I usually say I don't have anything to share, which is 100% the truth with my current spendings. It does make me feel guilty though: if only I made a few changes, I could share a little with others who have it even worse. But those changes are hard...
I don't carry change, or even dollar bills. There is a little bit on the door in my car, change from drive thru orders in the past, but I don't like to touch money now.
I rarely have spare change on me. These days I pay using the app on my phone, or by using my credit cards. If I have some spare change tho, I'll usually let them have some.
@Trippin Changes indeed, not all for the worse tho. Coz of better hand hygiene, and awareness of sneezing into the sleeves instead of into the air it seems like we are about to say bye to a few of the influenza variants. There'll likely be more positive stuff to mention, but this was in an article I read today. That's something? But yea, it leaves us with no spare changes. 🤷🏼♀️
It depends how it's done and if I actually have loose change. I used to pass a homeless guy on my way to work, come rain or shine. He never approached me but I got into the habit of dropping some money into his dish now and again, especially when it was raining or bitterly cold. If people approach me, I'm a bit dubious.
I don't wanna break hearts but I always want to say "bruh who carries a change nowadays".. tho I carry couple papers specifically to give to one of those amazing street musicians :) love them all!
@Darkskiescoming Awww... You know.... Me too. They didnt prejudge me. Trust me, I was straight strung out crazy as shit. Issues...drugs...booze...on the streets. No picnic to invite into your backyard. 🤷♀️
But change... Changes. Regardless of how we pass it round'.
I will as most look like they've genuinely been kicked to the gutter by life. Even drop a $20 or a bag of McDonald's or coffee if I can.
Depending, though, you've got to be wary of opportunities to get close enough to rob you of more. Or mark you as the cash cow to hit up every time you're in the neighborhood.
@Trippin Yep. Definitely. I went for a walk in January up a quiet street, must have been 5 or 10 below. A guy in a thin nylon shell jacket..like a track and field warm up windbreaker, was clutching the handle of his shopping cart, bent over it. Head down kicking the asphalt because of the bitter cold. His possessions were in it. He'd been trying to duct tape a flashlight underneath it so cars could see him.
I was bundled up, snug as a bug. And thinking of the warm house and all its love and security I'd just stepped out of. Really wanted to drop my coffee and some bills in his cart...but. That stuck with me. Life's a bugger.
I used to give some when I was living in a more urban area. Now I don't get asked often. There's a group of gypsies that stake out the shopping centers, but I'm driving by at that point and I don't give to them.
I mostly ignore as this happens many times a per day in downtown Wash DC and I am a cynical person. I have a couple of charities I budget for but that's about it.
@Trippin there are groups near me who are seasoned beggars who are there and take it in turns on certain pitches just so they can get drug money they live in flats close by. those I would never even look at
Wish I could say I was a good person who helps all who need it, but I'm not. I usually try to get out of that situation as soon as possible.
I know there are those who genuinely need that money and would make good use of it, but at least in the broader area I live in I've seen more than enough of fake, "organized begging". It has been part of eroding my trust in those who roam the streets. Bad seeds ruining it for the good ones, but I can no longer tell them apart.
That combined with not having all that much income myself and a fair dose of social anxiety, my immediate reaction is that I want nothing to do with it and want the quickest route out. 😕
@PirateMonkeyCabinet Feel no shame! Not intended to provoke it my friend. Just in terms of social interaction.... That one is oftentimes a toughy. 🤷♀️
I've only had it happen once. We were outside of an Outback Steakhouse. He asked for a dollar to get something to drink from McDonalds. I gave him $10 and told him to get a full meal. Sucks being hungry. I hope that's what he spent it on
When they say those two words to me... "Spare change?" as they ask with a question inflection to their voice while holding a cup full of change in my face...
I always respond with, "Oh, no thank you! I already have plenty of spare change, but thanks anyway!"
i can't remember the last time i bought anything with cash i never have spare change on me. i do volunteer in my community whenever i can, so i give back that way.