Why do people pretend to care about the homeless?

[Voice of Doom]

I once took in a young Austrian bodybuilder down on his luck...but he was stingy with the ass...so I kicked him out.   

[HTexan]

In the last three years I have had four different people ask if they could live in my guest room.  It is partially furnished with a bed and has its own bathroom.  One was a close friend who wanted to rent the room.  I told them all no without a second thought.  If you need help finding an apartment, I’ll help you look, drive you around, and help you evaluate the lease, but live in my home?  No.

One friend was a gym buddy.  The building he was living in was being sold and he had to move by December (he told me about the building sale in August).  Every time I saw him, I asked how the apartment hunt was going.  He never had an answer.  Then December rolls around and he calls me in a panic begging to move into my guestroom.  He said if I didn’t let him in, then he would have to sleep in his car!  With his dog!  I told him if that was true, then he would learn a valuable lesson because he had known about the need to move for at least four months and didn’t take appropriate action.  “Suddenly” he was desperate, and I was supposed to save him?  I think he was miffed at me because I didn’t hear from him for a long time after that.  Eventually, he sent me a text telling me that he had found an apartment and was no longer homeless.

Damn, you're ice cold.  A gym buddy isn't a real friend though, that is more like a work friend. Because they never see you after hours.

[BayGBM]

Damn, you're ice cold.  A gym buddy isn't a real friend though, that is more like a work friend. Because they never see you after hours.

One guy is my oldest friend around here.  He asked if I wanted rent my room out to him.  I told him no.  We are still best buds.  But he got where I was coming from and didn't take any offense.

The best way to solve a problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. 

[stuntmovie]

The homeless situation here in Vegas is a major problem.

Many homeless people live under the streets in the storm drains. In fact thee was even a popular book written about it.

A while back I was in a McDonald's and ordered a sack of burgers and a couple of sodas with the intent to give item to the bums outside.

I handed the sack to one of the guys thinking that he would pass them around, but he got pissed and said, "What the fuck am I supposed to do with this!?"

Whenever we are downtown on Fremont Street (lots of bums there) we always run into street people who just ran ut of gas. My response is,, "You're lieing. Tell me something truthful and I'll give you a dollar."

Some come back with, "You're a jerk!"  .....  So .... they get a dollar.

So I always carry a few one dollar bills for the honest bums.

I have yet to run into  a female bum here in  Vegas.

Apparently the ladies have other ways of making a buck or two.

[loco]

The homeless situation here in Vegas is a major problem.

Many homeless people live under the streets in the storm drains. In fact thee was even a popular book written about it.

A while back I was in a McDonald's and ordered a sack of burgers and a couple of sodas with the intent to give item to the bums outside.

I handed the sack to one of the guys thinking that he would pass them around, but he got pissed and said, "What the fuck am I supposed to do with this!?"

Whenever we are downtown on Fremont Street (lots of bums there) we always run into street people who just ran ut of gas. My response is,, "You're lieing. Tell me something truthful and I'll give you a dollar."

Some come back with, "You're a jerk!"  .....  So .... they get a dollar.

So I always carry a few one dollar bills for the honest bums.

I have yet to run into  a female bum here in  Vegas.

Apparently the ladies have other ways of making a buck or two.

Jerry: "You don't see any handsome homeless"

[Dan-O]

Jerry: "You don't see any handsome homeless"

If you do see a good-looking panhandler, chances are their Lexus is parked a few blocks away.

[megafitness]

The homeless situation here in Vegas is a major problem.

Many homeless people live under the streets in the storm drains. In fact thee was even a popular book written about it.

A while back I was in a McDonald's and ordered a sack of burgers and a couple of sodas with the intent to give item to the bums outside.

I handed the sack to one of the guys thinking that he would pass them around, but he got pissed and said, "What the fuck am I supposed to do with this!?"

Whenever we are downtown on Fremont Street (lots of bums there) we always run into street people who just ran ut of gas. My response is,, "You're lieing. Tell me something truthful and I'll give you a dollar."

Some come back with, "You're a jerk!"  .....  So .... they get a dollar.

So I always carry a few one dollar bills for the honest bums.

I have yet to run into  a female bum here in  Vegas.

Apparently the ladies have other ways of making a buck or two.

saw a film about the People living under vegas as you wrote...very sad.

[Board_SHERIF]

what about homely people ?

[Agnostic007]

Austin has a huge homeless problem. You can't pull up to a major intersection without one standing at your window. Walking down town, they are sleeping or sitting on the sidewalk. Carwashes are popular for them to hit you up for change. Just my opinion based on years of dealing with them.. Most have mental issues, or addictions, have burned every bridge they had of family that tried to help them so if you try and help them you will have no better luck.  Most have no interest in leaving the streets. They are used to it, have created a system to survive and just want money to buy whatever is the addiction of choice. They have a code amongst themselves over territory and personal belongings. Stabbings are not uncommon but rarely reported when one transient violates anothers space. These folks, I don't feel bad about other than it sucks they were dealt a hand that included addiction or mental illness.

There is a smaller group of homeless that are people who were living paycheck to paycheck and fell upon an unexpected event. They do want to get back into society and they will work. Those I don't mind helping and often do.

[Parker]

Props to you and this is why I have no sympathy for the homeless. If you take on in they will do shit like this or at least steal from you. My best friends dad is a good Christian man and took in a homeless man and yes he got burned. I remember the bum tried to sell me an air compressor once, hmm where does a bum acquire an air compressor?

Not sure about other places but near me I see mostly young able bodied homeless who are just lazy or on drugs choosing to be homeless. Seems like very few these days are just down on their luck and looking to get their lives back on track.

I believe Dan-o is trolling, oh.

[Parker]

Damn, you're ice cold.  A gym buddy isn't a real friend though, that is more like a work friend. Because they never see you after hours.

No, he is real. And his gym buddy has more respect for him because of the way he was treated. If you know months in advance, then don't come begging at the last moment asking for help---it also is a clue of how he would pay rent, if charged by his "gym buddy".

[The Scott]

They're on the corner with a sign until they get enough for their fix.

Fuck 'em.

[oldtimer1]

The US might be the only country on earth with fat poor people. I had a lot of dealing with the homeless. I was shocked how many had disability social security checks being deposited in their bank accounts. Two guys lived in side by side tents. One got a little over one thousand a month and the other around $900.  I asked them why they didn't look for a one room apartment and live together. Neither wanted to part with their money in the bank. I've also heard of professional beggars in NYC that are making $50 to $100 an hour begging on a cardboard box then go home to their houses changing into their clean clothes. I saw a guy with a Saxophone in the street playing and a fake homeless man set up almost right next to him. All the suckers were giving the "homeless" guy money pissing off the musician.

[BayGBM]

No, he is real. And his gym buddy has more respect for him because of the way he was treated. If you know months in advance, then don't come begging at the last moment asking for help---it also is a clue of how he would pay rent, if charged by his "gym buddy".

Touché!  I heard Antoine Vaillant was displaced and homeless for a while.  I might take HIM in.  He can pay me with training, putting together a good stack for me, and other stuff.  

[Dan-O]

I believe Dan-o is trolling, oh.

Nope, that account at least is 100% true and factual.  The driveway drug deal, the head lice, all of it.  A well-to-do friend offered put them up in a motel for a night after we kicked the guy out.  After that they were on their own.  It's unfortunate, but you just can't pull that kind of shit.

[Taffin]

In our city we've had a sudden outbreak this Spring of 'homeless' people setting up by traffic lights, complete with little hand made signs, seats, etc.  I've even seen tents and camping stoves.  Always on the drivers side... then a couple of times I noticed different guys using the same spot/gear, like they were a tag-team.

I couldn't work out what was going on until I spoke to an acquaintance who works in that sector.  Apparently the reason this is 'a thing' is that this stops people from passing food, trying to offer advice, etc. all they have time to do is hand over some change...

Quite ingenious really, and they don't even need to pretend to wash your windshield... 

[Parker]

Nope, that account at least is 100% true and factual.  The driveway drug deal, the head lice, all of it.  A well-to-do friend offered put them up in a motel for a night after we kicked the guy out.  After that they were on their own.  It's unfortunate, but you just can't pull that kind of shit.

Well, it was stupid. Did you ask yourself about why they have all those kids and a newborn? And the father played on your "sympathies". Best you could do is drive them or direct them to a homeless shelter.
Did he have a job? If not, how was he gonna pay you back for your "good faith"?
The sad part is that the kids are the ones to suffer, and your family had to suffer, with headlice.

In our city we've had a sudden outbreak this Spring of 'homeless' people setting up by traffic lights, complete with little hand made signs, seats, etc.  I've even seen tents and camping stoves.  Always on the drivers side... then a couple of times I noticed different guys using the same spot/gear, like they were a tag-team.

I couldn't work out what was going on until I spoke to an acquaintance who works in that sector.  Apparently the reason this is 'a thing' is that this stops people from passing food, trying to offer advice, etc. all they have time to do is hand over some change...

Quite ingenious really, and they don't even need to pretend to wash your windshield...  

Many make good money. Enough to buy brand new trucks and cars. Rent and house payments. All paid for by "sympathetic people". It's easier to beg and pan-handle than it is to work in a store or flip a burger. The ones who actually need help, don't get it...

[Tennisballz]

The reality is that most homeless can't be helped.  They are addicts, mentally ill or in most cases both.  Most will never use the public services provided to help them.  Our society has advanced to the point where it is not uncomfortable enough to be homeless to prevent people from doing it.  Unless there is a tremendous amount of research and money thrown at mental illness and severe penalties, such as execution, for drug dealers, homelessness will continue to get worse as the population keeps growing.

[Dan-O]

Well, it was stupid. Did you ask yourself about why they have all those kids and a newborn? And the father played on your "sympathies". Best you could do is drive them or direct them to a homeless shelter.
Did he have a job? If not, how was he gonna pay you back for your "good faith"?
The sad part is that the kids are the ones to suffer, and your family had to suffer, with headlice.

In hindsight, it certainly was stupid.  The dad talked a big game but as you might expect, he turned out to be full of shit.  Maybe after he fucked up that latest living arrangement, the wife was more convinced of what a dumbass he was so it helped drive her to leave him like she needed to, for the sake of her kids and herself.

We never expected to be paid back for our 'good faith'.  It was just about helping out a family in need.  Anyway, my dad always told me, never lend money that you can't afford to just give away.

[Henda]

Many are fucking bums who deserve to be homeless as have usually exhausted all options of friends and family offering accommodation by stealing from them or making no effort to help themselves and just lying around drunk or high as a kite on drugs so they refuse to help them further.

If one of my good friends were homeless I’d let them live with me on the understanding that it’s till they get themselves sorted, and they would probably have to sleep in the garage and do some of the housework that the woman normally does

[calfzilla]

Many are fucking bums who deserve to be homeless as have usually exhausted all options of friends and family offering accommodation by stealing from them or making no effort to help themselves and just lying around drunk or high as a kite on drugs so they refuse to help them further.

If one of my good friends were homeless I’d let them live with me on the understanding that it’s till they get themselves sorted, and they would probably have to sleep in the garage and do some of the housework that the woman normally does

Was hoping you would chime in. 

[cephissus]

They're on the corner with a sign until they get enough for their fix.

Fuck 'em.

can you remember a time in your life when you couldn't fool yourself with obvious lies? when you actually had to try a little and wouldn't settle for bottom of the barrel "truisms"?

I'm guessing not.

[stuntmovie]

Here's a reversal of what we have been duscussing above ..

Two family members were performers in Cirque du Soleil (Mystere in Las Vegas and the other was a Cirque muscian (drums) traveling throughout Europe. Both made damn good money and never had to beg for any.

When both met up in NYC for some conference they decided to do a gymnastic workout on a sunny day on one of the grassy fields in Central Park.

So they placed their shirts and baseball caps on the grass and started doing gymnastic stuff, handstands, etc.

After about 45 minutes they returned to their shirts and caps and found a bit over  $300 in nickles, dimes, and quaters along wth a sizeable number of dollar bills.

They had no intent to solicit funds but they did manage to leave that park with a feeling of gratitude for the people of NYC.

BUT ...... on their way home trough the Bronx they were beaten and robbed and left for dead!

That last sentence about the Bronx is a lie but all the rest is absolutely true.

Are there any New Yorkers here who are aware that a license is required befoe anyone can solicit or collect donations within the NYC subway system.

And by the way .... the world reknown Subway Sandwich company was actually started by two young guys making and selling Subway sandwiches in that New York Subway system.

I met them both the first few months in which they started the business and one of the original guys just recently passed away.

We called those sandwiches HOGIES way back then.

Sorry .. Off track.

[Primemuscle]

If they truly care then wouldn’t they invite one homeless person to stay with them?

I guess it’s just virtue signaling.

In Portland there's no need to invite homeless folks on to your property, some move in without an invitation. It's part of urban density program. Last week this fellow was stabbed 17 times by a homeless man who was setting up camp. Why? He asked the homeless person to move on.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/29/oregon-man-stabbed-17-times-after-telling-homeless-man-to-move-daughter-says.html

I care. When my nephew was homeless, My wife and I provided him a place to stay until he got back on his feet, which took a couple of months.

[Agnostic007]

Here's a reversal of what we have been duscussing above ..

Two family members were performers in Cirque du Soleil (Mystere in Las Vegas and the other was a Cirque muscian (drums) traveling throughout Europe. Both made damn good money and never had to beg for any.

When both met up in NYC for some conference they decided to do a gymnastic workout on a sunny day on one of the grassy fields in Central Park.

So they placed their shirts and baseball caps on the grass and started doing gymnastic stuff, handstands, etc.

After about 45 minutes they returned to their shirts and caps and found a bit over  $300 in nickles, dimes, and quaters along wth a sizeable number of dollar bills.

They had no intent to solicit funds but they did manage to leave that park with a feeling of gratitude for the people of NYC.

BUT ...... on their way home trough the Bronx they were beaten and robbed and left for dead!

That last sentence about the Bronx is a lie but all the rest is absolutely true.

Are there any New Yorkers here who are aware that a license is required befoe anyone can solicit or collect donations within the NYC subway system.

And by the way .... the world reknown Subway Sandwich company was actually started by two young guys making and selling Subway sandwiches in that New York Subway system.

I met them both the first few months in which they started the business and one of the original guys just recently passed away.

We called those sandwiches HOGIES way back then.

Sorry .. Off track.

I don't think so. They were in Connecticut and started out as Peters Submarine Sandwiches. I used to own a franchise.