Do you guys give them money? Turn away? Get on their case?
I was on the train today and some dick, as able bodied as they get, is meandering through with a popeye's chicken cup asking for money or food. There's a mother sitting there with her 3 year old in a stroller, and she feels bad and gives him some change.
When he walked by me, I told him he was rude for taking money from a woman who's there with a small child. He then started foaming at the mouth motherf**er this motherf**er that he ain't askin for shit do I want some bla bla. I just repeated to him that it's just rude and let him cuss his way down the aisle.
I know the job market has gone to shit, but I see a lot of these people and all I can think is "Fucking crackhead". I see immigrants who can't speak much english standing around at the gas station in the Georgia summer heat looking for an opportunity to work for money, and assholes like this who are perfectly capable of doing it don't even make the effort.
I see people give them cash, and I can see how much they're making an hour (by way of how many they get to give them change per train car, and how long it takes them to walk it), and apparently panhandling has become good source of income (albeit totally parasitic).
It's just reallly starting to irritate me that it's become socially acceptable enough for some schmuck to just waltz around asking for handouts without even feigning a disability / mental problem / whatever and it also irritates me that people feel guilty enough to give them some. A kick in the face is what some of these assholes need...
I'm not opposed to charity. I donate what I can, but through charitable organizations where I know it's going to be spent on food / shelter / etc and not drugs, cigs, alchohol, hookers, etc.
Grrrrr.
Some are legit, some are scammers. Most of those around here I know, both the real and the absolute fakes. Some take food, some only money. Some use money towards shelter or food, others for illicit purposes (drugs, alcohol). There are the mentally ill, who hit the streets that way- many turned out by psychiatric hospitals. There are the mentally ill who became that way after years out in the streets. Many become claustrophobic after years outdoors and are unable without counsel to return to indoor living- they often even get shaky when in food kitchens. With time, they can usually make it back.
The shelters? Many are so dangerous that even a hardened criminal would be loathe to staying in them. Think they're so good? Then spend a few nights in one.
The homeless and the panhandlers-
Take Eddie for example. Eddie is a scammer plain and simple. He giives cock and bull stories about his alleged cancer- for 15 years now it's been "I ain't gonna make til Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter (depending on the time of year). A few years back they had to cut off his arm
He told us this and then got more money. Supposedly he had left only an arm stump at the elbow.
Miiacle of miracles, one day his arm grew back! Yes, there it was, good as new.
Or the time he told of how cold it was at night and I got him a blanket, the next day I saw him and in conversation he said he'd tossed it. Couldn't be bothered lugging it around. A year or so later, I spotted him on 10th street by the fire department, he indicated they gave him blankets on a regular basis (5 or 6 a week); but, damn, they weren't giving him one now, and hey, he needed 50 bucks for a night at a flop house. Eddie get's threatening if you don't hand him money. Don't get too sympathetic. One day after he gave an epic spiel about needing X dollars for whatever, I saw him standing at a restaurant take-out window. He took out a wallet and it was bulging with green and white monetary notes. He took one out, handed it over and got his food and some paper currency back. Eddie also gets food for free from several places. He uses his money to buy pot and other substances- you can catch him over at Washington Square Park sometimes making the purchase. If you say anything, he claims he was buying for somebody else.
Lately Eddie began wearing stylish clothes and a leather vest- he still begs for cash; but, with that look and a teetering economy, the bucket goes unfilled.
Speaking of flop houses, how can I forget Ronnie? Ronnie got me one morning over on 4th near 6th Avenue. He was going to head over to get a room for a few nights, needed some money. I went a few blocks and a half hour later, there he was. Told how his cart had been stolen when he went to pay for the space. Miracle of miracles! I walked around the corner to get a cup of coffee at that Grrek place on Grove (it's yet another Starbuck's now
) and there was Ronnie's cart. (I guess the thief
must have felt bad. Ronnie died a few years back after some 40 years in the streets. As near as I could tell, Ronnie never was approached by any of those social workers and groups who steal our money claiming to aid the homeless. Ronnie was annoying; but he wasn't mean spirited and never got angry if you didn't hand him money.
Linus is another matter. Linus is mentally ill and a charmer. He still asks if you can 'spare a dime'. He smiles even if you say no or even if you hand him only a penny. Once after declining to help him, I wandered into a deli and placed an order. Linus walked in, placed an order. I told Omri or Homni to charge it to me. Linus thanked me; but, I have to say, I felt doubly bad. I had lied to Linus and then forced my 'charity' upon him. I haven't seen Linus lately, I hope he's okay. It's been powerful hot and Linus is not all there, usually at least once or twice a summer, I see him wandering along in the boiling hot sun, burned to crisp. Linus takes a haircut a few times a year. The day before he looks scruffy and derelict, the following day, he's dapper and looks like he'd make an excellent escort to an orgy:redface:. If you see Linus, tell him I've got a fiver for him.
And Debra. Debra is a sweet woman. She'd help out anyone and everyone in spot. Offers helpful advice, and either you give or you don't, she says not a word if you don't and lights up with a beaming smile if you help with money, food or just a few pleasant words. She's had a place to stay at times; invariably she loses them, as she's never yet been taught basic life skills.
Carlos was a disaster and a disgrace. He's one of those, who give both panhandlers and homeless people a bad reputation. He's dead so I will say no more.
The bird lady was a fun one. She'd be over at Shady Rest Park, Part 2 and feeding the pigeons. At some point she'd leap up and start screaming about traitors and spies. Then just as quick, she'd sit back down. She spent nights, especially in winter, sleeping on the heat exhaust grate by the Chinese restaurant. One day, the grate was cemented over and the bird lady disappeared soon after. A year later she was back, all cleaned up and apparently sane. She sat on her old bench for a few minutes, stood up and left. Never saw her again.
There's Ernie. Ernie comes and goes. He gets it together at times, still has an occasional trip to the dark side with beer and some dry goods. Cleans up, is good for a while and then something sets him off kilter and he get's evicted again or ousted from a halfway or three-quarters residence. July is coming up- every other day, Ernie will mention his birthday. It's a not so subtle way of asking for money. I last saw him in March over on 7th Avenue. Saw him twice that day.
The panhandlers and homeless are a mix. Some have chances some don't seem to or at least have no idea of how to wend their way through the system to get help. Some use money for food and shelter, others for drugs and liquor. I get to know each of them and have the regulars I will help when I can. Others I see and just talk to them a few minutes. More than 20 years ago, John told me that meant the world to him (and others, both homeless and panhandlers looking to help feed a family) as it's an acknowledgement of a person of worth.
