I’ll be willing to help out if I hear anything other than a request for money, or if I see an obvious problem I can help with (like a cyclist with a flat tire when I have a patch kit in my pocket). I just categorically don’t allow “kindness to strangers” to translate to “giving money to strangers,” and as soon as money comes up I say I’m broke (which is not true, but not that far from it either), figuratively close my ears, and walk away.
I suppose it helps that most panhandlers in my area have signs. Most non-sign-carriers who approach me want directions or some such. Maybe I just look like a bad scam target though.
I’ll be willing to help out if I hear anything other than a request for money, or if I see an obvious problem I can help with (like a cyclist with a flat tire when I have a patch kit in my pocket). I just categorically don’t allow “kindness to strangers” to translate to “giving money to strangers,” and as soon as money comes up I say I’m broke (which is not true, but not that far from it either), figuratively close my ears, and walk away.
I suppose it helps that most panhandlers in my area have signs. Most non-sign-carriers who approach me want directions or some such. Maybe I just look like a bad scam target though.