I always give to musicians and people who preform some soft of talent - I've heard some incredible music, saw some cool magic tricks and even was lucky enough to catch some incredible acrobats while waiting for/riding the train.
For those who beg for money I usually give based upon their enthusiasm. There's no realistic way for me to discern whether or not they really need the money so if they beg with some enthusiasm and what seems like a real need for the money then I might be inclined to spare some change.
But for those who look at my expectingly without even a kind word get nothing but an uninviting gaze.
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They have different priorities, and if those do not involve pulling one's own weight then they can do their thing. I will not, however, encourage said behavior. If a stranger wants to dance around on the freeway, is it generous of us to give them a tutu so they can dance better?
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What about that working-class person with a family to support and the misfortune of developing a debilitating illness. Surely it's their fault that they're all out on the street and that's just the price they have to pay for not pulling their own weight. Right?
I can understand being a bit on the defensive simply because they're hassling you for money that's rightfully yours but you can't possibly be that devoid of empathy.
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Sure, the beggars may be less fortunate than you are, but are you really improving their situation by giving them money so that they can buy booze? Or are you just enabling them to stay beggars? If they can get what they want without doing any real work, why should they bother to do any real work or become a productive member of society? I sure as hell am not going to perpetuate beggary by giving away my loot.
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While they certainly do beg for your money, who's to say they'll refuse a kind word or an endearing look - or maybe even that half-eaten sandwich you didn't finish from lunch. You certainly would still be giving something away for nothing but what if that act of kindness was all it took for them to believe in themselves enough to better their situation?
In all my dealings with the homeless I've learned that most of them just want to be heard and treated like a normal person.