I don't want you coins; I want change

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    In modern society, we see those who are poor, every day. We walk past them, but what do we feel? Sympathy, disgust at the fact that this could happen to someone, or perhaps confusion, because we're not always sure what we should do in this situation. So, do you walk past a homeless person on the street, do you hand them change when they have it, or do you try and do something about it?

    Personally, I feel that deep down, those who are homeless, simply desire to see change. No one wants to have poverty inflicted upon them, and we can only be temporary help when we offer the loose change in our pockets. Because no amount of coins from strangers on the street, will change their lives. Homelessness is an on-going thing, which needs to be relinquished from society.
     
    This is a nice thread.

    I think if you do have spare change and you see someone who is homeless sitting on the streets you should because you have alot more money than them and even though it's little change, it makes such a bigger difference to their lives than yours.
    Yeah if I tend to have spare change in my pockets I'd happily share it with the homeless.
     
    I tend to give food away to the homeless. I live with people who are very "just suck it up and stop being poor" attitude, so it's hard to shake that, but I try my best.

    Funny thing is, the same people have almost been out on the street before with me, which contributes both to their opinion and my opinion. Their opinion stems from the fact that now, although we're still incredibly poor (I'm literally being paid to attend college because I'm so poor), we managed to survive and not have to live on the streets, so the people who are on the streets aren't trying hard enough. My opinion stems from the idea that if we didn't have certain friends who were willing to give us a place to stay when we had nowhere else to go, we would be in that same situation and once you're in, it's hard to get out.
     
    Yeah; if I have any loose change that is. Also, for many years, I've worked in soup kitchens and food banks providing with the homeless as well. If I may, it really is quite a shame where people believe in the "homelessness sterotyping" of homeless people. Because you know -- homelessness can happen to anyone.
     
    As I understand, some homeless are such by choice, and prefer to live that way; it is ultimately a way of great potential freedom, albeit very little else. In any case, I would want to understand an individual's circumstances before I decide whether to give them anything.

    Speaking of change, actually, have you noticed how most homeless people are men?
     
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    Whenever I see homeless people I tend to give them all the change I have. I remember every time I go to India to visit, the homeless population shocks me. I end up giving the homeless up to 50 dollars (US) when I'm over there.
     
    I won't even talk to other people when I'm walking around, let alone a homeless person, sorry to say. I donate when I can, but never directly. I'm really weird about talking to people in public, especially if I don't know them. I'm very paranoid about it. But when I work during Christmas and get my paycheck, I would give $5 to the Salvation Army while leaving.

    Also, for the past three years, I've been doing a mission trip with my church in Memphis, Tennessee. Tons of fun, too. The people you meet and the kids you help...it's just an amazing feeling, for you and for them. But you also see these poverty stricken areas that these kids are living in, and its heartbreaking. My first year on the trip, one of the little girls at our Bible Club needed to use the bathroom, but the rules for running it don't allow the kids to go back home and come back to the club for that day. Luckily, someone who attends the church that hosts our trip lives right on our site, so he allowed our group to use the bathroom in his house if need be. The girl was about three, so you know, I went with her to make sure she wiped and didn't fall in the toilet, lol. (I don't know when kids are supposed to be potty trained, so yeah.) But the poor kid didn't even have underwear. And I also noticed she had worn those clothes at least twice that week. It's just...sad really.

    ...Okay, I'm way off. lol But anyway, I try to do what I can to help those who need it. I just won't talk to random people on the streets though. It bugs me. But you get me.
     
    Homelessness always brings out a variety of emotions in me whenever I encounter it - which, unfortunately, is fairly common. As much as giving change is undoubtedly helpful in the short-term, it does end up being the most base form of just 'throwing money at the problem and hoping it'll go away', rather than a practical solution to solve a crippling societal issue. On top of this, there's also the fact that some people will, instead of using said change to improve their situation, use it on drugs/alcohol or to feed another form of addiction: what these people don't need is money (well, they do, but stay with me) but medical attention in order to truly get themselves out of the rut they're in.

    So, to answer the original question of what I do, for the most part I do the worst thing: walk on by. I don't feel good about it but, in many ways, I feel like I've become desensitized to the whole phenomenon. If I have change, sometimes I'll give it to someone; other times, especially if I don't think it'll be used for the best purposes, I do nothing.
     
    I'm somewhat near being homeless myself, but still give money to those who might need it more, if I have any to spare.
     
    I've never walked by a homeless person on the street.

    I imagine if I did, I would be a little scared if they had a less than desirable physical appearance, but if I had the money to spare, I would like to think I would help them out by giving them some of what I had! But having never experienced walking by one, I don't really know what I would do.
     
    Normally, when I see homeless people on the street flat-out begging, I leave them be. But if I see them doing something, say, selling stuff or displaying a talent, then I'll give them money, since I think that they're trying their best to earn money despite the state they're in.
     
    When I see the homeless, I don't give money to them not because I'm mean, but because I usually don't have any money on hand. I give money to the poor when I'm feeling generous, like I did a few years ago.
     
    I always give money to homeless people. There is a homeless lady that sleeps under the bridge close to my school, and every time I walk pass, I give her most of my change. :3
     
    It depends, really. I don't usually carry a ton of money on me and I hate giving money to one homeless person when I know another homeless person a few feet away sees me and then they usually expect money too. I feel bad about it, but I really don't have enough to give to every person I see.

    I hate it when they hassle you for the money though. My friend and I were in the city and had to catch a very late at night train after a concert and these two guys followed us for a block until finally my friend gave them money.
     
    Homeless people are a very tricky subject. As a citizen of Canada's largest metropolis, I see homeless people on a daily basis. Because of that, I would have to say that my compassion for homeless people has decreased. A good picture of a hobo is always striking and can manage to pull some strings, but I almost see it as cliché now.

    I'm not particularly keen on giving a homeless man or woman my spare change. Primarily because I have no idea what that money is going to be used for. Most hobos have a similar backstory to why they've hit the point they're at, a great example being the Homeless Man with the Golden Voice. Now, none are anywhere near as lucky as Ted Williams, and for that reason specifically, most don't really try to get out of the slum. The best I can assume my money is going to go to is a cup of coffee. The next best bet is alcohol.

    And I understand. What's my 50 cents gonna help you with? It's basically like a huge f*** you, in my opinion. Here's my pity money. Do with it what you can. You want to really help someone out? Don't give them money. Give them food, and shelter. Give them a razor. Help them get a job. Get them out of the slum. We can see a lot more Ted Williams coming out of these homeless people, but no one wants to give them a chance. Because it's hard to trust these people. Anyone can admit it.

    All homeless people desire to see change. All homeless people have seen the worst of the worst. They have nothing, nowhere and no one. If there's anyone who has something to complain about, it's them. They see society for the cold, unforgiving world it is. Not us.
     
    Patchisou Yutohru said:
    I've never walked by a homeless person on the street.

    I imagine if I did, I would be a little scared if they had a less than desirable physical appearance, but if I had the money to spare, I would like to think I would help them out by giving them some of what I had! But having never experienced walking by one, I don't really know what I would do.
    Click to expand...

    Really!? They are everywhere in some parts of Sydney. There was one living in the storm water drain ac cross the road a few years back

    I never, ever give money to homeless people up front. Me and my mum have been approached by homeless people and she knows what to do, just keep walking. I think she is just very paranoid about homeless people up close, because she was involved with a knife attack with a homeless guy once on her first day of work.

    My family do always donate anything we do not need anymore to children hospitals and salvation groups all the time, so we are doing our part. And my school always has a week where a homeroom class makes sandwiches and cookies and stuff for them. I plan on running it maybe next year.
     
    I've never truly walked past a homeless person before, I mean I've seen people who are homeless in the street whenever I'm in the car and we drive past them. I also don't really think I'll ever just walk up to a homeless peron and talk to them because I dont know how they really are and they're strangers.
    I do plan on donating to the people who need money, when I grow up though...
     
    Umm.. my area is a step below Beverly Hills and Palo Alto, so I rarely see homeless people in my area. I do try to give money though, usually through donations.
     
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