Beggars who lie for money

[FidelCashflow]

2 months ago, I was working downtown and on the street a woman asked me for some money, she didn't seem like your typical crazy homeless person and spun this whole story about "I'm really sorry to bother you, this is so embarassing, but I just moved here with my mom 2 days ago, and I have a little sister, and I'm expecting, and we're getting some money on Monday, but in the meantime we're strapped for cash, could you buy us a loaf of bread or some milk or anything to help us out?" I gave her $5, and she seemed appreciative and gave me a hug and was on her way.

2 nights ago, I was at a club in the same area, and ran into her again, her belly definetley got bigger, and she spun me the same story again about how she just got there 2 days ago. I ended up giving her $5 just to be over with it since it was in the middle of a bad snowstorm. But half of me thinks I should have called her on it. I have to wonder if she's a junkie putting rock into her arms and killing her baby in the process. What would you do?

 

[KBW]

There's a guy in town that says he needs gas money to go see his two daughters every single day. He never changes his story and he looks stoned as all hell every time you see him. He always parks his acura (pretty decent for a guy that bums every single day) immediately in front of (or behind) your car so you have to talk him before you can move your car. He has done that 4 times to me in the last few weeks alone and I'm normally calm but I come close to losing it every time.

 

[unjung]

I don't give money to people on the street. Fidel, I know there are assloads of resources for people in that woman's situation in your city - there's no way in hell she should be asking on the street if all she wants is bread and milk.

 

[Dakota rube]

Originally Posted by unjung

...there's no way in hell she should be asking on the street if all she wants is bread and milk.

This is precisely why I never leave the house without a spare quart of milk on my person.

 

[Stazy]

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

This is precisely why I never leave the house without a spare quart of milk on my person.

What do you do about the bread though?

 

[Dakota rube]

Originally Posted by Stazy

What do you do about the bread though?

Usually steal it from bird feeders.

 

[Fuuma]

I hate lobbyists too.

 

[tor]

This is like a guy who came up to me on a train platform in nyc. He said he fell asleep and got his stuff stolen and he was $0.80 short of fare, so I gave him a buck. Then I saw him go to someone literally 5 feet away from me and give them the same story.

 

[Ataturk]

A single, perfectly able-bodied adult with no dependents can get like $250/month in food stamps indefinitely. FYI.

 

[Incman]

There's a guy downtown who has asked my papa (grandfather) at least 5 times for money over the course of the last year, saying his mother passed away 2 days ago and he needs money to out of town for the funeral. My papa said to him "how many mothers do you have man?" and the guy turned around and walked away lol.

 

[crazyquik]

Sry. Thought this was about politicians.

 

[JayJay]

I've encountered a few people here in Indy who engage in this same sort of solicitation. They do vary their stories though.

 

[tagutcow]

Srsly, are there any beggars you find in downtown areas who don't lie for money? Everyone's got a story about how they have a kid in their car but don't have gas money.

I'm not sure if it's a whole lot worse than kiosk girls at the mall who use emotional blackmail to peddle their $30 nail file systems.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by Ataturk

A single, perfectly able-bodied adult with no dependents can get like $250/month in food stamps indefinitely. FYI.
No. You are wrong, and stupid.

 

[Connemara]

There are some beggars here that must make $50K a year. One guy has a real knack for making you laugh, he's known as "Help is on the way" (that's his oft-used slogan). I saw him driving a newish Acura one day so I think he's doing alright.

I rarely give money to beggars. One guy used to hang out around my building and I gave him change because he was honest: "I just want to get some booze and cigarettes."