• AA5B@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    11
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    If I waste my money on a professional, I feel like I got ripped off. I may no longer trust the people truly in need or be less likely to help. I AM less likely. These people are a scourge.

    A professional panhandler is exactly what it sounds like - people who turn it into a “job”. They’re scam artists. My city’s newspapers have done profiles on a few over the years, and those “professionals” tend to be quite comfortable. Again, relatively few but tend to be high profile, more active at their “sales pitch”. If you see a homeless person NOT trying to panhandle, they are much more likely legitimately in need

      • AA5B@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Why would it be all day? A key spot at rush hour or lunch hits the crowd, and someone outgoing and personable will make that pay. I’d even say that if you do see someone all day they are much more likely to be legit. Maybe even if you see someone with “sales skills”, you need to be cautious

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldOP
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          I would be very surprised if you earned much more than a full time minimum wage job doing it for a few hours a day.

          • JoeBigelow@lemmy.ca
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            3
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            If in an hour they get 4 five dollar donations, that’s $20/hr. Think about how many cars you see stop to donate each light change. If you think it’s not lucrative you’re being disingenuous.

            Another way to look at it. That McDonald’s right there is hiring, and this guy stands outside panhandling all day. He’s already there, why not get a job at the McD’s? Market pressure, there’s more to be made with way less effort standing on the median making people feel bad.

      • RGB3x3@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        Panhandling needs to be made to be a waste of time for people. It’s dangerous, abusive, and an annoyance.

        ALTERNATIVELY, social programs need to be expanded greatly in order to actually help people so that panhandling isn’t even necessary in the first place.