What is the etiquette when it comes to homeless people?

Question

I know I'll probably get a lot of rude and condescending answers regarding this post but I'm not sure what to do. I'm living in a big city and I've never really had to deal with homeless people before asking me for food or money and I'm not sure what I should do. Should I ignore them or politely say I'm sorry and keep walking? Is there a specific way to handle it?

Answer 1

Good question, I'm in the same situation as you! I just moved to the US and I was surprised at how many people were asking me for money, donations, for me to sign up for a new deal, and so on.

If you wish to help these people out, and can, then by all means do so. If not, I think that if they address you directly then you should say 'sorry' and keep walking. If they don't address you and there is no eye contact then you can politely ignore them. Trust me, you won't be the first person to do it, or the last, and they probably won't remember you the next day whether you give them money or not.

It can be awkward at times, like if somebody corners you and tries to make conversation about a new product or something. If that happens (and they don't take 'no' for an answer, which is often the case), you can let them know that you're in a hurry to get somewhere, or continue to talk to your friend/ listen to your mp3 player/ read your book/ carry on your phone conversation. You have a right to walk down the street or ride the subway in peace.

As hard as it seems, you will get used to it in time. Like my friends keep telling me, "you can't help everyone". I still feel guilty sometimes, but I myself can't really spare any money after my move anyway! I hope this doesn't sound silly, but you have to look out for yourself first.

Answer 2

Once I was in the Loop and this homeless man stopped me and the princess and asked us if we wanted a copy of "Streetwise" which is the paper put out by the homeless in Chicago to raise money for bums who refuse to work and join in everyday rigors of society anyways so I took his stupid  paper and gave him a buck just to get rid of him and he said ..."Where's my tip?" And I lost it and proceeded to yell and cuss the worthless sack of turds out and to get a job and pay taxes like the rest of us working people... I have been taken in by their hardships, sob stories and unbelievable bad luck before and they are pests, nags, bothersome and rude! My advice is do not make eye contact and ignore them and if they hassle or harass you and you feel threatened either taze or shoot pepper spray in the eyes and I guarantee they will never bother us again. Do not repeat do not feel sorry or believe anything these people say all they want is your money for dope and booze!!!

Answer 3

If they are panhandling on the street, ignore them because they are scamming you.  I personally know someone who makes $45,000 a year CASH panhandling.  

If you want to do something worthwhile, volunteer at either a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen.

Answer 4

if you have some change to give, give. if you're like me and only carry plastic, then tell them this and they will leave you alone.

Answer 5

Say no, sorry, and keep walking. You aren't obligated to speak to them. If you WANT to give them change, drop a few coins in their cup or hand and keep walking. If they become persistant and keep following you, give them a firm "I said NO!". Sometime some of them want to give you a long story and draw you into it. Just keep walking, you don't have to listen. Trust me, it isn't the first time someone's blew him or her off. Don't feel like you have to be nice to them because they're down on their luck. If they really wanted help there are places they could go for a meal (or even a bed, although most say they don't want to stay in shelters because of the fights, their stuff gets stolen, etc.). But you're under no obligation give them anything or even be nice to them. But a polite, "No, sorry" should suffice.

Oh, and speaking of the Streetwise scam, I rarely buy that paper, if ever, but once I tried to buy one from a guy who appeared to have a stack of papers. I paid it and he said 'Wow, do you really want to take my last one?" I discovered he had one Streetwise and the rest were some other free newspaper he had grabbed to make it look like he was an official Streetwise vendor. I yelled at him, told he he just ruined it for all the other Streetwise vendors. Then there was the guy who asked me for change, I gave him what I had in my pocket and he threw it on the ground because it had too many pennies in it. My friends had to hold me back from kicking his a**.

Answer 6

This is a very good question.  From 18 years of working in a big city the best thing I can tell you is if you want to give then give but realize something.  The next time you see that same homeless person they will expect it.  A coworker of mine the other day didn't have any change and passed by the usual homeless person and she bit his head off for not giving.  Most homeless people are nice and I even have one tip his hat to me every day I see him.  There are the others who seem under the influence at times.  There was a little old begger who used to be on the Mich Ave Bridge and one day my coworker saw him in his bank.  He had a perfectly good account and the bankers knew him on a first name basis.  So in other words he was a scam artist.  There were days he would even have a wheel chair.  So remember once you give they will expect it again and again.

Answer 7

Etiquette and homeless people? Welcome to Chicago! You will get cussed at spat at and all round creeped out...DO NOT give them ANY money! Many are scam artists, they have kids and dogs and look so sad but it's mostly all scams. Some may be sincere but do not give money, instead offer to buy them something to eat. If they get pissed off you know it's because they want money to buy drugs or booze. Donate your time or money to an organization such as a shelter or food pantry instead. Try The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Salvation Army, etc. You may also want to buy a Streetwise newspaper from a vendor for $1...make sure they are legit sellers by asking to see their badge. The paper is written and printed by people trying to get back on their feet,they buy the papers at around 35 cents each and get the profits, and it makes for a good read on the train.  

Answer 8

I always do the "sorry" and keep walking. Most of the time, I don't know whether to trust the person asking for money. Also, I recognized a good deal of them and knew they were getting by, at the very least. (Think of that if you're the type to feel guilty.)

Talking on your cell phone or plugging in to your MP3 player makes you look incredibly insecure, in my opinion, not to mention tuned out to your surroundings. Learn to carry yourself with confidence--this means learning how to firmly say, "Sorry, not today," and continuing briskly on your way. Don't rely on gadgets that only show off how moneyed you are.

Answer 9

Give money, say sorry, or ignore them but never talk down to or degrade them but you probably don't do that anyway.