comfortable with when dealing with the homeless or less fortunate. I tend to give away whatever I have in my pockets to the first person who asks, but I don't pretend I don't see the rest or turn my head or whatever. I just don't have any more on me, so that's that. I'll look the rest of them in the eye and say 'Sorry, no' when they ask. I don't judge what they need it for or what their problem is.
I used to be angry at homeless beggers. I took the advice I read in Ann Landers once when I lived/worked in Denver. I bought a book of free food coupons at McDonalds and handed those out instead of money. I got cursed at, had them thrown back in my face, torn up and dropped on the ground, etc. They didn't want money 'to eat' as they said - they wanted money for booze. So I got angry and refused to give money to them again.
But I'm over that now. I'm old, I'm a soft touch, and ultimately, we are called to give it all away anyway. I don't judge them - but I know that many of them are just lazy stinking bums, sorry. I just don't know which ones have genuine need and which ones are lazy bums. I'll still give them money, but I'm not going to pretend that all of them are tragic or in genuine need.
Ever get the 'I'm just trying to get enough to get a bus ticket back to XXX?' story? I've heard it at least a dozen times, with variations. Of course it isn't true. But to let people keep their dignity, I'll pretend it is.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
