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Thread: Im terrified of homless people.

  1. #26
    God/dess JaneBurgess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    LMAO!! If you really think that you are either heartless or nieve. You have a high unemployment rate right now and many people when they lost their jobs, they also lost their houses in time Plus you have people that are mentally sick, fleeing abuse, ex military with issues, people with disabilities, etc that are homeless. A large majority are NOT drug addicts. Yes they all make millions of dollars and are living in mansions.

    If you think there are enough government services or funds to help every homeless person you need to step out of your world and step into the real world.

    I can't even believe some of these comments.



    Quote Originally Posted by goreantx View Post
    They are going to spend it on drugs. They could get help from any number of shelters/government programs if they really wanted it, but they don't because they are addicts. Also, panhandling is illegal without a permit, and they make retarded amounts of money. Especially in Dallas!

    Whenever I get stopped by a beggar I tell them "I'm sorry but I just carry credit cards!"

    In Dallas, join the club and carry a concealed weapon like everyone else. Like *EVERYONE* else.

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    Every time I see a homeless person, (which in the city is every minute, or so, I say to myself- "There, but for the grace of God, go I". I'm always one paycheck away from being homeless. I have empathy for all of them.

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    Featured Member OJenni!'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    I have been watching this guy's channel for years. So many of the people he interviews are normal everyday people. A few are drug/alcohol addicts and a few are mentally ill, but the vast majority are average low income people. Homeless can be you or me.




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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    Here's an article by someone who has actually experienced being homeless:

    http://www.cracked.com/article_20720...-homeless.html

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    I was like you and grew up in a suburban town and then moved to the downtown area with lots of homeless people. At first I spent a lot of energy worrying about them and trying to help them, giving them money, food, coupons for free hot dogs, blankets, water bottles, etc. However, after a couple years I guess I have just become a little jaded. One time, a guy was begging outside a McDonalds, so I went through the drive through and got him an entire Big Mac meal and when I tried to give it to him he straight up cussed me out and said he needed money not food.
    I also see groups of people who will all stand at 4 different lights of the same freeway intersection begging for money, and then after a certain period of time they all pool their money and I know that they are pooling it to buy drugs.
    Once I even tried to get a guy that I felt really bad for a job and I lined up a job for him all he had to do was go t the DMV and get a copy of his drivers license. I gave him money for the license and even offered him a ride to the DMV but he said he'd rather take the bus so I gave him bus fare. Of course, every time I saw him after that there was some excuse as to why he didn't get that job.
    I know that they are not ALL on drugs but I guess I assume that many, if not most are. I understand that addiction is a disease that is hard to overcome, but I don't feel comfortable giving them money when I pretty much know where it will be going. I also don't assume that all are lazy, and that some have mental illnesses that inhibit them from holding a job, but I really do feel that they could be working. I mean, at the very least, what is stopping them from standing with the Mexicans in front of Home Depot to try to get a few landscaping gigs? I ask this honestly. I know I'm probably gonna get torn to shreds for saying this stuff on here. I don't know the plight of homelessness and do feel bad for them, but the days of me giving out my money are over. I have no shame in saying "No, sorry" when they ask for change. I leave water bottles in front of my house in the summer, and blankets on cold winter nights. But no more money.

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    If I knew they all were funding addictions I probably won't give money either, but I always think there is at least one of them that is hungry and that is why I help the others. Although I agree with you that 90 percent of them are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and probably use their welfare disability checks from social security on that instead of a home to live in.

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    lol drug addiction IS a mental illness!! so a lot have mental illnesses, including but not limited to, drug addiction ..and others are just less fortunate than you. i've been homeless before..never begged for money, but still. if you've never been homeless, be grateful instead of judgmental. i've known a lot of friends who have been suddenly homeless and let me tell you the shelters and programs they have don't reach all ppl or help them. so unless you have been in that position, you really don't know!!!

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  13. #33
    God/dess JaneBurgess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    Then I agree that 90 percent of the people in the adult industry are addicted to drugs and are whores that aren't bright enough to get a "real" job. That's what the public thinks and says so it MUST be true.


    Quote Originally Posted by sman1109 View Post
    If I knew they all were funding addictions I probably won't give money either, but I always think there is at least one of them that is hungry and that is why I help the others. Although I agree with you that 90 percent of them are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and probably use their welfare disability checks from social security on that instead of a home to live in.

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    Moderator Optimist's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    Quote Originally Posted by JaneBurgess View Post
    Then I agree that 90 percent of the people in the adult industry are addicted to drugs and are whores that aren't bright enough to get a "real" job. That's what the public thinks and says so it MUST be true.
    All joking aside it it ironic to read threads on sharing what your favorite drugs are and on heavy alcohol use to cope with the job next to this thread judging the homeless harshly for the small % who do the same to get through their nights and days. Rather unexpected.
    “What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE

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  17. #35
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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    I'm from Dallas and I have done homeless volunteer work my entire life. I also don't have time to read this whole thread, so please forgive me if I repeat anything anyone else has said.

    Firstly, thank you so much for your compassion. You have a big, wonderful heart and I can tell just by reading your post. But please do not EVER give money to panhandlers. Substance abuse and mental illness are the leading causes of homelessness. Handing money to a sufferer of substance abuse is basically like putting ammo in the gun of a suicidal person. Panhandlers in Dallas can also make up to $700 a day (I'm not kidding). Not ALL homeless people are drug addicts (and there is absolutely no reason to judge the ones who are), but like I said, that and mental illness/disability are the most common causes. So please do not give money. Here are some better ideas:

    -Make "compassion kits". For your car, you can make a few gallon size Ziploc bags with travel sized toiletries, non-perishable snacks, paperback books, dollar store flashlights, rain ponchos, and information on local resources. If that's too much work, just get some 8 oz water bottles and packages of peanut butter crackers and throw them in your glovebox or center console. You can also keep a few packets of those crackers in your purse for when you're on foot.

    -Your time is more valuable than any gift. IF THE SITUATION IS SAFE, you can invite the person to lunch with you, or spend 3 minutes on the street asking them how their day is going or telling them they will be in your thoughts and prayers. If this isn't an option, I always stop walking and give them enough respect to say, "I'm sorry, I don't have any money or supplies for you right now, but I am very sorry you're going through this. I sincerely hope that things get better for you, and I will be praying for that to happen". I shake their hand or hug them, and keep going about my day. It may be empty words, but it's better than walking past them like they're dogs. Again, ONLY do this if the situation is safe. Do not let your big heart get in the way of your judgment.

    -Do actual volunteer work. Like I said, I've been volunteering in Dallas my entire life. Literally. I was homeless growing up, and the way my dad made light of our situation was by convincing us we were only there to help. If you are ever interested in giving a few hours of your time to sort food donations, deliver coffee and blankets on a cold day, or mentor a woman to help her get off the street, please PM me and I can direct you to a wealth of resources.


    And now, tips for protection:

    -First rule of self defense is reasonable avoidance of danger. Don't hole up in your apartment like a hobbit, but don't walk down dark alleys either. If you EVER feel like something is even slightly wrong in your environment, get out ASAP. Just use common sense. Don't go jogging at midnight in high crime areas, etc.

    -Always be aware of your surroundings. Don't ever get lost in your cell phone or be so busy digging through your purse that you don't notice a man's been following you or that it's gotten dark outside. Don't walk through narrow passageways where you could be easily cornered. Don't be paranoid, just pay attention.

    -Don't be afraid to draw attention to yourself if you're in danger. If someone is harassing you and things are going south fast, do not be afraid to ask a passerby for help or if you are really uncomfortable, even yell out. I've said, "YOU NEED TO LEAVE ME ALONE" very loudly on the bus before to someone who was harassing me, and he got embarrassed/scared and quickly got off the bus. God forbid you are ever in real danger, but just in case that happens, do not freeze up.

    -Carry a weapon, but know how to use it!! I have a CHL but I would not recommend that unless you are 100% comfortable with guns and dedicated to regular training. Knives are another option but also require training and regular practice. I consider pepper spray the bottom rung on the weapon ladder and the first resort if I am threatened. (I carry all three of these) But even if you have a pepper spray, get some advice on how to carry and use it, and get an extra one to practice on a day with NO WIND and no people around so that you are completely comfortable with using it if the time comes.

    Welcome to Dallas, most importantly!! This is a wonderful city. If you ever need any more advice or anything, do not hesitate to send me a message.

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    It really is. I was so shocked and disappointed when I read many of these comments. We work in an industry of constant judgement and many people in this industry have issues from mental illness to drugs to abuse. You would think they would have more compassion for another human being. If you don't know why a person is homeless, don't just assume they are addicts and dangerous. That's just so wrong.


    Quote Originally Posted by Optimist View Post
    All joking aside it it ironic to read threads on sharing what your favorite drugs are and on heavy alcohol use to cope with the job next to this thread judging the homeless harshly for the small % who do the same to get through their nights and days. Rather unexpected.

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    According to the article I linked to in my previous post, many people become addicts as a result of being homeless, rather than becoming homeless because they are addicts. If you're homeless and unemployed, you have lots of free time without having anything to do. You don't have television or internet. As a result, many homeless people become addicts.

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    Quote Originally Posted by Stormi Weather View Post
    I'm from Dallas and I have done homeless volunteer work my entire life. I also don't have time to read this whole thread, so please forgive me if I repeat anything anyone else has said.

    Firstly, thank you so much for your compassion. You have a big, wonderful heart and I can tell just by reading your post. But please do not EVER give money to panhandlers. Substance abuse and mental illness are the leading causes of homelessness. Handing money to a sufferer of substance abuse is basically like putting ammo in the gun of a suicidal person. Panhandlers in Dallas can also make up to $700 a day (I'm not kidding).
    This is the one thing I could never bring myself to do as a homeless person. Panhandle. You really have to swallow your pride to do that. I would venture to guess the vast majority of homeless feel the same way I do. That said from what I hear big earning days like that do happen, but are not that common. There are also some pimps that oversee panhandlers.

    I would say that the vast majority of homeless do not panhandle. However I do think that of those that do panhandle mental health issues are very common.

    I think your tips for protection are pretty spot on, that said most panhandlers are not aggressive and the ones that are most likely heckle people by yelling/saying things and that's about it. I think your tips could very much apply to ANYONE walking down the street and not just homeless panhandlers. I would think being a pretty young lady living in the downtown core I would be most concerned about strange men following me home or "hitting" on me on public transit, then I would say a panhandler. Heck I am getting older now (2 and I still get harassed by strange men on the street (99.9% of which are not homeless). In fact 2 weeks ago as I was walking my two dogs (both are border collies who weigh 70 lb and 80 lb respectively) at 2am I got followed by a strange man in a car. He kept on driving slow past me and going down one way streets so he could later see me again. After 15 mins of following me he pulled over and said "hey sunshine! BB come here" so I yelled "fuck off" and took a photo of his license plate then called police. I live in a high prostitution area so my guess is he was going to proposition me.

    Another time I was on the subway late at night coming home in an empty car. A man got on and sat a few stalls over and started to stare at me. After 2 stops he got up and sat right beside me and told me "You look beautiful tonight, what's your name?". I got up and moved towards the attendant's car. He followed me say "why don't you want to talk to me?". I got off at the next stop and got on the next car and the man followed me. He kept at it so I ran to the designated area and pushed the bar. A subway cop came and helped me. The cop stayed with me until my stop.

    These are just two of the incidents I have had living in a downtown area. I can sit here and tell you many more and I am sure other girls here can tell you the same. I have never had a homeless person harass me to the same extent a pervert (and presumably housed with a "normal job"). The worst a panhandler has done is maybe yell at me or call me a liar when I have told them I have no change. Nothing compared to the sexual harassment I have faced from perverts.



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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    I'm wary of homeless people as well. aperfectseal and I are in the same cluster of cities and everything she said is very accurate. I also tried to be nice and then got kinda jaded with it. I'm not going to waste my time buying someone a burger and having them bitch me out because they wanted money instead. I will toss them loose change if I have some but that's the extent of it.

    I will say that probably half of the homeless I encounter are unhinged or potentially dangerous. They're mostly in the few blocks designated to the college drinking district. I hung around with a couple panhandlers for a few days, and they actually warned me of which people were insane. One guy would do the "Can I use your phone" bit, then draw a knife on you and run off with the phone. I have been followed on foot and buses, and had a guy scream at me for not having any money for him. I don't think it's naive or selfish to be afraid of these people - I'm a skinny little girl and they could very easily hurt me. I carry a knife open and ready in the daytime and won't even go down there at night. We had a spree of student deaths within that mile radius from the campus a couple years ago (not homeless-caused, but still), so the whole area just freaks me out after dark.
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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    I live in Mexico city, largest city in the world, lots of homeless including sometimes little children.

    My advice is not to give them money. If they move your heart, how about buying them some soup? Or if you cook, you can make a little extra and hand it around, one person at the time. When I worked at a teahouse, we used to bring them out (not invite them in) a hot cuppa. Give out blankets and jackets that still have some good use. Hell I've even given them flowers, stickers for the children, cigarettes, whatever. Just not money.
    I know a bowl of soup or a couple of apples or flowers will not save them or even improve their day, but it's just my way of saying I see you, I can see you, I'm sorry that you're in this situation.

    Do not give out money, that will only jade you when you find that the children give it to their abusive parents, teenagers use it to buy glue, and alcoholics use it to buy thinner. Or they'll spot you and harass you for money... it's happened to me. For security, homeless generally IME are not dangerous in the sense that they want to rob you or assault you... you need to be wary though because some of them can be very aggressive, so I just give them a wide berth if they seem mean or angry. Once an old lady pushed me right into the traffic because I walked too close to her.

    those are my 2 cents. Mainly do not give money, try to help them with useful things instead.

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    Default Re: Im terrified of homless people.

    Quote Originally Posted by Optimist View Post
    All joking aside it it ironic to read threads on sharing what your favorite drugs are and on heavy alcohol use to cope with the job next to this thread judging the homeless harshly for the small % who do the same to get through their nights and days. Rather unexpected.
    Yeah that seems hypocritical when thought about. I generally avoid those threads about drinking and drugging while on the job because I never did (and am against it for many reasons)but yep, hypocritical for people to be against drugs for others but not them. That reminds me of those threads where dancers bash others for doing extras when in the next thread some will say they slept with a guy on the first date, etc. I guess to them it's okay if others do it.

    My problem with the pan handlers is the fact that so many aren't truly needy. I have seen every scam in downtown Chicago. One night I was coming out of WLS radio on State and Lake in Chicago and had some "mother" follow me to the train asking me for money to get on the train. I told her I would get her a ticket if I could see her get on the train and guess what? she "changed" her mind.

    I did see homeless guys sleeping on the cub and it was so heartbreaking. I don't know why they were doing this but I wanted to help them. I didn't give money (they were sleeping)but saw firsthand people sleeping outside. Luckily it was warm (May or June)but I shudder to think of winter, though there are homeless shelters not far from where they were. One is a big one that mostly takes in men who have drug problems so why weren't they there? who knows, maybe overcrowded or they liked sleeping outside.

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