panhandling in a good spot can earn you a couple hundred bucks a day

Durham has a ton of panhandlers.  Apparently as long as they wear a reflective vest (I'm assuming the city gives these to them, but I'm not sure), they can hang out at all the interstate exit ramps.  I saw one of them get picked up by their ride at the end of the day (in a nice BMW). And another day while at the red light I saw a nicely dressed woman walk up to one of the regulars— he handed her a BIG wad of bills and then she walked off— no idea what was going on with that.  But I also get really annoyed.  There is a rescue mission here that would give them a place to stay, feed them, and help them find work... AS LONG AS they don't drink or do drugs.  Too many strikes and you're out.  I know alcohol/drug addiction and mental illness (which I'm sure has a huge part in this) is another thing altogether, but you have to want to help yourself before I'm going to want to help you, ya know?  I had a box of pizza left over from a school event— I was taking it home. I decided to give it to one of the panhandlers at the interstate exit.  He took it, but he looked at me like he was pissed off about it.  Oh and one last thing— they leave a TON of trash out there.  I really get pissed at the city of Durham for not doing something about it.  If they're going to allow panhandlers all over the city, harassing people at every interstate exit, at least make them pick up their garbage. 

So I volunteered on Christmas day at a homeless dinner thingie.
I gotta say that at least 80% of the people there were mentally ill.   A high percentage of them were addicts but seriously, ALOT of these people are ill.   Doesnt make it any nicer to have them asking for $$, but. . . . .

I lived in San Antonio for 30 years and there seemd to be just as many (if not more) panhandlers in that city (with six military establishments) than here in the university town of Austin.   I think weather has as much to do with it as anything else (at least for the truly homeless).

I think it's any university town. They congregate in areas with naive/unworldly people who will fall for their BS.Notice they aren't trying that crap around say, Fort Bragg.

Durham has a ton of panhandlers.   Apparently as long as they wear a reflective vest (I'm assuming the city gives these to them, but I'm not sure), they can hang out at all the interstate exit ramps.   I saw one of them get picked up by their ride at the end of the day (in a nice BMW). And another day while at the red light I saw a nicely dressed woman walk up to one of the regulars— he handed her a BIG wad of bills and then she walked off— no idea what was going on with that.   But I also get really annoyed.   There is a rescue mission here that would give them a place to stay, feed them, and help them find work. . . AS LONG AS they don't drink or do drugs.   Too many strikes and you're out.   I know alcohol/drug addiction and mental illness (which I'm sure has a huge part in this) is another thing altogether, but you have to want to help yourself before I'm going to want to help you, ya know?   I had a box of pizza left over from a school event— I was taking it home. I decided to give it to one of the panhandlers at the interstate exit.   He took it, but he looked at me like he was pissed off about it.   Oh and one last thing— they leave a TON of trash out there.   I really get pissed at the city of Durham for not doing something about it.   If they're going to allow panhandlers all over the city, harassing people at every interstate exit, at least make them pick up their garbage.  

" hey buddy, can ya spare .75 cents? buddy? can ya help a guy with .75 cents? buddy?
I didn't see him. Didn't hear him. Those dudes are annoying.

I like that it is specifically 75 cents.  What an odd amount.  I've often wondered where they come up with the amount they want to ask for.

but the guy had a cell phone on his pocket!

but the guy had a cell phone on his pocket!

where i live, it takes .75c to do a load of laundry.  maybe he needed to do laundry.  did you ever think of that?  huh? didja?

" hey buddy, can ya spare .75 cents? buddy? can ya help a guy with .75 cents? buddy?
I didn't see him. Didn't hear him. Those dudes are annoying.

I don't think that would happen to you. From what I do know, they are making plenty of money, be it for beer or drugs or whatever. If you have that much energy to panhandle then you can get a job. I pray I won't end up there also.

I like that it is specifically 75 cents.  What an odd amount.  I've often wondered where they come up with the amount they want to ask for.

" hey buddy, can ya spare .75 cents? buddy? can ya help a guy with .75 cents? buddy?
I didn't see him. Didn't hear him. Those dudes are annoying.

Yep, they are annoying but with as little as I have, I am compelled to give. yea, I'm a dumbass. Most will likely buy drugs or booze... but I believe a lot of people are a paycheck away from homelessness. If I end up there, I hope another dumbass like me has that same compulsion to help.

Yep, they are annoying but with as little as I have, I am compelled to give. yea, I'm a dumbass. Most will likely buy drugs or booze... but I believe a lot of people are a paycheck away from homelessness. If I end up there, I hope another dumbass like me has that same compulsion to help.

" hey buddy, can ya spare .75 cents? buddy? can ya help a guy with .75 cents? buddy?
I didn't see him. Didn't hear him. Those dudes are annoying.