Not so much the same type of story, but my M.O. to say in many of these situations: If a guy is asking for money outside a 7-Eleven or something, I'll say, "Come on in, i'll buy you a sandwich"..."No, I just want money"..."Sorry, I work hard for my money, I don't ask for it"
Another one that some people use (outside of autozone, none the less!) sitting there with a gas can (No CAR mind you) and ask for money to fill it up..."Ok, hop in, we'll go fill it up"...na, I just need the money, I'll do it myself"..."Sorry, I only pay for what I know I'm getting/giving, have a great day"
Another one that some people use (outside of autozone, none the less!) sitting there with a gas can (No CAR mind you) and ask for money to fill it up..."Ok, hop in, we'll go fill it up"...na, I just need the money, I'll do it myself"..."Sorry, I only pay for what I know I'm getting/giving, have a great day"
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- 2018 CX-5 GT
Yeah, it really pisses me off when I see people begging for MY money! I see those dudes on at the intersections w/a cardboard sign that's always "I'll work for food, God bless". Meanwhile they've got a can in their hands for change. :wtf: What's he working? The pavement? We drove right by two people like that the other day and I was thinking, I haven't a one red cent to give to you because I have to pay my rent, my car, my bills, MY debts. Why should I give money that I work for and my husband works DAMN hard for to someone else just because they stand on the street w/a sign? Don't get me wrong, I support charities, I'm just not quick on giving handouts. We get help from our family and friends when we need it because they see us trying to help ourselves FIRST.
*end rant*
*end rant*
Turbo Matty P
Banned
I've picked up people off the street before asking to work...My dad and I picked up a guy and he helped us lay a pallet of sod in our yard. My mom cooked him a steak dinner, a bag lunch for the next day and my dad gave him his business card. the guy never called my dad for a job. Kinda sad. He could've been making good money now seeing as how my dad owns the company.
I have no problem giving money or items to people who really need it. i.e. people who try but just seem to be down on there luck. The guy who is holding a sign at the freeway off ramp begging for money won't get anything from me except maybe a job application. I really can't stand that especially up the street there are a bunch of mexican immigrant workers who are in the same situation except they work for it. Those are the people I give money to, those who make a sincere effort and try.
Yep work for your money- I don't care what your situation is, swallow your pride and get a job cleaning out stalls in a barn, work at taco bell- whatever you gotta do to get by- I have been called cold before towards beggars, but in my experience they want a free handout, not help. On the other side of that, one guy did get money out of me- He told me he'd make me laugh for a dollar- told me one of the funniest jokes I had heard- tossed him a five- he was original and didn't just ask for a handout- performed a service that was worth paying for.
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- 2018 CX-5 GT
Clean stalls! Ha! I did that s*** voluntarily so I could RIDE. This was when I was in high school and was still living with my father, i.e. before I even HAD bills and responsibilities to worry about. But he taught me early, if you want something YOU pay for it. So I got a job at 14 w/a work permit and have been working ever since.
If I were to meet some tragedy I would have people there for me to help me out because I've helped them, I've proved that I can rebound, I have the will to make things better for MYSELF. I would NEVER resort to begging on the street for a handout, I'd resort to my experience in mucking the stalls first!
If I were to meet some tragedy I would have people there for me to help me out because I've helped them, I've proved that I can rebound, I have the will to make things better for MYSELF. I would NEVER resort to begging on the street for a handout, I'd resort to my experience in mucking the stalls first!
Turbo Matty P
Banned
Whats the joke?? I gotta hear this....and save myself $5!
i bought a poem off a poor man in atlanta, he was really nice, but after i left him i thought "What kind of homeless man has a printer?"
oh well
another time i gave a guy a dollar to hop on the train to go down to chicago, i was going too. he got on and at the first stop about 3 miles down the tracks i saw him hop off and get in his friends pickup headed to where i met him first!
and heres a trick i like to use in chicago: when you see some one asking for change, try to beat them to the question, 'Do YOU have any change?", its hilarious to see the look on there face.
oh well
another time i gave a guy a dollar to hop on the train to go down to chicago, i was going too. he got on and at the first stop about 3 miles down the tracks i saw him hop off and get in his friends pickup headed to where i met him first!
and heres a trick i like to use in chicago: when you see some one asking for change, try to beat them to the question, 'Do YOU have any change?", its hilarious to see the look on there face.
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- 2003.5 Titanium Gray MSP #1699
I agree with you exactly loj. What I do is simply help out people in need whenever & wherever I see fit.
eting_pro5
Member
- :
- '03 Pro5
I'm not sure that any of you who are slamming charities are qualified to say a word that you have. I've worked for two consecutive years in the Appalachia area repairing homes for needy families. Just last year I participated in the renovation of a home for a family of four. The family had no running water. Drinking water was collected from one rain gutter that deposited into a plastic barrel. Electricity was supplied from one outlet with three extension cords powering the entire house. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of over 80 people throughout 11 weeks, the family received a new tin roof that didn't leak, electricity throughout the house, a well, and rotting boards were replaced throughout the structure of the home.
In my first year in Appalachia I worked to connect two mobile homes for two grandparents who were the caretakers of their grandchildren who had been abandoned at their home. The family of six was living in a two bedroom mobile home at the time. Tennessee law mandates that all children over the age of 12 cannot share a bedroom with a sibling of the opposite sex. Again, 11 weeks of work from volunteers gave the family a new living space and two new bedrooms, preventing the state of Tennessee from removing the children from their home and placing them in foster care.
To participate in the Appalachia Service Project, I paid $125 and was responsible for fundraising from church members. In addition my family has donated to the cause on more than one occasion. Beyond the fact that all the work done was by volunteers it seems unfortunate that much of the funding comes from these volunteers.
There are plenty of organizations out there that are helping needy people in America without asking for your donations. These charities rely not only on the financial support of good-hearted citizens, but also their time and committment.
I find it hard to argue that we give to much charity to fellow Americans with someone who owns two $20,000 cars. Claiming that all of America is well enough off to be dependent on their own needs is ignorant. There are plenty of people without homes that you pass off as dirty, substance-dependant, lazy slobs. If you can't walk past them without judging them, how easy do you think it is for them to get a job?
There are millions of single parents in America who face the difficulty of putting kids through education, maintaining a job and paying the bills. For an under-educated parent who needs to raise their children, finding well paying jobs can be more than challenging.
If you add in the fact that thousands of those living in the United States live below the poverty level face some sort of mental or physical handicap, you might even gain a better view of the poverty that surrounds you. $13,000 in America is not $13,000 in India (which is more civilized and developed than a vast number of Asian and African countries)where you could purchase dozens of acres of land with that money.
For the many members on this board who have gotten into credit trouble, but are safely riding on Mom or Dad's credit, wake up. Not everyone has that third party to bail them out, and most often it's not a new car with a $6,000 turbocharger that got them there, it's trying to feed themselves and pay heat, electrical, and water bills.
The difference between affording a $200 Playstation and a $100,000 home is not nominal. A Playstation may have been a gift, or a donation, maybe it's still around because Dad only lost his job 4 months ago, but along with grandma's funeral, Uncle Mike's triple bypass surgery, and a new baby just around the corner, things aren't so easy. Maybe Dad did spring $200 for the Playstation, it's kinda like that time when your parents sent you to Band Camp even though their credit cards have piling debts. Parents want their children to have normal lives.
It's very unfortunate and unbelievably ironic that loj68 feels Americans don't donate enough to third world countries but has chosen to "abstain from all charity now." There may be people who would kill for a cheese sandwich, but there'd be people willing to commit suicide so their family could have one months worth of your salary.
In absolutely no way am I trying to downplay the seriousness of the poverty issues throughout our planet. I fully believe that we should give assistance to those in poor and developing nations, but it takes a very naive person to deny that poverty exists on a serious level in America.
As wealthy Americans (and I think since a lot of you found it easy to laugh at a $13,000 poverty level, all of us car owners are wealthy) we hold a fair amount of greed. I feel it's safe to say that everyone on this forum owns a car, a computer, phone service, and pays for some form of dwelling. We're all greedy. loj68 is greedy, I'm greedy, and the owner of the eyes reading this is greedy. Everyone one of us could live without a car, computer, phone service, and in a smaller dwelling. Just imagine the amount of wealth we could distribute across the world if we could sacrifice satellite television, surround sound speakers and football tickets.
As Chino expresses, find a charity that YOU believe in and help out, because there will never be one charity to help everyone. And remember that charity is never just money. Perhaps the most powerful thing on earth is volunteering for a worthy cause. While repairing a home may be fun and helpful, there's nothing like sharing tears with a new homeowner or just a new friend who hasn't had someone care in ages.
I can't understand how anyone can put down somebody trying to help others. In it's childish maturity it completely voids all things good in the world. What if volunteer fire fighters didn't want to work for nothing? What if the driver with the cell phone hadn't stopped at the accident on the barren stretch of I-75? What if the doctor decided that his job wasn't worth the grief you give him? There's never enough help in the world, so I don't think you have any right to criticize any honest charity.
NOTE: The people who receive homes from Habitat For Humanity pay for their homes. Beyond the 130+ hours of "Sweat Equity" they must do on other HFH homes, they receive an interest free mortgage for the price of their home and the property, just not labor. Next time, consider sticking to topics that you actually know something about.
P.S. I understand that for many of you, this was far too long of a post to read. Please don't reply to this unless you've read it in it's entirety.
In my first year in Appalachia I worked to connect two mobile homes for two grandparents who were the caretakers of their grandchildren who had been abandoned at their home. The family of six was living in a two bedroom mobile home at the time. Tennessee law mandates that all children over the age of 12 cannot share a bedroom with a sibling of the opposite sex. Again, 11 weeks of work from volunteers gave the family a new living space and two new bedrooms, preventing the state of Tennessee from removing the children from their home and placing them in foster care.
To participate in the Appalachia Service Project, I paid $125 and was responsible for fundraising from church members. In addition my family has donated to the cause on more than one occasion. Beyond the fact that all the work done was by volunteers it seems unfortunate that much of the funding comes from these volunteers.
There are plenty of organizations out there that are helping needy people in America without asking for your donations. These charities rely not only on the financial support of good-hearted citizens, but also their time and committment.
I find it hard to argue that we give to much charity to fellow Americans with someone who owns two $20,000 cars. Claiming that all of America is well enough off to be dependent on their own needs is ignorant. There are plenty of people without homes that you pass off as dirty, substance-dependant, lazy slobs. If you can't walk past them without judging them, how easy do you think it is for them to get a job?
There are millions of single parents in America who face the difficulty of putting kids through education, maintaining a job and paying the bills. For an under-educated parent who needs to raise their children, finding well paying jobs can be more than challenging.
If you add in the fact that thousands of those living in the United States live below the poverty level face some sort of mental or physical handicap, you might even gain a better view of the poverty that surrounds you. $13,000 in America is not $13,000 in India (which is more civilized and developed than a vast number of Asian and African countries)where you could purchase dozens of acres of land with that money.
For the many members on this board who have gotten into credit trouble, but are safely riding on Mom or Dad's credit, wake up. Not everyone has that third party to bail them out, and most often it's not a new car with a $6,000 turbocharger that got them there, it's trying to feed themselves and pay heat, electrical, and water bills.
The difference between affording a $200 Playstation and a $100,000 home is not nominal. A Playstation may have been a gift, or a donation, maybe it's still around because Dad only lost his job 4 months ago, but along with grandma's funeral, Uncle Mike's triple bypass surgery, and a new baby just around the corner, things aren't so easy. Maybe Dad did spring $200 for the Playstation, it's kinda like that time when your parents sent you to Band Camp even though their credit cards have piling debts. Parents want their children to have normal lives.
It's very unfortunate and unbelievably ironic that loj68 feels Americans don't donate enough to third world countries but has chosen to "abstain from all charity now." There may be people who would kill for a cheese sandwich, but there'd be people willing to commit suicide so their family could have one months worth of your salary.
In absolutely no way am I trying to downplay the seriousness of the poverty issues throughout our planet. I fully believe that we should give assistance to those in poor and developing nations, but it takes a very naive person to deny that poverty exists on a serious level in America.
As wealthy Americans (and I think since a lot of you found it easy to laugh at a $13,000 poverty level, all of us car owners are wealthy) we hold a fair amount of greed. I feel it's safe to say that everyone on this forum owns a car, a computer, phone service, and pays for some form of dwelling. We're all greedy. loj68 is greedy, I'm greedy, and the owner of the eyes reading this is greedy. Everyone one of us could live without a car, computer, phone service, and in a smaller dwelling. Just imagine the amount of wealth we could distribute across the world if we could sacrifice satellite television, surround sound speakers and football tickets.
As Chino expresses, find a charity that YOU believe in and help out, because there will never be one charity to help everyone. And remember that charity is never just money. Perhaps the most powerful thing on earth is volunteering for a worthy cause. While repairing a home may be fun and helpful, there's nothing like sharing tears with a new homeowner or just a new friend who hasn't had someone care in ages.
I can't understand how anyone can put down somebody trying to help others. In it's childish maturity it completely voids all things good in the world. What if volunteer fire fighters didn't want to work for nothing? What if the driver with the cell phone hadn't stopped at the accident on the barren stretch of I-75? What if the doctor decided that his job wasn't worth the grief you give him? There's never enough help in the world, so I don't think you have any right to criticize any honest charity.
NOTE: The people who receive homes from Habitat For Humanity pay for their homes. Beyond the 130+ hours of "Sweat Equity" they must do on other HFH homes, they receive an interest free mortgage for the price of their home and the property, just not labor. Next time, consider sticking to topics that you actually know something about.
P.S. I understand that for many of you, this was far too long of a post to read. Please don't reply to this unless you've read it in it's entirety.
eting, I think you missed the point of most of the posts. No one that has commented in this thread looks down on the poor. I'm pretty sure all have good intentions and would help anyone, very selflessly, should they need it. I'm pretty sure we were all commenting on some elements of society depending upon the kindness of others instead of working hard to help themselves.
WE ALL would love to help honest charities and DO.
Also, We never touched on mental or physical handicaps, nor did we say $13000 poverty line is comical. If anything I think people were alluding to the fact that $13000 is probably very generous high when compared to other countries; relatively speaking.
Your post was VERY long, but most importantly, it seems like it was typed from up on a high horse somewhere. Don't tell me what I know and don't know about society and its problems/people.
I know that Habitat families pay for their homes...but for them to watch, laugh, and drive away in their new car, after seeing a bunch of high school kids (this was 10+ yrs ago) working on the house they were buying instead of gettting out and helping just pisses me off.
And my last and favorite thought. "If ya can't feed 'em, don't breed em!"
WE ALL would love to help honest charities and DO.
Also, We never touched on mental or physical handicaps, nor did we say $13000 poverty line is comical. If anything I think people were alluding to the fact that $13000 is probably very generous high when compared to other countries; relatively speaking.
Your post was VERY long, but most importantly, it seems like it was typed from up on a high horse somewhere. Don't tell me what I know and don't know about society and its problems/people.
I know that Habitat families pay for their homes...but for them to watch, laugh, and drive away in their new car, after seeing a bunch of high school kids (this was 10+ yrs ago) working on the house they were buying instead of gettting out and helping just pisses me off.
And my last and favorite thought. "If ya can't feed 'em, don't breed em!"
Turbo Matty P
Banned
I also have done habitat for humanity and Appalachian Service project. (methodist). I loved Appalcahian service project. It was the hardest work I've ever done. I was coated in tar, stung in the eye by a bee, and sore from tit to toe. I had to use an outhouse for a week. The stench was so strong it could almost make you vomit. The family tried to cook lunch for us one day to say thanks. It consisted of some various cans of beans heated over a propane tank. Needless to say it was a humbling experience.
I can greatly appreciate someone who is worse off than me. I'm no worse for trying to help someone. What they choose to do with that help is their problem.
I can greatly appreciate someone who is worse off than me. I'm no worse for trying to help someone. What they choose to do with that help is their problem.
eting_pro5
Member
- :
- '03 Pro5
When i wrote that last night, I had only read page 1. I have to give props to Matty P for the way he put it. Despite being wronged by people who abuse the idea of charity, it shouldn't change your desire to help others. There are plenty of people out there who genuinely need help.
Turbo Matty P
Banned
hehehe, don't give me props....pay it forward
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- 2018 CX-5 GT
scott42 said:
(werd)
I've also worked on Habitat twice and it was one of the best experiences I've had. I worked HARD and met a great bunch of people. It was sponsored by the company I was working for at the time, CitiFinancial, and I was the only one out of my dept of 20 to volunteer and I was grateful for the experience. I have no problem helping those who need it and will utilize it to their advantage, not the local liquor store's.
As previously stated by myself and others, what bothers me are the people who want your money - do NO work for themselves but want your money because they think it's ok to beg for it. Those people in Appalacian and Habitat were deserving of the help they got. The people who sit outside 7-11, while maybe they can't get a job for whatever reason, still do not deserve my money. I dragged my ass in here this morning to work through 6" of snow on bald-ass tires and still made it her a 1/2 hour early because I work for my money, I don't expect the world's handouts.
eting_pro5
Member
- :
- '03 Pro5
My original reply was in primarily targeted at the topic of loj68's post. In his post he says "I'm so sick of charity," "what we consider to be poor in this country is just so outta whack," and "I abstain from all charity work now."
If you read loj68's fourth quote in which he quotes the post on the $13,000 poverty line, the first two words are "ha ha." I'm sorry for generalizing and claiming that there was a signigicant number of people who laughed. I also felt that the original poverty level post with the $.01 reference held mocking conotation, but that's pure opinion.
As for my high horse, you're right. When it comes to opinionated righting I'm almost always cocky. My journalistic backgrounds lead me to present my opinions in the strongest and most effective way that I can invoke change and or/controversy into the reader. I understand that some statements in my original reply were very over confident (especially my P.S.) and I apologize for that.
I understand that this thread has developed into a discussion of assisting individuals begging for money. I don't consider this "charity." I know that there are people out there who will take advanatage of those who "contribute" to society. It's a terrible fact of life that these people exist, but at the same time I feel some of you have lumped all homeless people together into one category.
While many of you refuse to donate to lone beggars, something that I won't condemn or condone, a few people have posted ways to mock or humiliate a homeless person. Regardless of their appearance, you can never tell what a person's intentions are. While you probably shouldn't give money to everybody on the street, I encourage you too offer them food. If they refuse or laugh it, walk it off. Don't worry that you were just told off by a homeless man. He is your equal, and pride only hurts and never helps.
I'd be very interested in holding a conversation with a homeless person. It's something I've never done, but maybe by talking with a few, I'd be able to understand them.
I've been to Portland and wasn't bothered by the large number of homeless (although I was only there for four days and couldn't be bothered by them in my hotel) but I did see the most troubling thing I've ever seen. A decently dressed child, no older than 12, with a black eye sat on the street reading a book. The first two times I passed him he said nothing, the third time he asked for money. It was the most heartbreaking thing to see a child so young on the streets, and while it could have been a really ingenious scam, there was still a child sitting there who could have been changed. I regret that I didn't stop to talk to him or wasn't able to offer him shelter or food. It still makes me sad to think of what that kid's doing now, even if it is a scam.
loj68- I'm sorry if offend you by placing your views in opposition of mine, but that's life. Agree to disagree.
If you read loj68's fourth quote in which he quotes the post on the $13,000 poverty line, the first two words are "ha ha." I'm sorry for generalizing and claiming that there was a signigicant number of people who laughed. I also felt that the original poverty level post with the $.01 reference held mocking conotation, but that's pure opinion.
As for my high horse, you're right. When it comes to opinionated righting I'm almost always cocky. My journalistic backgrounds lead me to present my opinions in the strongest and most effective way that I can invoke change and or/controversy into the reader. I understand that some statements in my original reply were very over confident (especially my P.S.) and I apologize for that.
I understand that this thread has developed into a discussion of assisting individuals begging for money. I don't consider this "charity." I know that there are people out there who will take advanatage of those who "contribute" to society. It's a terrible fact of life that these people exist, but at the same time I feel some of you have lumped all homeless people together into one category.
While many of you refuse to donate to lone beggars, something that I won't condemn or condone, a few people have posted ways to mock or humiliate a homeless person. Regardless of their appearance, you can never tell what a person's intentions are. While you probably shouldn't give money to everybody on the street, I encourage you too offer them food. If they refuse or laugh it, walk it off. Don't worry that you were just told off by a homeless man. He is your equal, and pride only hurts and never helps.
I'd be very interested in holding a conversation with a homeless person. It's something I've never done, but maybe by talking with a few, I'd be able to understand them.
I've been to Portland and wasn't bothered by the large number of homeless (although I was only there for four days and couldn't be bothered by them in my hotel) but I did see the most troubling thing I've ever seen. A decently dressed child, no older than 12, with a black eye sat on the street reading a book. The first two times I passed him he said nothing, the third time he asked for money. It was the most heartbreaking thing to see a child so young on the streets, and while it could have been a really ingenious scam, there was still a child sitting there who could have been changed. I regret that I didn't stop to talk to him or wasn't able to offer him shelter or food. It still makes me sad to think of what that kid's doing now, even if it is a scam.
loj68- I'm sorry if offend you by placing your views in opposition of mine, but that's life. Agree to disagree.
