Originally Posted by Martian

I wouldn't say you're a softie. At least, not in a negative way.

Most cultures and religions view charity as a virtue, and some even regard it as an obligation.

That said, I don't give money to beggars. Am I an unfeeling monster? Well, maybe. But my reasoning is that it's not a very efficient way of helping people; I may get a more immediate sense of gratification from giving a beggar a dollar, but once that dollar's spent it hasn't really changed things. I figure my money is better donated to charitable organizations who will reach out to large numbers of less fortunate individuals.

And, as usual when this subject comes up, I just want to take a quick moment to point out that buskers (aka street performers) are not the same as beggars. Buskers are rarely homeless, and it's not at all unusual for busking to be a career for them. It's common to see musicians, but of course there's also living statues, jugglers, magicians and puppeteers, to name a few. Frequently large cities will require buskers to be licensed to perform, and I know that Toronto at least holds annual auditions for the right to perform in subway stations.

A beggar is asking for help, while a busker is earning a living. I almost always give to buskers when I see them.