This is a public service announcement
Oct. 30th, 2003 12:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nycmermaidThose of you who know me know that there are many little things that really press my buttons and get me worked up into a lather. Today I'd like to discuss one of them. People who give money to beggars/charities on the subway.
If you give it, they will come. And they will keep coming and they will walk their smelly way up and down the subway with their annoying, loud bullshit stories. If your heart aches for someone in need, give them some food. Give them information about a soup kitchen or a shelter or an organization that can help them. Don't give them money to support their drug habit. Don't be THAT guy.
Today a woman came on the subway with some bullshit story about how her family's apartment was destroyed in a fire and they lost everything and she has 5 kids and SOB SOB SOB... and people around started opening their purses. This charlatan must make a killing! Every time something like this happens, I want to turn and yell at the people giving money to these jerks. Do they actually believe this crap? How about this woman get out and look for a real job rather than walk up and down the subways all day? Who's taking care of her alleged 5 children? Do these people stop and think, or do they think that by selflessly giving money and not asking questions they are making their God happy? I actually chanted "idiot, idiot idiot" under my breath, hoping the woman next to me and the woman across from me, who both gave money to beggars this morning, would hear. I never say anything loud enough to cause a real confrontation, but I guess part of me wants it.
There are already signs on the trains telling people not to give money on the subway. Obviously this isn't working. What they need to do is tell people WHY exactly they shouldn't give money on the subway. How about detailing the stories of some of the bullshit artists you see every day? I know there's no way to eradicate panhandlers completely, but if we educate the public, maybe we can stop encouraging them.
The masses are asses and there's a sucker born every minute!
If you give it, they will come. And they will keep coming and they will walk their smelly way up and down the subway with their annoying, loud bullshit stories. If your heart aches for someone in need, give them some food. Give them information about a soup kitchen or a shelter or an organization that can help them. Don't give them money to support their drug habit. Don't be THAT guy.
Today a woman came on the subway with some bullshit story about how her family's apartment was destroyed in a fire and they lost everything and she has 5 kids and SOB SOB SOB... and people around started opening their purses. This charlatan must make a killing! Every time something like this happens, I want to turn and yell at the people giving money to these jerks. Do they actually believe this crap? How about this woman get out and look for a real job rather than walk up and down the subways all day? Who's taking care of her alleged 5 children? Do these people stop and think, or do they think that by selflessly giving money and not asking questions they are making their God happy? I actually chanted "idiot, idiot idiot" under my breath, hoping the woman next to me and the woman across from me, who both gave money to beggars this morning, would hear. I never say anything loud enough to cause a real confrontation, but I guess part of me wants it.
There are already signs on the trains telling people not to give money on the subway. Obviously this isn't working. What they need to do is tell people WHY exactly they shouldn't give money on the subway. How about detailing the stories of some of the bullshit artists you see every day? I know there's no way to eradicate panhandlers completely, but if we educate the public, maybe we can stop encouraging them.
The masses are asses and there's a sucker born every minute!
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no subject
Date: 2003-10-30 12:07 pm (UTC)I believe that an act of charity is a mitzvah independent of whether the person is "suckering" me or not. I give freely with a loving heart and if I am helping even a small percentage of the people I give change to then god bless them. . .
As Eric said, people have to be in a pretty fucked up state to be out there begging in the first place - so god bless them. I hope this fuckin quarter than means nothing to me helps them, even if it is in the smallest way.
Now, I don't give all the time or to everyone - depends on the vibe I get and my mood and whether I have change or a single, but it is small inconvenience for me and for other people on the train - a real inconvenience would be to be hungry, on the street, addicted to drugs, mentally ill. . .
There but by the grace of god, and all that. . .
no subject
Date: 2003-10-30 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-10-30 12:17 pm (UTC)I don't carry food around very often - but I have given my doggie bags and leftovers to homeless people when I have them - so some change is a lot more convenient.
I try not to get mad at other people's desperation. Doesn't always work, but I try.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-30 12:20 pm (UTC)