Discussions

to carry job applications on us to hand it to them.  
 
I wouldn't trust anyone, never know if one has the intention to see your wallet then may grab it and run or push you on the ground and grab your wallet along with your purchase package then run.

I Once had a gentleman approach me with the same intention. I, however, have a reusable cart coin that attaches to my keychain. When I told him this, the guy didn't seem to like my response and followed me to my car. Scary! Be careful out there

One guy who wears $200 Timberland boots would keep approaching me back before they got security. He leaves when a man sais no but I watched him keep ask a women twice to take her cart back but he husband was alittle bit behind her and told the guy to Piss Off. He left.

I understand the frustration, but please don't judge someone based on what they wear. There are donation places and second hand stores. There are people who love paycheque to paycheque and all of a sudden find themselves in a bind when the paycheque stops.  
 
Yes, people being persistent about taking your loonie is frustrating. But it's only a loonie. Don't judge another person based on your own perceptions.

Stopped shopping at Superstore because of the harassment (3 consecutive weeks) except the guy waited until I had taken the cart back and pulled the loonie out didn't offer to take cart back. He was better dressed than me and sure it is just a loonie but I worked hard for it and could use it just as much as the "stalker". Was always in a rush but wish I had gone into the store to report him.  
 
Was at Canadian Tire a while back and there was someone asking for money there. A Canadian Tire employee asked the other lady if she had been harassed by this person and she said he had asked for money. He said that was the third time he had kicked the guy off the lot. Next time he threatened the harasser he would call the cops. He had offered to buy him a sandwich and the harasser refused. The harasser wreaked of booze, coincidentally the LCC across the street was calling him.

bubbles89 said "Today around 11am I had a man approach me offering to put my cart away if he could keep the loonie. I politely declined and he continued getting closer and insisting to the point of harassment. I was about to give in and let him do it just to get him away from me when a stranger intervened. The stranger exchanged words with the man and they both left before I had a chance to say thank you. So thank you!   Superstore has had this problem before and they are aware that it's happening again. Not much they can do unless it's reported to them so something to be aware of if you're there by yourself! "

he a middle age (or a bit older) white man by any chance?  
 
I always see this fellow checking the carts in the racks for loonies. Just wondering if it was the same guy.

I think this is why there are security guards hired to watch the parking lot.

Older caucasian male, grey hair, slim build. Was wearing a black hoodie and jeans this morning.

bubbles89 said "Older caucasian male, grey hair, slim build. Was wearing a black hoodie and jeans this morning. "

guy I was thinking of. He's there early in the morning checking carts for loonies. Also checks out the garbage can that is attached to the cart racks.  
 
I dont know, seems pretty harmless to me..... but I also would tell him to bugger off if I felt his behaviour was making me nervous. Each to their own.

I've been in a position where a loony is a lot of money...obviously I am not condoning any obscene behaviour on his part, but I understand the desperation in some of these people,as I too had that scary feeling of not knowing when I was going to eat again...sometimes we need to see it from other people's view..what lengths would you go to get your next meal? A loony can buy a lot of things (soup, beans, corn,bread), i have survived a month with 20$ in groceries. However I think some of these people push it too far, or are unaware of the resources available to them. I never knew of the Samaritan house when I was homeless, knowing would have made my life easier ...a lot easier... why don't we tell these people about the things out there that can help them? Free bread everyday is a good thing!! They may be acting out because of desperation, giving them a solution to their problem, whatever they may be, might be a bigger help than we think.. plus, donating to the Samaritan house, now that's its winter and extremely cold, is also important! The food hampers are not always going the lengths that are sometimes needed... God bless

That's not what our city needs. Yes I understand people's thoughts about this. But each one of those people asking you for a dollar was a baby once, a child, a little boy or girl. There is a story about why they are grown and in a Superstore parking lot asking for a dollar. Yes there re choices they are making as adults that are probably not positive but when we were appointed judge and jury.  
Intimidation is not okay...but neither is judgement. It takes much less energy to be kind and you would be surprised how far that will go.  
Help be a part of finding solutions for the marginalized people in our city. THAT is what Brandon is about and THAT is why I love my city!!  
Merry Christmas....be kind.....no matter what.

jgr said "That's not what our city needs. Yes I understand people's thoughts about this. But each one of those people asking you for a dollar was a baby once, a child, a little boy or girl. There is a story about why they are grown and in a Superstore parking lot asking for a dollar. Yes there re choices they are making as adults that are probably not positive but when we were appointed judge and jury.   Intimidation is not okay...but neither is judgement. It takes much less energy to be kind and you would be surprised how far that will go.   Help be a part of finding solutions for the marginalized people in our city. THAT is what Brandon is about and THAT is why I love my city!!   Merry Christmas....be kind.....no matter what. "

then that you go and pass out your extra loonies. I do not carry cash-I have one loonie in my wallet: it is for the Superstore cart, not for charity. I give to the charity of my choice, not to someone who harasses me in a parking lot. I make no judgment-just expect to be left alone when putting groceries in my vehicle.

If it was a kid asking to return the cart for the loonie I'd probably be willing as when I was younger back when the carts were only a quarter. My friends and I would hang out at stupid store on a weekend and do that. Was a great way for us to get a little money so we could get a treat and not have to beg parents for money. Don't see that much anymore. A lot of lazy kids now days. Same with kids mowing lawns and shovelling sidewalks. My friends and myself used to have pretty good days doing that stuff. Biggest problem nowadays is that so many people don't carry cash just cards (myself i:ncluded)

or any amount of money when you have a cigarette dangling from your mouth or beer on your breath.

I too was approached and out of fear, I just let him take it.  
 
Did not want a greyhound experience -  
 
They need security on site.

Johnbisonbear said "or any amount of money when you have a cigarette dangling from your mouth or beer on your breath. "

my thoughts on that!!!

Why not stop the pay cart system? Sure carts would end up off the lot but if they've hired extra security to watch for harassers, why not change up the position to cart retriever. What do other stores with no pay cart system do?  
 
To the bleeding hearts, it has nothing to do with judging others. I don't care about the back story of the beggar. We all have a story. The point is I have the right not to be harassed just because I'm out in public living my life! I shouldn't have to say no just one time, never mind be harassed about it. I don't take kindly to being made to feel threatened. If you feel so strongly, yes, go hand out money in the parking lots.

At the 10th street 7-11, while running in for a lotto. I was asked for money to buy a "hot dog" from a guy sitting on the wood pile, outside. I have my own code of conduct for handouts. It's usually the "I don't have anything for you" 99% of the time, but I do stop to address their requests/plea (like a real person). I don't just keep walking and talking over my shoulder, acting like I'm getting swept away by an invisible current or something. I hate having to say no, but I can't justify myself being an enabler to their situation. Great, he wants a greasy sev' dog, but 'Stupid Store' is two blocks away that can provide more sustenance over some three dollar hot dog. Right there is the negative for me. Plus, that fact it looked like he hadn't missed many meals (Large Native guy in his late thirty's - not the OP's "cart guy".) and wasn't too motivated in delivering his 'sales pitch' (other than mumbling that he could "really use a hot dog"). I feel that my loonies and toonies would only tie him over for an hour or two at best. I feel guilty enough wasting ten bucks on the Lotto max, but it's the only treat I give to myself every other week. I don't 'go out' or 'eat out', buy daily coffee, have a gym membership, buy recreational drinks ...Heck! I'm a cheap prick when it comes to getting "extra" things for my family and I. Dang it! Just let me buy the weekly fantasy so I can dream about it before the weekend. Is it too selfish of me to pay for a dream instead, then to curb a strangers appetite for a couple of hours? Especially when I wouldn't buy that junk for myself? Some are going to say/judge that God or karma should guide me or that I'm too selfish and ignorant during this 'time of giving'. But, simply handing out money blindly to someone is not helping them when it doesn't resolve for the reasons to their situation. We're just conditioning them to continue on with this repetitive cycle for relying on others. I believe we are doing more harm than good when we do this.  
 
...Even though I feel completely guilty when I follow through with these beliefs. (especially at Christmas)  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Avatar said "I too was approached and out of fear, I just let him take it.     Did not want a greyhound experience -     They need security on site. "

What's a greyhound experience?

I'm sure folks wont like this, but I'm ashamed to read some of these comments, unbelievable. I'm not any better than anyone, but if somebody asks for a smoke, I give them a few, if they willing to put a cart away in 30 below weather , please do. for a dollar!!! come on folks, its a buck, and yes, you felt harassed, I get it, but you didn't feel cold, hungry , depressed,or a million other things that person maybe felt. maybe they do make a gazillion dollars begging but I truly doubt it. yikes. if you don't want to, ok, but maybe , just maybe, we will be judged by our last act. hate to think I said no to someone who needed a dollar.

jennkenn999 said "I'm sure folks wont like this, but I'm ashamed to read some of these comments, unbelievable. I'm not any better than anyone, but if somebody asks for a smoke, I give them a few, if they willing to put a cart away in 30 below weather , please do. for a dollar!!! come on folks, its a buck, and yes, you felt harassed, I get it, but you didn't feel cold, hungry , depressed,or a million other things that person maybe felt. maybe they do make a gazillion dollars begging but I truly doubt it. yikes. if you don't want to, ok, but maybe , just maybe, we will be judged by our last act. hate to think I said no to someone who needed a dollar. "

If you can afford to give out a few smoke's - Kudo's to you. I for one cannot afford to do that.  
 
A dollar is a dollar. If everyone that asked gave the a dollar, they would make more than me in a day.  
 
They are annoying and harassing. I was parked at the back of the mall near the Sportcheck entrance. It was getting dark and some guy approached me, I said no. There was no one around and he kept following me. I even went past my car, so I would not be in a compromised position. Finally, I took my phone out and pretended to phone someone and he turned around. I was actually quite nervous, which is not at all like me.  
 
All I want to do is go shopping, get my stuff without being harassed. Instead of wasting all day in the parking lot, perhaps they could waste all day looking for a job!

Avatar said "I too was approached and out of fear, I just let him take it.     Did not want a greyhound experience -     They need security on site. "

kidding when you say that...right? That's a horrible thing to say. I'm sorry that you live your life this way, fearful that you are going to be randomly attacked in the Superstore parking lot over a loonie.  
 
Why does Superstore need security, more than they already have?  
 
What a disrespectful comment you made, comparing your experience to the Tim McClean's death. Wow. Just wow.

Its not often I shop at Superstore anymore, but a few years back when I was still on assistance, I was approached by a nicely dressed older man who asked me if he could put my groceries or cart away for me in exchange for my loonie. He didn't say much other than that. I remember being polite, but I just simply asked him what he needed a loonie for. He said he was trying to compile a few dollars so he could get something to eat. I offered to take him into the store or even over to the subway to get him something to eat once my groceries were put away and he started getting belligerent with me and calling me names.  
 
Needless to say I told him if he didn't want to accept my help for a meal, he didn't need my loonie that bad.

Walmart doesn't and Safeway stopped doing it, don't know if Sobeys's ever did.  
It's a pain anyway.

but try staying at the Canad Inn in Portage......

CatMan said "Walmart doesn't and Safeway stopped doing it, don't know if Sobeys's ever did.   It's a pain anyway. "

Putting a coin in the cart makes shoppers normally put them back in the corral to get their coin back.  
It's a pain, but if you shop there, you know what to expect when you shop there.  
 
Not putting a coin in is a treat, but then there can be left carts all over the parking lot, possibly dinging up cars, blowing in the wind and left all over the place.  
 
Most people return carts to the shelter. Then there are ignorant and lazy people who will never take the time or effort,  
 
If you go prepared, a cart does not cost anything.  
 
Be kind, people. Return your cart to th shelter. It only takes a moment

...and I'm not advocating for people to hand out money, in fact that's not something I do very often because it doesn't TRULY help in the big picture.  
My comment was merely to reflect on all the judgments people have the minute they lay their eyes on people....good or bad.  
All you speak of seeing in the parking lot is the surface, go a bit deeper....I'm not oblivious to the hypocrisy of asking for a dollar while smoking and wearing Timberlands. After working for over 14 years in this community, I have learned that change for marginalized people is hard. Who will HONESTLY help in those early days of change, because the early periods of change are often "unattractive"...would you hire and mentor him?...would you rent him an apartment....  
Just pause and spend the time trying to share some of the blessings you have, even if that blessing is just the courtesy, and humility that someone raised you with.  
I always believe Brandon has more goodness than sometimes shows up in these threads.

It takes one wrong choice in life to end up on the streets begging...feeling desperate. If you've ever been there you'll understand. If you haven't, don't judge.  
 
It can happen to anyone at anytime. What we fear most draws to us...good or bad.  
 
For me, I don't give money, but I will provide food. I've been known to go to Subway and get the guy begging at the Superstore parking lot something to eat.  
 
Sometimes your gesture of kindness can make all the difference. Whether you ever know it or not.

I've been approached by a nice old grey haired fella. He was polite and it is only just a buck. You never know what life has dealt some people. Most homeless or beggars don't want to be where they are. I wish people were more sympathetic instead of assuming they are criminal. It's Christmas..... be caring folks