Comments on: If You Give a Bum a Dollar (If You Give…)

By: Nicky Cheese

Nicky Cheese — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:37:41 +0000

Well, it was only a “thought” response to be fair.

But yeah, I was actually going to include something like what you’re saying in my post. Which I absolutely agree with. If a panhandler is creating some form of value, then great! No complaint whatsoever. In fact, if he/she brightens my day with a song/joke/random act/expression, I will probably give that person some money.

But this was obviously not the case with the bum in question, clear b/c no one organically gave him anything. It was only when he procured their pity and (irrational) guilt that he received a handout.

By: I'm Not The Only 1

I'm Not The Only 1 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:24:06 +0000

I don’t give money to panhandlers unless they plan to entertain me in some way (singing, magic tricks, break dancing, playing musical instruments, etc.). I certainly don’t hand out money to any panhandler who is wearing nicer clothes than myself (and they’re not entertaining me in some way).

I liked how you responded to the stubborn panhandler. Good work!

By: Nicky Cheese

Nicky Cheese — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:07:40 +0000

baxtersbrother2,
I recognize that many homeless individuals do have mental problems (although there are plenty of perfectly sane individuals, as Stossel’s video and my experience shows), giving an irrational mind a handout in the form of money is not a good way to help that person. At all.

Not sure if you were going there with your comment but I’d thought I’d mention it.

By: missbehavin

missbehavin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:54:35 +0000

If you HAD stood up on the train I would have applauded you. And not just the “normal” woo-hoo applause. I would have brought the slow-clap out.

By: baxtersbrother2

baxtersbrother2 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:01:19 +0000

Yea. it is so sad. Many of the street persons have major mental disorders. Therefore, sometimes it is just better to keep moving.