Discussions

Yesterday, a man with long hair, big build, tryed to approach me for money directly. I went into the building, before he tryed to get too close. I had people approach me to my car asking for money. It's getting to be problem.  
 
I get really angry, I work hard, people making a good living out of this!  
 
Edited by String, 2015-06-06 08:51:44

Just say sorry no. I have a rule I will buy them a meal but will not give them cash.

Had this happen recently when leaving montanas. The guy followed me all the way to my car, despite me politely saying no. It was just me and my 2 young kids, scary to say the least. I try to be safe, did not like him following me to my car, a bit too aggressive for me. You never know what could happen.

The pan handlers have been around for ever most that Ive seen around Brandon have definite issues and wouldn't likely be able to hold a real job.Of course there are people who are going to abuse it people abuse everything, I wouldn't call spending the day begging easy money, you will have to deal with a lot of rejection and verbal abuse, Ive seen some people really lay into pan handlers.  
But as long as the pan handlers keep their distance and don't come off as too threatening not much can be done about it.  
Just yesterday there was a guy working the Super Store parking lot offering to return carts I said what the heck hes at least offering to do something for his loonie

Wonder if Brandon has a law against aggressive panhandling? When I'd encounter this in winnipeg it would give me violent thoughts myself, so its not good all around.  
 
However panhandlers who mind their own business and wash windshields, play music, take shopping carts back are just good chaps trying to make a living the best they can.

now a days not many people carry cash so just tell him that, i have no cash, then they are likely to leave you alone as there is no point harassing you

Most of those who panhandle in Brandon are suffering some sort of disability and are truly desperate souls. Just say you have no cash and walk away if you're not wanting to give. This isn't a big city where people can make a living of panhandling. If you truly feel threatened or annoyed, you should complain to the business where it's happening. Most businesses don't want their customers feeling harassed coming or going an will take appropriate action. In most cases though, these people are harmless an a simple no will do the trick.

My answer to them is simple;  
 
"No".  
 
There are assistence programs in place. There are jobs available for those unemployed. I agree with you. Its starting to become problematic

I remember 2 specific times, one we were walking through the Walmart parking lot and we got approached, we honestly didn't have any cash, but we had left over McDonald's that we hadn't eaten and offered that, they happily took it. The second time we got approached for smokes, the guy watched my boyfriend and I both get out of the vehicle I had a smoke and my boyfriend went inside (this was late at night). The guy waited for my boyfriend to come back out of the store, and then asked us if he could have a smoke. My boyfriend was amazed that he didn't approach me while I was alone, so he gave him half a pack haha! I've never been approached rudely by anyone in Brandon, they've always been appreciative of whatever i've give them from money to smokes to food, I've never once felt "threatened" by any of these people, sometimes it's annoying but they've always left if I said I didn't have anything for them.

Sometimes i Feel sorry for some of them. But i will only give to the same person once and never money. If they are hungry i will buy them something to eat. I try to help everyone at least once because i myself have been homeless and hungry. Its a hard road and to get a reliable job while homeless is almost impossible because you have no home. No shower no phone ect. Rent here is almost impossible on assistance as a single person as they only give you 285 for rent. If the rent is a lot higher they wont help you until you find something cheaper. That being said though it can be done because i have done it. There is one guy i always see by the superstore gas bar who always asks for a smoke or some change. I gave him a smoke once but that was it. I hardly can afford my own habbit never mind everyone elses. No need to be rude though i simply say no and go on my way. Really its just the ones who ask for smokes and money that bother me. Food is different. I cant look the other way if someone is hungry. Even if i only have a few dollars i would still feed them. The struggle is real every day for them and i feel sorry that i cant help more. So i definatly get where everyone is coming from.

I typically have just said no in the past as I really don't carry much for cash on me. I've never really had a problem with panhandlers. Actually, Brandon has very few of them so you should be grateful for that. The further south you go in the States there seems to be almost one per block.

Make a point in giving money, whatever i can spare.. If the individual is clearly trying (the man who plays the drum) and sometimes just when they ask.. I have a small daughter, and I want her to grow up being a kind and giving soul..to each their own though

These p are not as annoying as the ppl who come directly to your door and ask you to donate money to some other ppl in a different country. Makes no sense why ppl donate to those ppl yet get pissy to help a homeless person right in front of their face!!  

I give, depending on the situation. I don't live in the best area, so a lot of times when I get approached they're drunk and asking for a smoke. I normally say no. I have given to the man who plays drums on few occasions. I'm pretty small, and I do not like being approached when I'm with my toddler, (especially if drunk) I will immediately turn them down.

That hang out in front of my bank are particularily infuriating.

foxtrot11 said "That hang out in front of my bank are particularily infuriating. "

It is illegal to panhandle in front of a bank.

I usually just ask if they take debit.

JustConcerned said "These p are not as annoying as the ppl who come directly to your door and ask you to donate money to some other ppl in a different country. Makes no sense why ppl donate to those ppl yet get pissy to help a homeless person right in front of their face!!   "

I kind of agree with this, especially as we know there are no "administration costs" associated with giving to homeless people.  
I'm a sucker for anyone with a dog, will always give to them. There was a guy playing guitar by Walmart with a dog, gave him a bag of dog treats I had just bought and he was very polite and appreciative.  
As long as they are not aggressive, I have no problem with them. Give only if you want to.

Same thing happened to my friend and i the other day. Walking down 18th street in the afternoon and we saw him leave the keyrock and followed us for a couple blocks before he asked us for money. Ridiculous and incredibly intrusive.

Panhandler with a sign that said "need money for food" approach my car on my way to work, rolled down the window and offered the guy my packed lunch and he refused it. I offer food or a hot coffee, they dont want it I am polite and say sorry no cash.

We have a disabled man who lives I'm an assisted living home in the neighborhood who asked people walking by for money whIle he stands on the street just outside the building he lives in. The worst is watching him approach kids from the elementary/middle school down the street. Not good at all.

I don't get bothered by people who ask for money, but the people who walk past you on the street and then turn around to ask you for a cigarette angers me more.

program for this...well how about GET A JOB. Why us pay for them? You cannot tell me these people aren't capable to work. They can walk distance look for money from people or stealing which i'm they do. They may not be able get a job as a manager, engineer, police, doctor but these a job, something everyone can do...dishes, cut grass, you can walk and stand then you can work somewhere. If your mind is screwed up then go for thereapy to unclutter it. Staying in their condition only worsen their mind and think low themselves.  
Some people did and do work really hard and probably fought for their job to have money then having pan handlers ask FREE money makes you mad.

Your post is full of unbelievable ignorance and such a lack of understanding about mental health it's disturbing. You think because someone can walk, they must be able to work? And that if someone has mental health issues they should just "uncluttered their mind", and it's that easy? Most of the people who have approached me in this city are most definitely not employable. They usually have no money, no home, no place to shower, no change of clothes, are are socially awkward. If you think these people are perfectly capable of working and joining society, why not offer to drive them around looking for work? Shouldn't take too long to find them a job, according to you.

It's really easy to say they can work, technically they probably could. But they don't have an address, you need an address to have a job, they don't have phones, so how are they going to be contacted? They all look a little rough around the edges, who's going to hire them and wait until they get back on there feet to buy nicer clothes or be able to look "professional"? When these people don't always have access to a shower, how would they get a job doing dishes in a kitchen? That's not hygienic. Or even working with the public, I'm sorry but if someone hasn't showered in days I don't want to be in close proximity to them. It's a vicious cycle, no one wants a "homeless looking" person working in there establishment when there's someone who is clean, professional, and skilled screaming for a job. Now if you think that there life is so easy, because they get "free" money, maybe you should step back and see how these people live, I wouldn't do it for a few dollars in free money.

Opinionated said "Your post is full of unbelievable ignorance and such a lack of understanding about mental health it's disturbing. You think because someone can walk, they must be able to work? And that if someone has mental health issues they should just "uncluttered their mind", and it's that easy? Most of the people who have approached me in this city are most definitely not employable. They usually have no money, no home, no place to shower, no change of clothes, are are socially awkward. If you think these people are perfectly capable of working and joining society, why not offer to drive them around looking for work? Shouldn't take too long to find them a job, according to you. "

I'm sure many are incapable of holding down a regular job, but there are places in Brandon that employ people with mental & physical disabilities. My nephew panhandled in Winnipeg for years. He still laughs about it, how he had a filthy "work" outfit he would put on and hit Portage & Main. Easy money he said, no taxes. Some days were crappy and some days he'd walk away with $300.00 and up. So I think people shouldn't label panhandlers as all being disadvantaged. Some are just lazy parasites.

Yes, your nephew does sound like a lazy parasite, but this isn't Winnipeg, and most the ones I've encountered in Brandon are not employable enough to make a living. Having lived here for almost 40 years, I recognize many and know some of their situations. Most aren't scam artists like your family member, most are just lost souls and/or those with mental health issues.

and, in turn, they politely say "have a good day"

Daphne said "    Opinionated said "Your post is full of unbelievable ignorance and such a lack of understanding about mental health it's disturbing. You think because someone can walk, they must be able to work? And that if someone has mental health issues they should just "uncluttered their mind", and it's that easy? Most of the people who have approached me in this city are most definitely not employable. They usually have no money, no home, no place to shower, no change of clothes, are are socially awkward. If you think these people are perfectly capable of working and joining society, why not offer to drive them around looking for work? Shouldn't take too long to find them a job, according to you. " I'm sure many are incapable of holding down a regular job, but there are places in Brandon that employ people with mental & physical disabilities. My nephew panhandled in Winnipeg for years. He still laughs about it, how he had a filthy "work" outfit he would put on and hit Portage & Main. Easy money he said, no taxes. Some days were crappy and some days he'd walk away with $300.00 and up. So I think people shouldn't label panhandlers as all being disadvantaged. Some are just lazy parasites. "

They said most not all panhandlers and way to throw a relative under the bus,in my personal opinion pan handling is not the normal behavior of a healthy minded person you would need some kind of behavioral problem to justify why they would think it was OK to to acquire money through fraud by posing as a homeless or unemployed person.

Opinionated said "Your post is full of unbelievable ignorance and such a lack of understanding about mental health it's disturbing. You think because someone can walk, they must be able to work? And that if someone has mental health issues they should just "uncluttered their mind", and it's that easy? Most of the people who have approached me in this city are most definitely not employable. They usually have no money, no home, no place to shower, no change of clothes, are are socially awkward. If you think these people are perfectly capable of working and joining society, why not offer to drive them around looking for work? Shouldn't take too long to find them a job, according to you. "

are opinionated alright. Everyone is allowed to have their opinion so KEEP YOUR WORD IGNORANCE for yourself. You do not know me.