I do that too. I like street performers and sometimes even wish there would be more (not poor, of course). They make the place much nicer. Sometimes the music is even great. I don't have problems with those, they earn their money.
In my case I was devastated by natural disaster, leaving me with challenging anti-social obligations.
When I am not worse off than the homeless or domestically compromised, I still help the ones whom I am personally
acquainted with, providing cash sometimes or rides in my vehicle.
There are numerous needy individuals I encounter regularly and they are not always worse off than me.
With needy strangers, until I am out of debt or at least have positive cash flow, I can usually be honest, and get an honest reaction when I ask if they have lost everything.
If so, it's easy to relate how I'm looking forward to working 12hours a day, 7days a week for a couple years
so that I will recover well enough to then have nothing myself.
For someone who is truly homeless, it's usually easy for them to understand that I am non-domestic myself, plus it takes a lot to keep a vehicle on the road so I really don't have anything to spare sensibly.
Since I'm older than most, the sensible beggar recognizes he may be worse off in my position.
This year I often have food with me when I am driving, so I sometimes can share some of my rations or occasionally even have surplus to give.
I am a surplus-seeking individual. My entire (ruined) operation was built with recycled or surplus materials.
One man gathers what another man spills.
I don't plan to beg on the street, I'll learn how to accept financial help from a capitalist instead, and I'm not looking for a donation unless a venture turns out to be a non-profit org.
Otherwise I'll make them as much return as they prefer.
But it has to be a generous capitalist with surplus funds to combine with my surplus technology, then we fly.
The same backing from a greedy partner could only offer further deficit for me, may still get off the ground
but not true flight with that baggage.
I look forward to the time when I can once again exersize my generosity to a greater degree.
__________
- now you're considering street performers while I was typing, so I'll post this here.
Don't think I'll do that either unless I finally lose critical mass of industrial surplus which could happen any time, but looks like I've got a better chance singing for my supper at my favorite restaurant than I would in the street,
which is illegal here except in the (uncrowded) museum district with a very restrictive permit.
sorry this message turned out to be so personal, hope it helps anyway, this one hit "home"
Thank you for sharing. I will probably use your advice. Sometimes. And other times, I think it's still better to offer food, blanket or a ticket instead of money, just as people expressed here. At least I won't wonder if I gave someone money for his next dose of drugs.
Good point. Why? Because I was poor too a long time ago. Neither I or my family begged for money, but worked really hard to get it. I sympathize, I guess. No one knows how it feels to grow in a family with low resources. It goes unnoticed.
Good idea. What do you think I can do when I'm on a train and there is nothing I can do but to give money? That where I get to hear most of the touchy stories.
Everyone has a story. It might be you another time so be respectful but if required be polite but firm and refuse. If its a train they will move on to the next person/carriage. If they are telling you a story, then take the lead and ask them questions. Such as they want to go home, well tell me about home. Your parents, your brothers or sisters. The cute girl in the coffee shop who you went to school with. Tell me about them. Look for consistency in the story but you have to use your gut.
In my opinion, you are better off buying them the meal and food or the ticket yourself at the next stop. Never give cash.
I'm not sure I'll have the courage to speak. For example, one lady claims that her daughter got injured in a terrorist attack and for years now she is undergoing expensive medical treatments. I see this lady pretty often on the train. No way I'm going to ask her about her life.
If you mean "how can you know you can trust the charities on GiveWell", the whole point of GiveWell is to rank charities by how effectively they use their donations to help people.
If you mean "how do you know you can trust GiveWell", I guess you don't.
The point of GiveWell is that they thoroughly investigate the results of the charity, and recommend places that are highly effective for your marginal dollar.
Maybe they don't succeed in their mission, and they are the first to point out their limitations.
I was really ashamed after I read your answer. I'm still not 100% sure that's the spirit I'm willing to adopt, but there is something to it that feels right. I will think about it.
There are charities in my country as well. But I suspect they are corrupted and I avoid giving them money. Regarding making good money while begging for it - I don't know how much do they make here.
There was one time, someone asked me for small change in order to buy water. I offered him to buy the water without giving him the money. He turned away and kept walking. This is why I tend not to give money (and feel really bad about it).
I've been asked at gas stations for a few bucks to buy gas. That one always seems to be a scam.
I tend to give money to older people and people who are offering a service. There was a guy who hung out at a grocery store with a bottle of window cleaner and rags, and he'd clean your car windows for whatever you gave him.
If they're young, look fairly healthy, or look like druggies, I don't give. If they demand a certain amount (I've had someone demand $20 from me!) I definitely don't give.
I don't see beggars close up all that often. Here they're usually standing at an intersection with a sign. If you're on foot in the City, there's a lot of panhandlers, and I think you'd be begging yourself pretty quickly if you gave everyone a few bucks.
Seems interesting to try. I'm used to watch TV shows in order to disconnect. Working out sounds like a good idea but I'm a little bit lazy. So I might try this advice. What games can you suggest for someone who used to play Doom and Need For Speed about 10 years ago? I need something not complex.
