I have to agree on this point. I used to work security at the oceanfront, and there were two homeless people that stand out to me. One used to park his MERCEDES a few blocks from the oceanfront and panhandled the bust strip, and rumor had it he had a huge house to go home to... Apparently, he lost his job and found it more lucrative to ask strangers for money while in shitty clothes than to find another career. With no taxes being taken out, he effectively made a lot more money comparatively.
Another man would come around and talk to me as I checked IDs at the door. He was a really cool guy, and he kept me laughing with his unique perspective on life. He had more of an impact on my life philosophy and outlook than he knows. But one night a guy came with three women, and club rules were ladies got in free, guys had a $5 cover charge. He decides to look like a baller and pulls out a hundred dollar bill (clearly had smaller bills in his wallet, but I didn't argue with patrons), I had to tell him I didn't have change for that (his most likely motive considering I saw a $5 bill when he opened his wallet), and he gets snide with me. Homeless Dan whips out a roll of money and gives the guy change. Not folded money, or a wad of money, A ROLL OF MONEY, complete with a rubber band. Gave the guy change and chatted up the females real quick. He was just so damn charming that one stayed to talk to him for a few minutes before going inside. I told him he should have asked for her number, and he said "For what? To call her from a payphone? Take her back to my place?" I can't tell you how hard we laughed at that. But he told me he probably makes $40K+ a year tax free. He had a few places he liked to stash the money, and had bought a tent and put it in a place where he could be comfortable and out of the way. On particularly hot or cold days, he would hitchhike or walk down to a motel that offered cheap nightly and weekly rates. He said he spent about three months in a year in that hotel, and that was usually in the colder parts of the year. Often, he would allow other homeless to bunk with him if they paid a fair share of the room. They'd camp out inside and stay warm. Play cards. Drink. Whatever was clever.
I usually don't lie to people to whom I don't want to give money. I'll tell them "Not today" instead. I still try to treat them like people and will happily talk with them, and to those who actually care to talk to me I will ask them to join me if I'm headed into McDonald's or something. If they ask me on my way out or if I'm outside a convenience store, I'll ask them what they want it for. If they get an attitude I'll be on my way. If I think they're lying, I'll be on my way. One guy was honest and was shaking as he told me it was for alcohol. I nodded and went inside, and as part of my transaction I bought him some. I told him I appreciated his honesty and had friends that have dealt with withdrawal from alcoholism and offered to get him help. He politely declined, and I left after telling him I hope he has better luck with the future.
They may be homeless, but they're still people. You never know someone's story, and one day it may be someone you knew that people walk past ignoring as if they're less than human. I at least like to say hello, and sometimes that's worth more to them than the change in your pocket.
Th3DragonR3born243 karma
I have to agree on this point. I used to work security at the oceanfront, and there were two homeless people that stand out to me. One used to park his MERCEDES a few blocks from the oceanfront and panhandled the bust strip, and rumor had it he had a huge house to go home to... Apparently, he lost his job and found it more lucrative to ask strangers for money while in shitty clothes than to find another career. With no taxes being taken out, he effectively made a lot more money comparatively.
Another man would come around and talk to me as I checked IDs at the door. He was a really cool guy, and he kept me laughing with his unique perspective on life. He had more of an impact on my life philosophy and outlook than he knows. But one night a guy came with three women, and club rules were ladies got in free, guys had a $5 cover charge. He decides to look like a baller and pulls out a hundred dollar bill (clearly had smaller bills in his wallet, but I didn't argue with patrons), I had to tell him I didn't have change for that (his most likely motive considering I saw a $5 bill when he opened his wallet), and he gets snide with me. Homeless Dan whips out a roll of money and gives the guy change. Not folded money, or a wad of money, A ROLL OF MONEY, complete with a rubber band. Gave the guy change and chatted up the females real quick. He was just so damn charming that one stayed to talk to him for a few minutes before going inside. I told him he should have asked for her number, and he said "For what? To call her from a payphone? Take her back to my place?" I can't tell you how hard we laughed at that. But he told me he probably makes $40K+ a year tax free. He had a few places he liked to stash the money, and had bought a tent and put it in a place where he could be comfortable and out of the way. On particularly hot or cold days, he would hitchhike or walk down to a motel that offered cheap nightly and weekly rates. He said he spent about three months in a year in that hotel, and that was usually in the colder parts of the year. Often, he would allow other homeless to bunk with him if they paid a fair share of the room. They'd camp out inside and stay warm. Play cards. Drink. Whatever was clever.
I usually don't lie to people to whom I don't want to give money. I'll tell them "Not today" instead. I still try to treat them like people and will happily talk with them, and to those who actually care to talk to me I will ask them to join me if I'm headed into McDonald's or something. If they ask me on my way out or if I'm outside a convenience store, I'll ask them what they want it for. If they get an attitude I'll be on my way. If I think they're lying, I'll be on my way. One guy was honest and was shaking as he told me it was for alcohol. I nodded and went inside, and as part of my transaction I bought him some. I told him I appreciated his honesty and had friends that have dealt with withdrawal from alcoholism and offered to get him help. He politely declined, and I left after telling him I hope he has better luck with the future.
They may be homeless, but they're still people. You never know someone's story, and one day it may be someone you knew that people walk past ignoring as if they're less than human. I at least like to say hello, and sometimes that's worth more to them than the change in your pocket.
Edit: Thank you, kind human.
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