Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Monkeyleg on April 07, 2017, 03:13:57 PM
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I was coming out of Home Depot and headed towards my car today when a panhandler came up to me. He gave me the usual story about him and his wife needing to get to Birmingham (why is it always Birmingham?).
I told him I didn't have any cash, just credit cards. He asked if I could go to an ATM. I said I had to get back to work. He then asked if I could give him a ride to the supermarket (probably another good place to panhandle). I said no. He kept insisting. I finally said okay, but realized as soon as he got in the car that I had put myself in a potentially dangerous situation.
He complimented me on my car, and then said with a car like that, I could afford to give him money. I told him it was ten years old and was paid for nine years ago, and that I didn't have any money. I let him out in the supermarket parking lot, and thanked God that it didn't get any worse than annoying.
I've always been a soft touch for panhandlers. I don't know why, but I'm always mad at myself afterwards, as they probably have more money than me.
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Just say no.
That is always my answer no matter what they say. A stern "no" and keep walking.
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I was coming out of Home Depot and headed towards my car today when a panhandler came up to me. He gave me the usual story about him and his wife needing to get to Birmingham (why is it always Birmingham?).
I told him I didn't have any cash, just credit cards. He asked if I could go to an ATM. I said I had to get back to work. He then asked if I could give him a ride to the supermarket (probably another good place to panhandle). I said no. He kept insisting. I finally said okay, but realized as soon as he got in the car that I had put myself in a potentially dangerous situation.
He complimented me on my car, and then said with a car like that, I could afford to give him money...
If I had let the guy in my car to begin with, I think I would have pulled over and booted him out right about there. I may even have done it literally.
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Panhandlers are always disconcerting. One never know when one is in the presence of angels.
If the panhandler is not obviously drunk or stoned, I'll generally give them a buck or three. My view on giving money is that once it leaves my hand into his hand, what he does with it is on him, not me. This is my answer to those who say the guy/gal will spend the money on booze/drugs.
A few weeks ago in KW a rather oddly dressed character (tight shorts, halter top and a cape and tiara...he was a guy) was coming down the street greeting everyone with a song and asking for $2.00. I gave him a $5. He sang us a couple of verses of his song in thanks and then proceeded to tell everyone else about his good fortune as we walked along for a couple blocks. It was humorous.....well maybe you had to be there. I saw the guy a couple times after and he never appeared drunk.
A couple of weeks later a guy was standing in Walgreens with a wine bottle in his hand, obviously drunk, asking for a handout. I passed on him.
The best panhandler story is when I gave a legless guy in a wheelchair $20 bucks. When I walked by him he asked for a buck. I told him I didn't have a buck and crossed the street. My conscience started to bother me, so I walked back across the street. I said "You wanted a buck and I said I didn't have a buck, I wasn't lying, but I do have a $20" and gave it to him. He thanked me profusely, blessed me, spun his wheelchair around and went into the Starbucks that was on the corner. After a couple of seconds for that to sink in, I walked and laughed out loud for about a block. I wondered maybe if the guy never before had the cash to splurge on Starbucks coffee. It was a rich moment.
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I was coming out of Home Depot and headed towards my car today when a panhandler came up to me. He gave me the usual story about him and his wife needing to get to Birmingham (why is it always Birmingham?).
I told him I didn't have any cash, just credit cards. He asked if I could go to an ATM. I said I had to get back to work. He then asked if I could give him a ride to the supermarket (probably another good place to panhandle). I said no. He kept insisting. I finally said okay, but realized as soon as he got in the car that I had put myself in a potentially dangerous situation.
He complimented me on my car, and then said with a car like that, I could afford to give him money. I told him it was ten years old and was paid for nine years ago, and that I didn't have any money. I let him out in the supermarket parking lot, and thanked God that it didn't get any worse than annoying.
I've always been a soft touch for panhandlers. I don't know why, but I'm always mad at myself afterwards, as they probably have more money than me.
[mom] Do you want to end up buried in a shallow grave? 'Cause that's how you end up in a shallow grave[/mom]
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Couple of years ago I was heading home from work outside the metro when this probably 20 something kid claiming to be a college student hit me up for cash. Said his father had had a heart attack and he needed to get back to his dorm.
Just didn't ring true to me (I'm a skeptic), so he asked to use my phone... Nope, sorry, it's a government phone. I did give him a cigarette.
About a month later I was heading home and was at a different metro stop in Virginia, and he hits me up again, with the EXACT SAME STORY.
He didn't recognize me at all. I told him his father should ask the doctors why he was having a heart attack a month, and if he was really on that kind of schedule, maybe the son ought to put some money away for heart attack travel day...
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He complimented me on my car, and then said with a car like that, I could afford to give him money.
I'd likely have tossed him out after pointing out that with all that time to panhandle, he could find some way to earn money.
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The only "panhandler" I ever willingly helped was an older Indian/Bengali/Pakistani guy, probably in his 70s, carrying a bag of groceries, who asked me for a ride back to his house about 2 miles away if I was going his way.
I wasn't, but I had seen him shopping, he had standard groceries, including some perishable stuff, and it was BRUTALLY hot and humid. So I gladly drove him to his place. He thanked me profusely, offered me a soda (which I declined as I had my own perishables), and felt good about it.
I also had .38 in my pants pocket so I wasn't too worried.
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I'd likely have tossed him out after pointing out that with all that time to panhandle, he could find some way to earn money.
Yep. GTFO the car, pal.
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The only "panhandler" I ever willingly helped was an older Indian/Bengali/Pakistani guy, probably in his 70s, carrying a bag of groceries, who asked me for a ride back to his house about 2 miles away if I was going his way.
I've helped out a few who were looking longingly at the McDonalds dollar menu, or had their card declined for $10 worth of gas, (paid for their gas directly, just to be sure) and I've handed food to a few of the "hungry, please help" ones only to get dirty looks in return. (Generally offered them the burger first, and if they weren't appreciative, I had myself an extra drink and fries.) Even thought I'd be mistaken for a taxi after stopping to pick up folks I recognized from my time riding the Dallas buses and trains when I saw they'd missed their regular bus.
I don't mind helping someone out of a momentary issue, but if you're making a career of panhandling and/or welfare, GFY.
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Normally I don't give to panhandlers, as the majority of them IMNSHO are frauds. A few months back after a trip to the Hickory Home Despot, I stopped at the Five Guys across the street for a burger and fries. A young, ragged looking homeless couple hit me up in the parking lot for a few bucks, intimating they wanted to get something to eat. They were very polite in their asking, not rude or pushy at all.
I had just seen them coming out of Five Guys looking a bit dejected, so I thought they might be telling the truth in this case.
I told the couple that I didn't have any cash on me, but offered to buy them lunch there at Five Guys. (I usually don't carry much cash.)
They took me up on it, and were quite grateful.
We walked inside, and after letting the guy behind the counter know their lunch was on me, I told couple not to worry and just order whatever they wanted. They each ordered a good burger and fries combo with a drink and ate like they were genuinely hungry.
I felt pretty good about the whole episode for the rest of the day. My wife said God brought us together just so I could help them out. She's probably right.
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Had one dense *expletive deleted*tard try to beg money off of me twice within 5 minutes...and he's done it twice. All in all, I've run into the guy probably 10-12 times in total now. Always the same schtick, and when I call him out, he just *expletive deleted*ing grins like it's the funniest thing in the world.
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I drive a different way home now and the only thing I hate about it is that it puts me making a left at an intersection where the local panhandlers set up shop everyday. I'm pretty sure they are organized and have a schedule and I know this, not only because of how well they keep the "good spots" occupied with a good rotation but also because one of them is the special needs kid of some of my Dad's friends (whole 'nother horrible story that makes me want to strangle some people) and he was basically one of several that had a panhandler version of a pimp.
Anyway, I really hate them. They stand there and try to force eye contact and if you even glance at them they are likely to approach your car. Plus, I always have my drivers side window at least cracked and, now that it's warmer, I have it down. The other day one came up to talk to me and then got pissy at me because I told him that I was made very uncomfortable by him approaching my car.
Panhandlers are like the ultimate combo of all the things I don't like in strangers. I don't like being ambushed, I don't like being centered out, I generally don't like talking to any stranger and I'm going to say no to them no matter what and I don't like IRL conflict. Plus, I get really antzy around any man that smells like booze unless I know them pretty well.
The only one I ever considered giving money too had a sign that said his spaceship had broken down and he needed money to fix it. That one actually made me laugh but I had a green light. I've seen the same guy again, but he switched signs and the new ones aren't funny.
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I saw a couple in a Walmart parking lot with a huge mofo RV, and not a cheap one, panhandling for gas money.
In Atlanta, at the end of an exit ramp to a posh area, a group of guys will post at different corners, all with "homeless vet" signs. I'm guessing they work as a team, and probably aren't even vets.
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I drive a different way home now and the only thing I hate about it is that it puts me making a left at an intersection where the local panhandlers set up shop everyday. I'm pretty sure they are organized and have a schedule and I know this, not only because of how well they keep the "good spots" occupied with a good rotation but also because one of them is the special needs kid of some of my Dad's friends (whole 'nother horrible story that makes me want to strangle some people) and he was basically one of several that had a panhandler version of a pimp.
Anyway, I really hate them. They stand there and try to force eye contact and if you even glance at them they are likely to approach your car. Plus, I always have my drivers side window at least cracked and, now that it's warmer, I have it down. The other day one came up to talk to me and then got pissy at me because I told him that I was made very uncomfortable by him approaching my car.
Panhandlers are like the ultimate combo of all the things I don't like in strangers. I don't like being ambushed, I don't like being centered out, I generally don't like talking to any stranger and I'm going to say no to them no matter what and I don't like IRL conflict. Plus, I get really antzy around any man that smells like booze unless I know them pretty well.
The only one I ever considered giving money too had a sign that said his spaceship had broken down and he needed money to fix it. That one actually made me laugh but I had a green light. I've seen the same guy again, but he switched signs and the new ones aren't funny.
They absolutely do organize and figure out who is getting what spot. I've witnessed it myself along with having local LE and charity workers tell me that they do this. Eight years in CA has left me numb to panhandlers, all they get from me is "GTF out of my way"
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I figure I ain't smart enough to tell the difference between those who are in real need and those who are grifting me. So I leave it to others to dope it out. I got hit up by panhandlers countless times downtown, so I'm kind of sick of it.
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I've helped out a few who were looking longingly at the McDonalds dollar menu, or had their card declined for $10 worth of gas, (paid for their gas directly, just to be sure) and I've handed food to a few of the "hungry, please help" ones only to get dirty looks in return. (Generally offered them the burger first, and if they weren't appreciative, I had myself an extra drink and fries.) Even thought I'd be mistaken for a taxi after stopping to pick up folks I recognized from my time riding the Dallas buses and trains when I saw they'd missed their regular bus.
I don't mind helping someone out of a momentary issue, but if you're making a career of panhandling and/or welfare, GFY.
Those are a little different. If they're not asking, but you're offering, that's really paying it forward in my mind.
The ones who want food, but then give you a ration of crap, REALLY piss me off.
Had one of those near my office in DC. Black lady, used to swing by a couple of times a month and would ask for money to "get something to eat."
I never carry money (or very little if I do) so I can honestly say sorry, nope. One of the other guys on my contract got hit up (I was outside smoking) and he said he was going to Subway and she should come along and he'd be very happy to buy her a sub...
She got kind of shifty and hesitant, and then said she didn't like Subway, just give her the money instead.
He didn't because we both knew that she wasn't hungry for food... she wanted some cash to hit up the liquor store that was a block down the street.
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The one that really bugged me was the older guy who was sitting outside the metro stop where I got off.
Never asked anyone for anything (unlike the one who came up to me and demanded $20 one day), just sat at the top of the stairs with a sign that said "Disabled WW II Vet. Please help."
I always wondered if he was what he claimed to be, but in this day and age, I just don't trust anyone anymore. I help the service organizations like Salvation Army and the like, but I'm just not inclined to help individuals anymore. Supposedly in the DC area a significant number of them are outright frauds.
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I had one on Christmas Eve desperate. DESPERATE I TELL YOU! To get to his daughters in Atlanta two hours away and if I could pleassssse spare just five bucks for gas?
I offered to swipe my card and fill his tank, little car so probably would have been pretty cheap. Oddly enough a full tank of gas wasn't going to help him more than five bucks in cash. He started with some attitude and he got the hint when I told him to get lost.
I hate panhandlers. What I hate even more are frauds. And nine times out of ten it seems the two are one in the same.
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. . . Anyway, I really hate them. They stand there and try to force eye contact and if you even glance at them they are likely to approach your car. Plus, I always have my drivers side window at least cracked and, now that it's warmer, I have it down. The other day one came up to talk to me and then got pissy at me because I told him that I was made very uncomfortable by him approaching my car . . .
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Austin, TX has plenty of pan handlers. One of my "favorites" was the woman who was continuously and uninterruptedly 8 months pregnant for 3 straight years. :O
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As in past topics on the subject, my opinion hasn't changed. Like Mike, barring being absolutely sure about the veracity of an individual panhandler, I give my money to the Salvation Army and similar. Any panhandler that is truly starving can go there and get a meal, no problem.
I don't mind panhandlers who just sit there with a sign and don't bother anyone. Like Liz, I. CANNOT. STAND. the "gimme money" people that get in your face and follow you. I'm pretty big and often look angry, so I don't have a problem with the following, but I can see how uncomfortable that would make Liz and many others.
I've mentioned before the homeless guy that used to sit at the Santa Barbara harbor. He was one of the okay ones who just sat with a sign reading a book. People often brought him meals. He also, usually a couple of times of day, had to empty out his money jar because it got full, so I think he was making a pretty good living.
I used to get a kick out of offering gas or food to the people asking me for that - a couple of times when they had a gas can in their hands - and listening to their excuses about why money would be more helpful (I didn't give them any). I don't have the time for that anymore. I have a lot more respect for the people with shopping carts looking for cans and bottles - at least they're trying to make a living.
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In my job, I have a fair amount of interaction with local law enforcement and social service agencies. They consistently tell me that the majority of the local panhandlers are doing it for money to buy drugs, most commonly heroin. Since I am seeing these same people in my clinics for medical/dental care, I agree.
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Now let's talk about the people who feel obligated to help panhandlers...
Many years ago I was in DC for something, and was walking up to a metro (panhandlers used to really congregate around the metro; still do, but not as much anymore, I think many have moved to street corners).
This guy was sitting there, and I have no doubt that he was both homeless AND more than a little nuts. He was authentic, and he both stank of the street and insanity.
This probably middle 50ish woman, short, fat, very plain, clothes that made it pretty apparent that she was a hippy survivor of the late 1960s early 1970s, rushes up to him with cash and hand.
To my dying day I'll remember exactly what she said --- "Oh you poor man, may I be PERMITTED to help you?"
I've always had the gut feeling that if you were to really sit down and talk with her, it would have been an endless litany of what today is known as white privilege having abused this poor, noble man (because of racism!) and forced him onto the streets because evil white male oppressor conservatives...
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In the late 1980s I was regularly going to visit my now ex-wife in New York. I'd often take the train, which required jumping from Penn Station to Grand Central via cab.
There were always tons of guys standing around the tax stands waiting to hold the doors to the cabs for you for a tip. OK, no big deal, they were pleasant.
Once you got into Grand Central, though, it was like a gauntlet.
My ex-MIL had a guy come up to her, demand money, and when she refused he got REALLY loud and aggressive, right in the middle of the concourse. I got in between them and was trying to back us off, really thinking I was going to get hurt, when security came in and nabbed the guy.
Supposedly that white oppressor privilege bastard Giuliania really cracked down on aggressive panhandling in NYC, especially Grand Central, when he was mayor.
Once my ex met me at Grand Central and she surprised me by taking me to dinner at the Oyster Bar. It was tasty, it was pretty expensive, but overall it was a really neat experience. Unfortunately, getting to it required walking down a corridor that was essentially vacant except for the Oyster Bar. And when the bar was closed, it was apparently the toilet for the pan handlers. The reek of piss, with a strong undercurrent of *expletive deleted*it, was just nasty.
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Oh, do I have beggar stories.
With the exception of my solo trip to Las Vegas a year and a half ago, I don't hand out cash any more. ( I was just in a really happy and generous mood. Vegas will do that to you).
One late night at a gas station just outside of Detroit, a 30-something woman pulled up to a pump while I was putting gas in my car. She claimed to be pregnant, that her boyfriend kicked her out, and she needed gas to get to her parents' house. I suspected she might have been full of crap, but I offered to put $5 in her tank. I walked into the store and paid the clerk $5 for the pump where she parked. As I was walking out, she walked in and said "I wonder if they have a bathroom here." What she really did was ask the clerk for the $5. He said no, that she had to put the gas in her car. I learned this because I went back in to buy a drink, and the clerk says she does this all the time.
Another time, at a nearby gas station, there was a disheveled looking man holding a 2 gallon gas can loitering in the lot. He asked for a few bucks so he could buy gas, and I gave it to him. He didn't even wait until I left; he started asking other people for a few bucks for gas, within clear earshot of me.
This third one is a bit different. Bright sunny day, probably 70 degrees out. I had just parked my truck at a local grocery store. Within seconds of exiting my truck, a man drove up to me on an electric scooter, quickly enough that it caught me off guard. I ordered him to stop and moved my hand near my concealed pistol. He looked to be in his 40s and seemed to be quite able-bodied. He then told me the battery was dead on his scooter (clearly it was not) and that he needed a ride two miles to his house. He could have easily walked it home. I declined and went on my way.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I worked as a valet. The company I worked for had several accounts, including one where nobody ever wanted to work: The Pretty Woman at 7 mile and Van Dyke in Detroit. It was bad. All evening, I'd have people walking by trying to sell drugs or stolen merchandise. Fortunately, I rarely got stuck working there. So this big black dude came walking by, trying to get me to give him a dollar. He was clearly high on something. After refusing him several times, he said "I tell you what. You just give it to me to hold on to, and when my white woman comes to pick me up across the street, I'll give it back." ??? :lol:
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Many years ago I was in DC for something, and was walking up to a metro (panhandlers used to really congregate around the metro; still do, but not as much anymore, I think many have moved to street corners).
I can't remember which stops anymore, but man, I remember it used to be really bad at the metro with the aggressive panhandling, especially at night. I can't help but think much of that was enabled by people like my liberal girlfriend at the time who lived there and acted like paying them was as normal as paying your electric bill. Sometimes it was easier just to take the damn taxi. :laugh:
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I can't remember which stops anymore, but man, I remember it used to be really bad at the metro with the aggressive panhandling, especially at night. I can't help but think much of that was enabled by people like my liberal girlfriend at the time who lived there and acted like paying them was as normal as paying your electric bill. Sometimes it was easier just to take the damn taxi. :laugh:
Du Pont Circle was particularly bad. I think that's where that incident might have happened, because I think I was down there on a job interview or visiting a friend who worked in the area at the time.
Woodley Park, the one for the National Zoo, was also quite bad, as the panhandlers figure they're hitting up families on an outing, and the last thing Mom and Dad want to do is be aholes in front of their little ones...
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I've been to DC twice in my life, once on a middle school honor roll trip, and again on a solo trip just over two years ago. I remember panhandlers EVERYWHERE on the first trip. They lined the national mall, most of them shaking cups with change. I only encountered handful of them on my second trip. One lady just kept repeating "penny for a sandwich?" to passersby. I responded "Lady, if sandwiches cost a penny here, I'm moving!" I didn't give her anything. I did give some pocket change to a beggar in a wheelchair, but only because my phone was brand new and I didn't want the coins to scratch it.
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I won't give them money. A few times I've considered doing the whole homeless person kit (little ziplock baggie with useful items for hygiene and such) and around Christmas I got some Starbucks giftcards and almost stopped to get coffee and just hand it out as I went down the road, but since I have no interest in having hot coffee thrown back in my face or something like that, I decided not to.
Besides, I'm not exactly that much higher on the financial totem pole and I really don't have a few bucks to spare anyway.
As far as I can see, there are resources out there (at least around here) and if they want real help to actually get out of their situation utilizing those resources is going to get them much further than asking for money on the street corner. If I give them money, I enable their behavior. It's their right to live the way they want and make the choices they make, but I don't have to support it.
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Declaration day remarked,
"I didn't give her anything. I did give some pocket change to a beggar in a wheelchair, but only because my phone was brand new and I didn't want the coins to scratch it."
There, see? Enlightened self-interest.
There were times in my life where any given beggar's net worth was probably bigger than mine.
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Years ago a guy came up to me in downtown Milwaukee. He told me he had been a teacher, but lost his job, his wife and family, all because of his drinking. He said that if I gave him money, he would use it to go and drink. I thought that was novel, so I gave him a couple of bucks.
I've read that panhandlers can make pretty good money.
I remember just a few years ago the San Francisco city council was debating a bill to give panhandlers credit card terminals so they could get more money.
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the San Francisco city council was debating a bill to give panhandlers credit card terminals so they could get more money.
:facepalm:
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I'm reminded of the Sherlock Holmes story where a rich man turns out to be a beggar because he made so much more money doing that than his "respectable" job.
The scamming is, apparently, an old problem.
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Westword, a fairly decent weekly hereabouts did a survey about ten years ago and found an average income from panhandling was about 30 grand. So that's about 40K nowadays, less a guessed 10% bragging factor, that makes 34 K for nowadays.
Taaaaax freeeeeee.
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Then you hear the stories about the panhandler who leaves his "station," walks a couple of blocks, and gets into a luxury car to drive home.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2832002/Mercedes-Benz-beggar-confronted-panhandling-time-carrying-newborn-child-DENIED-owning-luxury-car.html
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This one's even better...
http://pix11.com/2014/10/03/man-goes-off-on-elderly-panhandler-after-seeing-her-get-into-new-car/
Hey, she's got a permit! She's not doing anything wrong!
And that, folks, is why I'll help organizations, but not individuals.
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The last time I was approached by a beggar, I didn't have to say a word. It was late at night at a gas station. He came walking up to me and I gave him a look warning him not to get any closer. He stopped and said he was just going to ask for money to put gas in his car because blah-blah-blah. I looked at my car (old beat-up but reliable work horse), I looked at his car (a lot newer and shinier), and then I looked at him. He slunk away.
I also don't believe in giving panhandlers money, but I will feed them if I feel like it...and their dogs too, if they have one. I've yet to run into a beggar with a cat.
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Yeah, there was one at the intersection of Kipling and I-70 every day. One day it started to rain as I waited at a traffic light and he packed up his sign and walked toward the parking lot and got in a tricked-out shiny new pickup truck.
As I said, I ain't smart enough to tell the difference between the genuinely needy and the grifters, so I don't give anything to panhandlers any more.
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Panhandlers used to be part of the quirkiness of KW. The city established two spots in the city where they can beg. Cops began arresting them for panhandling and one of them sued the city for violating his constitutional right to beg as it was an abridgement of his free speech. The court agreed so the city created the Designated Begging Zone. Another diminishing of the KW flavor but creating another.
One guy used to walk around in a huge box with holes cut out for arms and legs. He wrote across the front of the box...."Will work for clothes." Another guy used to sit on the curb with a sign that said, "I ain't gonna kid ya, I just want the money for beer." Another guy used to sit in the alcove of a doorway of a closed store with a bowl and a sign asking for money. One day, he slid back deeper into the doorway and was eating a sub sandwich. I guy walked up and threw a couple bucks into his bowl. The beggar yelled at the guy, "What the hell do you think your doing, can't you see I'm on my lunch break?"
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Couple of years ago I was heading home from work outside the metro when this probably 20 something kid claiming to be a college student hit me up for cash. Said his father had had a heart attack and he needed to get back to his dorm.
Just didn't ring true to me (I'm a skeptic), so he asked to use my phone... Nope, sorry, it's a government phone. I did give him a cigarette.
About a month later I was heading home and was at a different metro stop in Virginia, and he hits me up again, with the EXACT SAME STORY.
He didn't recognize me at all. I told him his father should ask the doctors why he was having a heart attack a month, and if he was really on that kind of schedule, maybe the son ought to put some money away for heart attack travel day...
Panhandler in the parking area of a gun show did the same thing on consecutive days to me. I told him his story was better the first time. I have resolved to nevereverever give a dime to anyone I don't know.
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Panhandlers used to be part of the quirkiness of KW. The city established two spots in the city where they can beg. Cops began arresting them for panhandling and one of them sued the city for violating his constitutional right to beg as it was an abridgement of his free speech. The court agreed so the city created the Designated Begging Zone. Another diminishing of the KW flavor but creating another.
One guy used to walk around in a huge box with holes cut out for arms and legs. He wrote across the front of the box...."Will work for clothes." Another guy used to sit on the curb with a sign that said, "I ain't gonna kid ya, I just want the money for beer." Another guy used to sit in the alcove of a doorway of a closed store with a bowl and a sign asking for money. One day, he slid back deeper into the doorway and was eating a sub sandwich. I guy walked up and threw a couple bucks into his bowl. The beggar yelled at the guy, "What the hell do you think your doing, can't you see I'm on my lunch break?"
Assuming KW is Key West?
The "quirky" panhandlers are at least entertaining.
There was a guy panhandling outside the Foggy Bottom metro (stop for George Washington University and the Department of State) a couple of years ago when I was heading home from work.
"WHO CAN SPARE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS? ANYONE? HOW ABOUT A MILLION? WHO CAN SPARE A BILLION DOLLARS TO HELP A POOR MAN OUT TODAY?"
He was at least amusing.
Then there are the ones who would ambush you while you were on the metro, completely captive.
It got to the point for awhile that I'd always carry headphones with me and stick them in my ears and plug them into my phone whether I was actually listening to them or not (most often not).
Then I'd close my eyes and count the stops until I had to get off.
Worked 99% of the time.
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Then there are the ones who would ambush you while you were on the metro, completely captive.
It got to the point for awhile that I'd always carry headphones with me and stick them in my ears and plug them into my phone whether I was actually listening to them or not (most often not).
Then I'd close my eyes and count the stops until I had to get off.
Worked 99% of the time.
You're lucky one of them didn't just grab your phone while your eyes were closed, and boogie.
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I don't think I have any good stories. I would just say that most every time I have given more than spare change directly to someone begging I have regretted it because I either knew or figured they were lying. These people make a profession of begging and doing whatever it takes to get people to part with money. I would rather give charity to groups like the Salvation Army or Texas Children's Hospital. I have more confidence they will do something worthwhile with it even if the same panhandlers are hitting them up also.
On the beggar pimps, from what I have heard nearly all the panhandlers around Houston are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the evening. I imagine they are rotated around a bit also.
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I seem to remember almost thinking the same thing a while back when I drove through a very small town near my parent's home. There were Lion's Club (?) guys at the cross roads (no stop lights in that town) asking for donations. =D
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Last time I gave money to a beggar, I had to applaud his technique. I'm quite impressed at how adept they become at manipulating people. (He started off with a veiled accusation that I was racist: "You don't have a problem with black people, do you?" GREAT way to put the mark on the defensive without outright accusing them. I was seriously in awe of how useful that tactic must be.)
I have to wonder if it's instinct or if it's taught to them.
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You're lucky one of them didn't just grab your phone while your eyes were closed, and boogie.
Never held it in my hand. Kept it in my messenger bag or my pocket.
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Last time I gave money to a beggar, I had to applaud his technique. I'm quite impressed at how adept they become at manipulating people. (He started off with a veiled accusation that I was racist: "You don't have a problem with black people, do you?" GREAT way to put the mark on the defensive without outright accusing them. I was seriously in awe of how useful that tactic must be.)
I have to wonder if it's instinct or if it's taught to them.
Oh, I've gotten that line before.
I just ignore it and walk on.
Let's be realistic... if he starts going on about what a racist I am for not giving him money, no one is going to give a *expletive deleted*it because:
1. Chances are good they know he's a begger and
2. They're just glad that someone else is the center of attention.
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"Yes, I am" and keep going. Do you really care what he thinks? I think that would just tick me off.
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Oh, I've gotten that line before.
I just ignore it and walk on.
Let's be realistic... if he starts going on about what a racist I am for not giving him money, no one is going to give a *expletive deleted*it because:
1. Chances are good they know he's a begger and
2. They're just glad that someone else is the center of attention.
Oh, I'm aware of the proper response, but I was still impressed by it, as it was the first time I'd encountered it. Good psychological manipulation for ensuring the mark listens a little longer.
It loses it's value as the mark is exposed to it more, but for the unsuspecting (I'm assuming these beggars aren't betting on repeat "business"), it's quite effective.
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These leaches would hang around the bus station near the base where bootcamp was and hit up the fresh boots with the "help a vet" tact. I had one get all up in my face and threaten me when I called his *expletive deleted*it. He never touched me. It probably had something to do with being a large, fit 18 year old who was smiling the whole time like he thought a fight would be fun. Yes, at the time, I was hoping he'd make the first move. >:D
I'm feeling MUCH better now (https://youtu.be/3SnGU6Jtxc0). Meds and life will do that for you... ;/
:old:
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These leaches would hang around the bus station near the base where bootcamp was and hit up the fresh boots with the "help a vet" tact.
Punk-ass whippersnappers not willing to help out a fellow vet...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKtjBqJ4NxA
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Oh, the aggressive ones do not know how close they've come to getting punched with me.
Back when I was in my late teens and hanging out on the Downtown Mall, one of the drunk ones got too close to me for comfort while trying to wheedle money and I snapped in his face "Get the *expletive deleted*ck back!" Even the girls with me were surprised at how nasty I got. It actually upset them and they got on my case later about it.
I then told them off for being naive and oblivious to the potential dangers of letting a drunken homeless person get that close to their helpless asses.
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You let a bum into your car? Do you have a death wish?
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Oh, the aggressive ones do not know how close they've come to getting punched with me.
Back when I was in my late teens and hanging out on the Downtown Mall, one of the drunk ones got too close to me for comfort while trying to wheedle money and I snapped in his face "Get the *expletive deleted*ck back!" Even the girls with me were surprised at how nasty I got. It actually upset them and they got on my case later about it.
I then told them off for being naive and oblivious to the potential dangers of letting a drunken homeless person get that close to their helpless asses.
I know a nice Canadian lady, married to an American, and she's lived on both sides of the border over the past few decades. They just moved back to hubby's old stomping grounds, North St. Louis County. She hasn't yet learned to stick to the southern/western parts of the neighborhood, so she was at the Aldi's store over by our neck of the concrete jungle. Alone. At closing time, in the parking lot. She let a panhandler get nice and close, and he kissed her on the cheek.
:facepalm:
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Panhandlers used to be part of the quirkiness of KW (Key West). The city established two spots in the city where they can beg. Cops began arresting them for panhandling and one of them sued the city for violating his constitutional right to beg as it was an abridgement of his free speech. The court agreed so the city created the Designated Begging Zone. Another diminishing of the KW flavor but creating another.
One guy used to walk around in a huge box with holes cut out for arms and legs. He wrote across the front of the box...."Will work for clothes." Another guy used to sit on the curb with a sign that said, "I ain't gonna kid ya, I just want the money for beer." Another guy used to sit in the alcove of a doorway of a closed store with a bowl and a sign asking for money. One day, he slid back deeper into the doorway and was eating a sub sandwich. I guy walked up and threw a couple bucks into his bowl. The beggar yelled at the guy, "What the hell do you think your doing, can't you see I'm on my lunch break?"
"... lunch break..."
LULZ
"The court agreed so the city created the Designated Begging Zone. Another diminishing of the KW flavor but creating another."
Isn't that still a violation of their free speech rights anyhow?
The way I see it, a limited fundamental right is still an "abridgement" or "restriction" or "curtailment."
Or "infringement."
Oh, wait.... "reasonable." I forgot.
Parallels? Analogs? Parables? >:D
Terry, 230RN
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It got to the point for awhile that I'd always carry headphones with me and stick them in my ears and plug them into my phone whether I was actually listening to them or not (most often not).
In Dallas, I usually didn't even bother plugging them into anything; just stick the plug end into an inside pocket.
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"... lunch break..."
LULZ
"The court agreed so the city created the Designated Begging Zone. Another diminishing of the KW flavor but creating another."
Isn't that still a violation of their free speech rights anyhow?
The way I see it, a limited fundamental right is still an "abridgement" or "restriction" or "curtailment."
Or "infringement."
Oh, wait.... "reasonable." I forgot.
Parallels? Analogs? Parables? >:D
Terry, 230RN
The two "official" begging zones are by parking areas with a lot of foot traffic. One by Mallory Square where they have an entertainment circus every night and the tourists watch the sunset. The other is on Caroline St. near the KW Bight. Lots of people. I suppose the beggars are happy with those areas. Been no squawking that I know of. Then there are "unofficial beggars". They sit along Duval St in Old Town. Most of them appear to play instruments or have other things to exchange for money. One guy is dressed as Darth Vader and plays the banjo. He must do OK as he's been there doing that for years. Two mimes stand on crates dressed as Elvis. One male one female.
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Westword, a fairly decent weekly hereabouts did a survey about ten years ago and found an average income from panhandling was about 30 grand. So that's about 40K nowadays, less a guessed 10% bragging factor, that makes 34 K for nowadays.
Taaaaax freeeeeee.
10% off of 40k is 34k?
(Sorry, my math OCD was twitching and I had to respond)
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Isn't that still a violation of their free speech rights anyhow?
Welcome to New America. Free Speech Zones first popped up during Bush's election, IIRC. SCOTUS says it is legal, so be it.
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Welcome to New America. Free Speech Zones first popped up during Bush's election, IIRC. SCOTUS says it is legal, so be it.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xohzz1_lindseys-cage-dance_fun
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Me:
Westword, a fairly decent weekly hereabouts did a survey about ten years ago and found an average income from panhandling was about 30 grand. So that's about 40K nowadays, less a guessed 10% bragging factor, that makes 34 K for nowadays.
Taaaaax freeeeeee.
10% off of 40k is 34k?
(Sorry, my math OCD was twitching and I had to respond)
It is if you have fat fingers. OK, OK, ~$36K. Even more tax free. ( Denver requires a begging license of some sort, and without actually knowing, I'd guess there's an income reporting thing in that paperwork somewhere.) But thanks for the correction, and may it be my worst mistake of the week.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xohzz1_lindseys-cage-dance_fun
Heh.
Terry
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Last time I gave to a "beggar" was 10 -12 years ago. DW and I were on a night drive & stopped at a rest stop. Young man, with an older guy in the background, said they were on their way to Phoenix and had run out of gas. They wanted a ride to the next gas station down the road. Uh, no, that ain't gonna happen.
DW & I talked about it a bit and decided to buy a gas can, fill it with gas and take it back to them. We weren't in a hurry and, what the hell, if worse came to worse & they weren't there we'd have a new gas can. Turns out they were still there and really were out of gas. The kid offered to pay but I couldn't remember how much it had cost.
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Last time I gave to a "beggar" was 10 -12 years ago. DW and I were on a night drive & stopped at a rest stop. Young man, with an older guy in the background, said they were on their way to Phoenix and had run out of gas. They wanted a ride to the next gas station down the road. Uh, no, that ain't gonna happen.
Done it before, but I have a general rule of only one rider, and only if I have room to keep them where I or a trusted passenger can keep an eye on them. Not too worried about a guy in the passenger seat doing anything when I have a buddy in the back seat with his hand resting on a .357. Of course, I also generally carry tools and at least an empty can in any vehicle I drive, and sometimes full, so I don't have to haul the stranded folks for most minor stuff.
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Welcome to New America. Free Speech Zones first popped up during Bush's election, IIRC. SCOTUS says it is legal, so be it.
Considering that was the beginning of the paid "protestors" trying to disrupt events of the opposition, I don't really see the issue. They get to be on camera making noise without actually mobbing the event.
For this, is begging really part of free speech? If they just stand off and ask, I can see that. The more annoying ones usually go further than that.
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Wikipedia says that the first formalized "free speech zone" was set up during the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta... They called it a protest zone or some such.
I THINK, but I'm not certain, that some colleges had set up petition areas during the 1984 Presidential election when pro/anti Reagan students and also slightly later when anti-aparthied protesters started demonstrating more vocally.
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most of the time they are scamming, I'm pretty good at knowing who's who due to being down some hard roads myself.
One time I instinctively turned a kid down and felt terrible because afterwards I realized he was legit.
In cooler weather I buy a big bag of those little hersheys bars and offer one or two in lieu of cash - it brings me and them joy.
Most guys who need a handout will never ever panhandle.
I had said a prayer on my way into Phoenix the first time, I needed to go to church and an AA meeting to get my 21yr chip.
I had only a half tank of gas and not enough to get back - but i had to go.
I was in the gas station counting my change-i had 8 dollars in coins and used it - a guy I came up to me and handed me a 20 to get some gas!
Prayer can be effective - but the AA meeting didn't have a 21 yr chip, DOH!
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I know a nice Canadian lady, married to an American, and she's lived on both sides of the border over the past few decades. They just moved back to hubby's old stomping grounds, North St. Louis County. She hasn't yet learned to stick to the southern/western parts of the neighborhood, so she was at the Aldi's store over by our neck of the concrete jungle. Alone. At closing time, in the parking lot. She let a panhandler get nice and close, and he kissed her on the cheek.
:facepalm:
My grandmother used to tell us that the Lord watches over fools and little children. The problem is that there are so many of both that sometimes the Lord is too busy watching over the little children to save all the fools from their foolishness.
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Two mimes stand on crates dressed as Elvis. One male one female.
??? How does a crate dress as Elvis? Elvis (toward the end) was more roundish, not cubical.
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most of the time they are scamming, I'm pretty good at knowing who's who due to being down some hard roads myself.
One time I instinctively turned a kid down and felt terrible because afterwards I realized he was legit.
In cooler weather I buy a big bag of those little hersheys bars and offer one or two in lieu of cash - it brings me and them joy.
Most guys who need a handout will never ever panhandle.
I had said a prayer on my way into Phoenix the first time, I needed to go to church and an AA meeting to get my 21yr chip.
I had only a half tank of gas and not enough to get back - but i had to go.
I was in the gas station counting my change-i had 8 dollars in coins and used it - a guy I came up to me and handed me a 20 to get some gas!
Prayer can be effective - but the AA meeting didn't have a 21 yr chip, DOH!
Quoted and bolded for truthyness
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^
I can tell you've never been laid off as a white male at the age of 48 right after a divorce.
With child support payments.
Was sore tempted to beg at the time, except I had no special disabilities or qualifications beyond having been laid off as a white male at the age of 48 right after a divorce.
With child support payments.
Nowadays I can't tell the difference between legit beggars and grifters, and too many of them are too aggressive, so I'm reluctant to give willy-nilly.
When I was flush, I used to give through my church to specific verifiably hard-luck individuals or families.
I'd give X bucks to the church Treasurer and he'd get a check in that amount to them so I'd know the money was appropriately directed, and they'd think it was from the church itself. Nobody but Pastor and the Treasurer knew about this, and there was none of the established charity overhead except for the cost of the paper check. Oh, and the gas the Treasurer used to get to their place to deliver the check. (And do some proselytising.)
Like politics, all charity should be local.
I am no longer a member of any church, so that avenue is closed to me nowadays.
I'm not signing this one so nobody will know which philanthropist posted it. :D :angel:
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^
I can tell you've never been laid off as a white male at the age of 48 right after a divorce.
With child support payments.
Was sore tempted to beg at the time, except I had no special disabilities or qualifications beyond having been laid off as a white male at the age of 48 right after a divorce.
With child support payments.
Nowadays I can't tell the difference between legit beggars and grifters, and too many of them are too aggressive, so I'm reluctant to give willy-nilly.
When I was flush, I used to give through my church to specific verifiably hard-luck individuals or families.
I'd give X bucks to the church Treasurer and he'd get a check in that amount to them so I'd know the money was appropriately directed, and they'd think it was from the church itself. Nobody but Pastor and the Treasurer knew about this, and there was none of the established charity overhead except for the cost of the paper check. Oh, and the gas the Treasurer used to get to their place to deliver the check. (And do some proselytising.)
Like politics, all charity should be local.
I am no longer a member of any church, so that avenue is closed to me nowadays.
I'm not signing this one so nobody will know which philanthropist posted it. :D :angel:
Very much agree. The big FedGov and even the smaller StateGov's are too big and too far away to know if charity is really needed and far too many people seem to think scamming the big government is just taking free money. Also, I think many people think since they are paying for welfare and such through taxes, why do they need to give more direct to charity?
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Very much agree. The big FedGov and even the smaller StateGov's are too big and too far away to know if charity is really needed and far too many people seem to think scamming the big government is just taking free money. Also, I think many people think since they are paying for welfare and such through taxes, why do they need to give more direct to charity?
For me, it's more about what I can afford to give. I give less than I otherwise might because gov takes my money and gives it to the people they think deserve charity, leaving me less money to give to the people that I think deserve charity.
To some extent, I'm also getting a little disillusioned with the Salvation Army. It used to be I could donate online and easily choose where my money went. I generally did 25% to local community programs and 75% to disaster relief. Now they default to sending my money to the local SA and I've been a bit unhappy with that because based on the "you're donation is helping" letters they send out, they seem to use a majority of their local donation money to help drug addicts.
If someone wants to give to that, fine with me, but cold-hearted or not, I don't. Drugs are a choice. You got yourself into them, while there are other people who have simply had really bad luck, even though they've worked to make good choices. Those are the people I prefer to help with my charity money. Hence also my preference for disaster relief. I've seen the SA work in that situation and that's what got me to donate the majority of my contributions to them. They make every dollar stretch with low administration. The people who instantly lost everything to some natural disaster are also the people I most believe in giving a leg up.
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Back when I worked in the city, there was a group of panhandlers at Cermak and Cicero off the Eisenhower. Each (and a "couple", not sure if married or not) working each street in both directions, walking in and out of traffic as the lights changed. I never gave them a dime as it was the same people day after day after day...
Then, one day the couple acquired a wheelchair and would take turns pushing each other in it (through traffic), better marketing I guess. Total Bullshit. It was highlarious to watch them Fred Flintstones themselves when they were done begging for the day, and headed "home" down the side street past our building.
Now that I work in Hoffman there are there guys that "work" the exit off the Eisenhower at Higgins Rd. One works the off ramp while the other two work both directions of Higgens Rd. It was funny the day that the Schaumburg police gave everyone the bums rush and busted up the tent city that they had setup under the trees behind the "Village of Schaumburg" rocks in this picture (hopefully it works) https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0366884,-88.0297213,3a,75y,336.68h,86.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUmU4QhtibcrMMqAB9bimAQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0366884,-88.0297213,3a,75y,336.68h,86.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUmU4QhtibcrMMqAB9bimAQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
Sorry, but I don't give to panhandlers. Now the buskers playing buckets or other musicians playing instruments outside of White Sox games may get my spare change or a buck or two. At least they are doing something to try to earn it.
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the last time i was truly homeless it was so embarrassing i kept my mouth shut.
I lost the pay by the week dump because San Francisco towed my motorcycle and i was a motorcycle messenger, i could keep my job if i paid the fines/fees or pay for rent and attempt to navigate the homeless shelter to welfare hotel and leave the bike to rot.
I chose keep job and bike.
A guy i knew in AA landed a job helping homeless people, i asked him for help but i would have had to quite my job! :mad:
So, I was homeless but not qualified for assistance due to having a job.
you have to be on welfare and in the system to receive aid - i worked, paid 30 bucks a month for storage to keep my clothes and washed up in bathrooms at work/starbucks , changed my clothes every day and didn't "look" homeless or associate with them.
Most "homeless" are drug addled idiots on welfare, living in welfare hotels or homeless shelters.
I would never step foot in a homeless shelter ...
A metal detectors, no guns or knives ( yeah, with the folks I see around those places I know I'll need a gun or knife )
B tuberculosis, bed bugs, etc
I have been hungry and homeless and strongly considered asking for change at a gas station, when I got there I just couldn't
Once, I had just gotten a job and paid my rent but my first real paycheck was 2 weeks out, I sold my tools cheap at gas stations to buy gas and "donated" plasma
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I do give to Fisher House, Friends of Scouting (Boy Scouts), Girl Scout Cookies. "Stuff" goes to Vietnam Veterans and not Goodwill as they throw away any Scout uniforms rather then selling them or giving them to a local unit or two to recycle. Plus it's a "for-profit" disguised as a not-for profit. A pox on them. Same with the Red Cross. I saw any number of soldiers screwed over by them while in Germany. I hope they die screaming in a fire...
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"Disabled WW II Vet. Please help."
Really? Anyone who was 20 when that war ended would be 92 now. Counting on people's historical ignorance?
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Really? Anyone who was 20 when that war ended would be 92 now. Counting on people's historical ignorance?
I never said how old he was, or how old he appeared to be.
He did, in fact, appear to be old enough to have fought in the war.
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Then, one day the couple acquired a wheelchair and would take turns pushing each other in it (through traffic), better marketing I guess.
This is why I still support my idea of how to fix some of the fraud laws; if you falsely claim a disability in order to obtain money or other benefits, you should be given that disability as punishment. Since they were both making the claim, both get it. Since they weren't specifying what the actual disability was, then the court should roll some dice to choose any disability that prevents one from walking.
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I do give to Fisher House, Friends of Scouting (Boy Scouts), Girl Scout Cookies. "Stuff" goes to Vietnam Veterans and not Goodwill as they throw away any Scout uniforms rather then selling them or giving them to a local unit or two to recycle. Plus it's a "for-profit" disguised as a not-for profit. A pox on them. Same with the Red Cross. I saw any number of soldiers screwed over by them while in Germany. I hope they die screaming in a fire...
oooh, I have heard similar before, but only about goodwill - goodwill has some good deals though, all my clothes are still in storage in reno so until i get back there to get the rest of my stuff i have been doing the thrift store thing
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In the halcyon days of my youth, Goodwill Industries was about teaching useful trades to persons with disabilities. For example, they were happy to take in old, battered furniture like sofas and easy chairs, because they taught people the upholstery trade and old furniture donations gave them the raw materials to work with/on.
And then, somewhere along the way, they stopped doing job training and became just a chain of thrift stores. Given my druthers, I prefer to donate useful articles and clothing to the Salvation Army. The problem is that I have east access to three Goodwill stores, but the only Salvation Army store and drop-off is miles away in a direction I don't usually travel. The Salvation Army used to have a clothing drop container at the transfer station in my town, but that disappeared about six months ago. I try to save stuff to make a trip to the Salvation Army store worthwhile, but sometimes I just get lazy and drop a few items off at Goodwill.
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About the only thing Goodwill is good for around here is a convenient place to drop off electronics for recycle. They do have a great business model though, obtain items for free, pay people minimum wage to clean, sort, etc. and then place it back on the floor for sale. I would imagine they get tax breaks for employing the marginally employable and just because of who they are with other taxes. Let's not forget the volunteers that also work there, the best kind of employee, a free one.
bob
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Also I've noticed an increasing trend, at least at my local Goodwill store, if items being priced laughably high for a thrift store.
We've got some local thrift stores that are MUCH better, and on the rare occasion I have something to donate I usually give it to them.
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"Also I've noticed an increasing trend, at least at my local Goodwill store, if items being priced laughably high for a thrift store."
Oh, it's not just your Goodwill store.
My Mother was in the book and antique business for many years, and often scored some decent stuff from Goodwill.
Then, maybe 10 to 15 years ago Goodwill decided that it was also in the antique business, and prices started to jump, especially on their online stuff.
Problem is, they were charging antique prices for stuff that's absolute crap.
Last time I was in a Goodwill store was maybe 4 years ago. I needed a couple of cheap blankets for something, I forget what...
Stained, frayed, torn blankets/coverlets that would have cost maybe $50 new were priced at $80 and up.
I saw a couple of Reader's Digest condensed books.... $15 EACH.
I've never bothered going back.
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. . . Same with the Red Cross. I saw any number of soldiers screwed over by them while in Germany. I hope they die screaming in a fire...
My Dad and two uncles - all WWII vets - could hardly mention the Red Cross without profanity.
As for Goodwill . . . the best thing about them is they'll take in old electronics for recycling and provide receipts for anything you drop off - useful for documenting modest non-cash charitable donations if you itemize your taxes.
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Problem is, they were charging antique prices for stuff that's absolute crap.
Depends on the region and the individual store, I think. The one in Granbury rarely has any good appliances, and a lot of their menswear is 20-50% more than the Weatherford one, while Weatherford was the source for my $6 bread machine and $11 countertop convection oven, as well as a lot of my $18-25 suits in excellent condition. (To the point I think some were worn once, possibly for the wearer's own funeral since the hang tags were still in a couple of them.)
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"Also I've noticed an increasing trend, at least at my local Goodwill store, if items being priced laughably high for a thrift store."
Oh, it's not just your Goodwill store.
My Mother was in the book and antique business for many years, and often scored some decent stuff from Goodwill.
Then, maybe 10 to 15 years ago Goodwill decided that it was also in the antique business, and prices started to jump, especially on their online stuff.
Problem is, they were charging antique prices for stuff that's absolute crap.
Last time I was in a Goodwill store was maybe 4 years ago. I needed a couple of cheap blankets for something, I forget what...
Stained, frayed, torn blankets/coverlets that would have cost maybe $50 new were priced at $80 and up.
I saw a couple of Reader's Digest condensed books.... $15 EACH.
I've never bothered going back.
Do they give a donation receipt when you buy something?
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Do they give a donation receipt when you buy something?
They don't here, you do get a receipt though. I deduct the sales tax on my Fed taxes at the end of the year.
bob
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They don't here, you do get a receipt though. I deduct the sales tax on my Fed taxes at the end of the year.
bob
Shouldn't you be able to deduct it all since it is a charitable organization you're purchasing from?
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Absolutely not. You're not making a donation. You are purchasing a product.
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I saw a couple of Reader's Digest condensed books.... $15 EACH.
:rofl:
I've seen those things in about every thrift store I've been to, so they're not exactly rare. A thrift store is usually about the cheapest place you can buy books. #threadveer Most used book stores aren't as cheap as they used to be. Half-Price Books has an awesome clearance section, though. Good books for ~$2 each.
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Not exactly rare?
There were more printed than dollar bills...
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