Cyprus-Forum.com

[CrookedRiverGuy]

I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless man who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner.

I took out my wallet, extracted ten dollars and asked,"If I give you this money, will you buy some beer with it instead of dinner?"

"No, I had to stop drinking years ago," the homeless man replied.

"Will you use it to go fishing instead of buying food?" I asked.

"No, I don't waste time fishing," the homeless man said.."I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive."

"Will you spend this on hunting equipment?" I asked.

"Are you NUTS!" replied the homeless man. "I haven't gone hunting in 20 years!"

"Well," I said, "I'm not going to give you money. Instead, I'm going to take you home for a shower and a terrific dinner cooked by my wife."

The homeless man was astounded. "Won't your wife be furious with you for doing that?

I replied, "Don't worry about that. It's important for her to see what a man looks like after he has given up drinking, fishing and hunting."

[miltiades]

I Will keep on drinking and fishing then

[Londonrake]

I spent an evening in the gaslight area of San Diego a few years back. Came across this big black guy begging on a street corner. He had a signboard which read “I won’t lie to you. I want the cash $ for women and booze.” He seemed to be doing quite well.

[Kikapu]

Panhandlers do add some humour on their signboards.

Overall it is very depressing seeing people in cities, off ramps and traffic lights with such signs.

To give money or not to give money is a double edge sword. On the one hand is an encouragement for them to continue as they are, on the other hand, they need to survive.

Shame on the government for not helping these people in need of a home, food, healthcare and jobs. If one doesn’t have a home and are living on the streets, how can one get a job, be healthy and not hungry?

[repulsewarrior]

...there is almost always money, spare change at the bottom of my cup holder in my car;
and i do not hesitate to give it, to those like me, who have good intentions.
Poverty is a state of mind, those who resent me for this charity, in my mind are poor indeed.
cheers!