Panhandlers

Most, if not all, of us have experienced that awkward moment when you're a red light or waiting at a crosswalk where a panhandler (usually homeless) is just staring at you while holding a sign requesting money (and anything would help); time seems to moving a bit slower too. And their eyes may not even be glaring directly at me but for some reason my minds seems to think so; maybe it's a sign of guilt (which I probably shouldn't have). While I wouldn't consider myself affluent, I am comfortable financially but I refuse to give any money to those begging for money in Fort Wayne. 

Since being in Fort Wayne for two years now, I've seen the same people in the some areas for majority of the time I've been here (e.g. a women outside a Walmart in a shady area); and each and every time, I see them wearing something different from the last. There has been many news stories about how panhandling has become a profitable business for some (even here in Fort Wayne); some making more than many people with respectable hardworking jobs. This is just one of the reasons I don't like to give. Another reason is that I don't think that someone has to panhandle for over two years in order to get back from being homeless even in this down economy; I also don't want to further fuel their addictions if they have some. Then, there is lack of small bills since I only use cash when I need to, which is very rare. There are many more effective ways to get back on your feet than panhandling, in my opinion.

So what spurred the writing of this blog post? Well, as I was driving by one of those common places for a panhandler to be in town, I saw a young man get out of his parent's car to give the man something (I assume money) and a handshake with a short conversation. I felt gleeful by just seeing such an act, further reminding that there are upstanding people in this world. (Great break from the cynical mass media) 

What are your thoughts on panhandlers?