Bums asking for handouts

[cannon_fodder]

I was wondering what people's general take is on the increasing number of bums at street corners as the weather improves?

Bum: one who sponges off others and avoids work. A vagrant.

I know Tulsa is known and reputed for being a giving city. I see people handing these men (predominantly men) wads of bills, probably $5 on average.  As I sat the other day at Ikes on Utica and 244 I watched one man collect from 5 or 6 different cars in the 45 minutes I was there.  As I started to leave a white van pulled up and opened its door. He got in and another man got out... they traded the card bored sign and the van headed off.  A shift change for god's sake!

When I worked downtown I was asked for money nearly everyday.  "I just got out of prison and need money for a bus ride home."  "I haven't eaten all day and need money for food." or my all time favorite a man who asked for $27 to get his prescription filled after an elaborate story.  In all the instances above I offered to go with them and buy them a ticket, get something to eat, or fill the prescription (partly calling BS and partly because I dont carry cash).  In every instance but one I was denied and they asked the person behind me (one man actually walked to the bus station with me and I bought him a ticket... for which he thanks me a great deal).

Likewise, in the rare instance that I was able to offer work to 'will work for food' I have had no takers.  I worked for a lawn crew a couple summers in college and the foreman offered several times @ $50  for the remainder of the day with no takers.

I am of the opinion that most people panhandling are indeed bums and nothing more.  Some of them are probably actual scam artists, others lazy and looking for a quick buick.  Everyone knows the will work for food and elaborate stories you hear downtown are BS and Im tired of the "God Bless" signs at freeway exits.  Am I a calloused, cold, heartless individual or... wait, dont answer that.  

I was just wondering what everyone else's take is on this?  If you give money, why?  Is it out of a sincere belief that they need help or guilt or?

Just curious.

[iplaw]

With the abundance of social services available in Tulsa there really is no need for anyone to ask for money.  

Some are truly mental cases, I.E. the downtown screamer...and money won't do them any good either.

I worked downtown for quite a few years, and have heard every excuse in the book.  I was approached by this lady who used to haunt the visitor parking lot at the Boulder Towers.  She would drive around in her car and ask for money so she could buy gas to get back home on...the next time I saw here she was walking around our parking lot, and after asking me for money she asked me "Do I know you, you look familiar?" and I replied, "Yes, you asked me for money two weeks ago so that you could buy gas, I guess you haven't had much luck."

[Conan71]

Why would you go do physical labor when you can make $20 to $30 an hour, tax free, panhandling?

I occasionally give to someone, but I've gotten pretty good at recognizing the pros and won't help them.  If the story is too elaborate, or if they are missing half their teeth, weigh 70 pounds and covered in scabs, or unsteady on their feet- no go.  

If it's obvious someone is an addict or drunk, I'm not going to be helping them any by giving them cash.  They will feed their habit with my hard-earned cash.

Whenever I go to Arnies, I usually park in the back lot.  About every-other time, I get hit up by someone looking for money around the corner on Elgin.  Now when I see someone start to walk my way or make eye contact, I cut them off by asking if they can spot me ten bucks, they always turn around and walk off.

[grahambino]

I was putting air in my tires @ when i was approached by a vagrant.  She said she needed money for gas to get home to sand springs.  i gave her $1.  "dont you have more money?  i really need gas to get home."

"hey if you dont want the dollar, i'll take it back right now" i say.

"no no no, i'll keep it."  walks off doesnt say thank you or anything.  depends on my mood if hand out cash.  i felt generous that day, but &*#& that ungrateful attitude pissed me off.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by grahambino

I was putting air in my tires @ when i was approached by a vagrant.  She said she needed money for gas to get home to sand springs.  i gave her $1.  "dont you have more money?  i really need gas to get home."

"hey if you dont want the dollar, i'll take it back right now" i say.

"no no no, i'll keep it."  walks off doesnt say thank you or anything.  depends on my mood if hand out cash.  i felt generous that day, but &*#& that ungrateful attitude pissed me off.

Well, we're going to be popular around here! I haven't given in years. Sometimes I will buy food if they are hungry and will walk to a nearby fast food. Once I gave a guy a few bucks because I appreciate a good sales presentation. His was excellent and I told him so.

I almost cried when a woman sent her young child up to beg money from me for his crack addicted mom a mere twenty steps away. He was old enough to know (about 7 or and obviously had done it many times before.

On a grander scale, well meaning churches downtown encourage this behavior. It makes them feel like they are following scripture. I disagree.

So here comes the brickbats.

[sgrizzle]

I gave a guy asking for gas money some change. He was carrying a gas can, so it was convincing enough. I gave a guy in chicago a decent amount once because he had a well-versed story about being a professional basketball player who picked up a woman at a bar and got slipped rohipnol and had his wallet stolen. The 10 minutes it took him to tell the story was like TV for me. I've also given a guy downtown a ride to the bus station before.

The shift change always makes me laugh. The real professional bums I'll occasionally give food too but that is it.

[Hometown]

Protestants tend to believe that if they just work hard enough they'll work their way into heaven.  Or, if they just scrub hard enough they can remove every imperfection from their lives.  But God rains misfortune on the wicked and the just.  That means misfortune is random.  Misfortune is not earned.  I've seen highflying attorneys end up on the street.  I've seen old ladies sleeping on the street in the wealthiest nation the world has ever known.  

Come on Cannon Fodder are you really so cheap you can't cut loose of some change.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Protestants tend to believe that if they just work hard enough they'll work their way into heaven.  Or, if they just scrub hard enough they can remove every imperfection from their lives.  But God rains misfortune on the wicked and the just.  That means misfortune is random.  Misfortune is not earned.  I've seen highflying attorneys end up on the street.  I've seen old ladies sleeping on the street in the wealthiest nation the world has ever known.  

Come on Cannon Fodder are you really so cheap you can't cut loose of some change.

So, HT, do you give at every opportunity?  Or do you keep your window rolled up and stare straight ahead?

I thought scrubbing hard enough to remove imperfections was a Jewish concept.

[Breadburner]

I had a guy approach me at Home Depot...He had some brand new small lap blankets still in the package....He was already in the act of badgering a women when he threw the packaged blanket at me and told me to give him 15 dollars...I threw it back at him a said I was not interested nor did I have any cash....He then proceeded to tell me that I did have the money, which I again told him the same thing...He then told me that I needed to write him a check.....This almost got ugly but I decided to get in my car and drive off....I should have done the right thing and notified HD management and called the police....But I have been hit up many times over the years and a few times I bought into the sob story and ended up giving some money a couple of times it was 20 dollars but anymore I just say no...Or avoid the begger.....

[iplaw]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

But God rains misfortune on the wicked and the just.  That means misfortune is random.  Misfortune is not earned.  

Would you please direct me to the part of your Bible that this comes from?  I think you have the quote wrong Rev. Lovejoy...

[Dana431]

Twice in the past two weeks, I was approached by people wanting gas money at the 45th & Peoria Quiktrip.  The first guy drove his rusty subaru right up to the gas pump and immediately walked right to me asking for gas money.  They're getting inventive or maybe its ok to ask for handouts regardless of financial status.

[rwarn17588]

Wouldn't surprise me to soon see Hummer drivers begging for change at the gas islands.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

I had a guy approach me at Home Depot...He had some brand new small lap blankets still in the package....He was already in the act of badgering a women when he threw the packaged blanket at me and told me to give him 15 dollars...I threw it back at him a said I was not interested nor did I have any cash....He then proceeded to tell me that I did have the money, which I again told him the same thing...He then told me that I needed to write him a check.....This almost got ugly but I decided to get in my car and drive off....I should have done the right thing and notified HD management and called the police....But I have been hit up many times over the years and a few times I bought into the sob story and ended up giving some money a couple of times it was 20 dollars but anymore I just say no...Or avoid the begger.....

That is what a concealed-carry permit is for.  The sound of jacking a shell in the chamber is a pretty good deterrent for aggressive bums. []

[AMP]

I was approaced by a couple in Waco, Texas who's story was the trying to make it to OKC tale.

What was even more interesting was when they wound up in one of our shops near 21st and Garnett about 4 days later with the same story.  

Must of taken the wrong highway from Waco and missed OKC completly as they were asking for funding to make it to OKC.  

How strange is that?

There is a man that always starts his tale with "I am not a bum"  Gota love that one.  He and a friend in a small compact car worked the Quik Trip lot at 145th and Admiral for a few weeks.  His story was he was trying to get gas money to make it to Miami, Oklahoma.  He resembles Dennis Hopper and there was a building used in the Movie Rumble Fish with a scene in it featuring Dennis Hopper I believe.

Him being near that location was just as strange as the couple from Waco crossing my path twice.

Twilight Zone music begins to play....

[iplaw]

quote:Originally posted by AMP

I was approaced by a couple in Waco, Texas who's story was the trying to make it to OKC tale.

What was even more interesting was when they wound up in one of our shops near 21st and Garnett about 4 days later with the same story.  

Must of taken the wrong highway from Waco and missed OKC completly as they were asking for funding to make it to OKC.  

How strange is that?

There is a man that always starts his tale with "I am not a bum"  Gota love that one.  He and a friend in a small compact car worked the Quik Trip lot at 145th and Admiral for a few weeks.  His story was he was trying to get gas money to make it to Miami, Oklahoma.  He resembles Dennis Hopper and there was a building used in the Movie Rumble Fish with a scene in it featuring Dennis Hopper I believe.

Him being near that location was just as strange as the couple from Waco crossing my path twice.

Twilight Zone music begins to play....

Seen em' he hangs out at the 21st and Harvard QT as well.

Maybe we should have a bum watch thread.  Like a speed trap warning thread....