I usually say something to the effect of "Sorry, friend". I assume the money would go to booze/drugs, but I try not to be rude to them, anyways. Every once in a while I'll give a little if I get a good vibe from them.

I always appreciate the honesty of one who wields a sign reading, "Need
Beer Money"

It really depends... on what the laws are, whether I am in a familiar neighborhood (do they beg there every day?), what kind of mood I'm in, how much money I have, how unable to work they seem. In NYC, begging is illegal and furthermore gets quite intrusive (especially when you are trapped on the subway car with people walking through telling everyone their sob story), so I almost never gave anything (the rare exceptions were usually people with advanced AIDS, but I did give money to this legless guy singing Stevie Wonder at the top of his lungs once). And yes, you definitely learn to avert your eyes if you live in a major city. I did administrative work at a homeless shelter for a while and volunteered counseling at a hotline for a year. The "buying them food" option seems like a good idea, but frankly I don't usually have the time, and furthermore I would find it uncomfortable to spend much time with them. I would, however, give them something (bag of chips, bottle of juice, etc.) if I already had it with me. * I have that feeling that often money would be used for drugs or booze too, but a boyfriend once pointed out that if they are dying or beyond hope, that may be their last pleasure in life and he saw nothing wrong with granting them that pleasure. You could view it as not any worse than keeping their body alive a bit longer by feeding them.

It usually depends on how much money I have in my pocket at the time. I will usually try to give them something. If I am in a high density area, like Harvard Sq. then the first one will usually get something and that is about it. Also the more passive ones will usually win over the more aggressive. I am extremely opposed to the theory that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, I work the other way.

It depends greatly on my mood. Perhaps give them pocket change, if asked. I frequently get asked for cigarettes and these I will give out almost all the time. In all cases, make eye contact and nod/say "hello"/perform some form of greeting if they are looking at me (the same as I do for any person).
I have bought food and/or coffee for them in the past, although not frequently. I'm generally uncomfortable giving charity, since I would be uncomfortable receiving it and I (unconsciously) assume that everyone else must be the same way.

I'll usually make eye contact with anyone lookign up high enough to meet my eyes. I'll usually give either a dollar or all the change in my pocket (more or less than a dollar). this is dependant on how strapped I am.. meaning if I have very little (under $10) money, have recenlty had large bills and have to wait a until next week before I have more money. It also depends on the person. if they are always asking in the same spot and they have shown that they intend it for lottery tickets and/or booze then I won't give to them.

Generally? I try to avoid contact. I do not like being bothered while walking down the street. This goes for pan-handlers and Christians or anyone. If you are begging then you aren't bothered by doing menial tasks. Find a shelter that will allow you to use them as a maildrop and get a job at McDonald's or some other fastfood restaurant.

Ugh, I feel entirely un-Christian.

One of the only people I have handed money to on the street was a guy who said "Could I have a sorry, please?" I was already automatically saying "Sorry," and he said "Thanks, that was great!" I was so amused that I stopped and gave him something. I've been weaning myself off sorry...lately I just shake my head. In Boston I gave money to a church which provided dinner on Monday night (no religious stuff involved, just dinner) and gave its contributors business cards with info about the program to pass out to homeless people instead of money. I really like that system.

It used to depend on my mood--sometimes I'd say "No, sorry" and sometimes I'd give them something--but now I tend not to give people money directly, because I don't want to buy anybody alcohol. I give money to shelters and food banks instead.

I was curious what other people do, because I sometimes feel bad that I don't do more, in terms of giving both money and human interaction

For me, it depends a lot on the person and my mood and finances. In general, if I'm not terribly broke and the person isn't too scary, I try to give them whatever change I have in my pockets. I'm not comfortable taking out a wallet, usually. I do usually try to at least look at them and say "sorry" - I've heard from people who have spent time on the street that the worst thing is being treated like you're invisible or non-existent.

When my family went to Israel, my dad brought along a bunch of money for the sole purpose of giving it away. He made it a point to give something to everyone who asked. For some reason, I both really respected this and also found it somewhat annoying - maybe because most of the people who asked were ultra-religious Jews asking on behalf of their yeshiva so that the men could stay there and learn and let their wives try to earn a living for them. (Not that that's necessarily any worse than the man working and the woman being a housewife, but it feels weird to me.)

I never fail to give to recognized charities such as the Salvation Army or the Shriners, esp. during the holidays, but I just do not encounter beggers as part of my daily life. When I go to Mexico I try to always buy gum or whatever from the little children on the streets. When I lived in Iran, a good Moslem friend taught me to never pass up a begger or it was bad for your relationship with God. That did get very trying when you get the reputation for being an easy mark & seem to have the same beggers in your face every time you turn around. I'm a sap when it comes to deformed infants & children. If I knew of anyone without food I would clean out my pantry for them. I can't imagine giving money to an able-bodied adult, but I would give them food or buy them a meal. There but by the grace of God...

If they have children with then I can't pass them up. I'm sure in many cases the children don't see any of the money (they may not even be their kids) but I have a hard time thinking those little kids might be hungry. They wouldn't be any worse off if I gave them a few dollars.

What's really sad is that you learn to avoid eye contact with everyone, not just beggars, when you live in a major city. Three years ago, I moved from the Boston area to a small town in Montana. Since then, I've learned to meet people's eyes and smile at them when I walk down the street. When I go back to the city now, I sometimes try to meet people's eyes (usually only if I think they're not going to ask me for money, but not always). Mostly it doesn't work, but every once in a while it does. And it's really fun to see the surprise on their faces.

Depends on how prepared I am, If I see them ahead of me and I'm in the right kind of mood, I'll pull a dollar out of my wallet and hand it to them as I walk by. If the are upon me suddenly I never feel comfortable enough to pull out my wallet in front of them. Also I prefer the exchange to be quick to minimize embarrassment. Generally, I ignore them though.
* doom, bless you for working the other way. I am also really unhappy with the squeaky wheel syndrome.
** lara, one day when I was in college a female student came walking along. She looked right at me and smiled. I thought she liked me or something. Eventually I realized that she was just like that, she was from a rural area where people were friendly. I'm not even from a city, I'm from a suburban area and I still have the "don't look people in the eyes" training.

There's one woman I've seen begging for for money in the Kendall Square/Harvard Square area of Cambridge for the last 15 years. She's still doing it. She's always got a nice shiny new bike with her. Last time I saw her she was wearing a sweatshirt with some custom message about giving her money on it ("Help me feed my children" or something like that). I have a hard time believing she's doing this because she has to.

Shriners prevented me from seeing a movie once.

I completely ignore them. Sometimes, if I'm feeling particularly evil I'll take some change out of my pocket as if to give it to them and then just count it or put it back in my pocket.
MILKTREE: YAY! HOW WONDERFUL FOR YOU! I'm so pleased!

I think the only time this has happened to me was in downtown Richmond, VA - a scary guy who was very belligerent and jumped in front of me and wouldn't let me walk down the sidewalk, and he had friends with him.

In San Francisco a number of business are carrying signs with the slogan "Make Change, Don't Give it" and a list of local homeless organizations to donate money to. I think its pretty cool idea.

A friend of mine and I were walking thru the Haight district once when this kid says "Hey, do you have any change so I can call someone who doesn't care?" My friend's response - "Don't bother calling, you just found someone." The Haight is a gathering place for young "professional homeless." the kind of people homeless organization don't care for since they put a drain on resources which could otherwise go to people in real need.

Ignore them while wondering how far I am from being them

Generally make eye contact and say "sorry". (lara: I've lived in a city all my life and still say hi to people who seem affable; it can be done!) I've given money a few times, usually when I've just gotten a raise or am otherwise feeling like my cup runneth over; usually I don't. I often give people leftovers from restaurants if I have any on me. Several years ago a guy started giving me his whole sob story on the T and I cut him off with "I haven't had a job in months, my fiancee just dumped me, and my father died last week. I'm *really* not in the mood for this." He backed away quickly. I'm not entirely proud of this but it makes a good story.

I try to give them some money, but only if I have it to give. I always give to begging musicians (like in a subway station or in a park). And if they're playing guitar, Pete sometimes tips them with money and a guitar pick - which I thought was cool!!!

I live in the Haight-Ashbury and get really tired of teenage runaway panhandlers... "Go home, Loretta. Your mama's waiting for you. Wearing her high heel shoes... and low neck sweater." I do like to give money to street musicians sometimes; I feel that they are giving me something of value.

I don't mind, if they're polite. I make eye contact, usually ask what they want the money for, and such. I do not usually give them any money though.

I've given money to street musicians on rare occassions when I thought they were good. I don't usually give money to street people, and I hate being asked, but I've been known to give out my pocket change depending on my mood. I once gave a lady a buck who said she needed a train ticket to get out of town to escape her abusive boyfriend. I have no idea if the story was true or not.

fifty cents to a dollar or so.

Depends on attitude.

I always make eye-contact...makes it seem more real to me and then I don't feel bad about giving money away (the way my dad raised me never go "give" anything away), I usually give money (however much I have to spare, at least a few cents) if they look and smell like they're true bums...usually throwup on their clothes and reek of alcohol. many times if they don't look or smell that way a friend will say they know this person is handicapped and cannot work or something and I'll give them money too. And even if I don't have a few cents I'll always tell them "God Bless You, and bring you luck"

jonas: for many bums drugs and alcohol are the only way they survive on the streets...many of them cannot get jobs and have no choice about the streets.

lisashea: many homeless don't want to admit they can't do it on their own...that's for those who go to the charities and shelters. They may stop on soup kitchens for a decent meal, but usually they think that depending upon the generosity of others directly instead of through an organization makes it seem like more people care there is a problem and makes them feel better about themselves.

lisashea: again read the first line....they try to do it themselves. I myself am not far from this type of thing (luckily I have a fiance who understands me and will help me if this ever happens). I have multiple Personality Disorder and it affects me when I'm on an assembly line or computer or anything too long. But I love doing this kind of work. I work as long as possible and most companies will make an effort to move me around so I don't flip to an alter who cannot do the work. There are some people with these kinds of mental disorders that the state hospital cannot or will not treat or house so they must live out on the street.

I don't give eye contact and don't give money. I donate a lot to organized charities and give to food drives, so I don't feel I should give also to individuals who happen to be more aggressive than other needy individuals.

Pookster: I doubt begging for money makes anyone feel good about him or herself ... people who are just "given" support in my opinion are far different from people who "make an effort" for this support. There are, essentially, jobs that any human being could do, if that human being but makes an effort. I know people on welfare, and "bums", and those who motivate themselves do indeed get a better life. I avidly support those people. I don't support people who sit in subways harassing people because they "deserve" the dole. Just my opinion.

Pookster: If someone has a real mental problem, then the state should make treatment available. I fully agree with that statement. I work to have THAT happen; I also support charities that give food and shelter to people. I don't "enable people to continue living by begging" by giving to beggars myself. What if nobody gave money to beggars? They wouldn't have begging as an option and might seek other options. I work for positive causes, not help support negative situations. People who give to beggars, think "that's a shame" but don't do anything else to *make something better happen* are not doing anyone much of a service. Again, just my opinion of course. Also, I thought you were a pediatrician intern?

in worcester, i ask if they know that FOOD NOT BOMBS serves food to days a week. I also ask if they know about the free store located in firecracker, so they can get clothes and blankets etcetera.

Depends on my money situation, which usually isn't good enough to give over some cash. Usually I use bank cards to buy stuff when in places that have beggars, so I don't have pocket cash.

I live in a small town and we only have two men who are always on this one street corner. I didn't have any money on me at first and sort of kept a mental note to give them some money. When I first saw them they both had a sling thingy on their right arms, but when I saw them again they both had the slings on their left arms. Needless to say, they never got my money.

Wish I could give them money but most of them look like they are drug addicts. I'm also afraid of suffering bodily harm.

i usualy just give them change or a dollar. my mom said to my dad omnce (who is dead set aganst pan handling) i would rather give it to someomne who doesnt really needit then not give it to omeonme who really did.

spare change. Unless they're a really awesome bohemian type, then maybe more.