This has become quite an interesting topic. Growing up in Flagstaff, AZ a city along I-40 we tend to have alot of travelers, homeless, and hitch hikers here. We also have the Navajo reservation which brings about alot of homeless drunks. Over the years I've met alot of panhandlers and done a little panhandling myself. I've also taken a few homeless kids into my home and let them stay for a few months. I've heard alot of stories. I've had some successes with getting people that lost everything to drugs back on their feet and sober. I've had some that didn't go so well. Do I regret taking in the ones that stole a bunch of my stuff and left? No, They needed the things I had more than I did. Besides, it's on their conscience not mine.<br /> From my experiences I can tell you that yes, there are career panhandlers that are lazy and don't want to get a job and make more than anyone will at the average job. I've seen people pull in 400 a day consistently everyday holding up cardboard signs on the freeway. I can also tell you I've had alot of friends that were down and out beyond belief. I myself had gone a few days without eating before the first time I held up a cardboard sign. I've had friends that did the same. <br /> Some of these people were down and out due to drug and alcohol addiction. Even though I think we all want to pass judgement and say well, they don't deserve the money, most of the people I knew in this situation were products of broken homes, bad family life, and alot of other societal problems. Is it their fault? To an extent but, I believe society as a whole isn't balanced and brings about some of these issues. I also believe we need to band together as a society and help every fellow man and woman so that as a whole we can move forward. Will your dollar go to drugs? maybe...but I've also seen many of the dollars donated to my drug addicted friends go to food, feeding pets, or once in a while passed on to even less fortunate kids. I've been out with groups of drug addicted panhandlers that were trying to raise a few bucks for a family they knew that couldn't get food for their kids.<br /> I guess what I'm saying is you never really know where or what the money is going for. But compassion, love, and trust sometimes has a greater benefit than you could ever imagine. I believe if everyone set aside their judgments the world would be a better place. <br /> Beyond that, I've also learned after some time on the street, food is really easy to come by once you learn how to get it. Dumpsters behind grocery stores, food banks, soup kitchens, asking people for leftovers they are carrying....food is everywhere. Sometimes your money goes towards buying someone a drink and a smoke who is having a really tough day, and lets face it, we've all needed a drink and a smoke a time or two in our lives. I can't blame someone else for wanting to de-stress a little.<br /> Now back to the original question I think was which methods work the best. I've found making cardboard sign and letting people either approach or ignore you on their own is the best. No one wants to hear a story, or be approached by a stranger asking for money. Although if you do ask for money directly usually odd questions work best. Such as: <br />I'll tell you a joke for a quarter....<br />(if you haven't shaved in a bit) Spare change for a razor?<br />(for women, ask guys) I need a few bucks to buy tampons...<br />Ask for things people don't normally beg for...<br />As far as signs go, the standard <br />"Hungry, anything helps" Seems to work well...but other fun signs to try...<br />"I bet you can't hit me with a quarter"(makes alot of money but people will actually chuck quarters kind of hard sometimes so be careful)<br />"Ran out of hay, horse won't work, please help"<br />For the holidays:<br />"Trick or change"<br />"Isn't thanksgiving about giving?"<br />"Santa doesn't bring presents if you don't have a home"<br /><br />So there you go...My complete run down of panhandling.
