Homeless.

[Dan]

Dragoncon is going on this weekend in Atlanta, as it does every Labor Day weekend. I had gone into the city Friday night to check it out and I ran into a couple homeless people. A very different couple of characters.

One asked me for a beer. It's still hot here, so one man can't begrudge another a cool drink on such a day. I went into the corner store and the clerk instantly shouted for security when he saw the guy I was with. Probably caused trouble earlier. He was put out so I went ahead and got him a Budweiser. Only a buck. He thanked me, walked with me and chatted for a while and then went his own way. I was slightly annoyed.

One I met on the way home from the convention. He asked me if I was leaving the convention and if I was going to return, I said no and he handed me a convention schedule saying if I saw something I liked, I could always go back later. He joked a bit about the crazy characters. He kept eye contact the whole time. Didn't change the direction he was walking to follow me. Kept his ground and talked, so I stopped as well. Humor was key; confidence, essential. I liked the guy. I knew what was coming, but I was suprised to hear him say he was staying with a shelter. "For the homeless, not the hopeless." Then indirectly asked for a donation.

The last was a guy in a wheelchair, holding out a cup - it was empty, poor guy. I gave him some change, he instantly dumped it out into a pouch - so that's why he had none. I was truly annoyed, especially since I had passed another guy in a wheelchair not even one block earlier, and who was even missing one leg, that had not even asked for anything. You could even see the difference in their transport...WHY THE HECK DID I GIVE CHANGE TO A GUY WITH AN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR?

Anyway, I don't mind helping out those less fortunate that are at least trying to help themselves. I really do wish that every cent I gave to charity could go to guys like the second one I mentioned. The others just give the homeless a bad name.

[Umiman]

Dan, no offense, but you are very... very... naive. The homeless are smarter than you think. They're not insane or retarded, and being on the streets breeds a more conniving breed of man. Personally, I don't consider the homeless any different from your average man. They got themselves into that position, evidently they can get themselves out if they really wanted to. But usually they don't. Just like how druggies don't usually really want to abandon their drugs.

If you want to be charitable, only give money to certified organizations. That way, you also get a tax rebate and you know that your money is being put to good use. Or you can be a real shamisen, like me, and when beggars ask you for donations, go and buy some food for them.

[Beware the talking cat]

Giving money to beggars sadly tends to be foolish these days. Food is a better choice, since it tends to be difficult to by drugs/alcohol with food. The problem with food of course, is it doesn't help them escape from homelessness; what they really need is a job and, well, a home. That's why organizations tend to be better sources for money, since they can do more than a single person can. And if you see a beggar, offer them food. Or a clean shirt and a shave. Or help finding a job.

[ainsoph9]

The problem with charitable organizations though is that you never truly know how much of said money actually reaches the people that need help. So, I guess volunteering is ultimately one of the best ways of helping if you want to do so. However, it seems like the number for those kinds of people is dwindling over time. Nobody wants to do what they perceive as more work, no matter how much it helps others. Also, it does not help that people cannot simply trust others anymore to do the right thing. It is little wonder why people are so self-apathetic.

[Rectifier]

They're just panhandling for heroin.

Stop being the enabler.

[Dan]

This is nothing new, I've had to deal with the homeless for these past four years. That second guy I mentioned is what made me think about how different they can be. I'm not trying to be malicious with this statement, but the homeless around here are stupid. They come up with varied and extravagant stories that sound practiced and meant to make you feel empathetic. This was the first guy I've come across with any sense of human dignity. I can respect that.