MetaFilter posts tagged with Panhandling

Excuse me sir, might I have some poridge?

hadjiboy — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 20:07:22 -0800

The Accidental Panhandler

caddis — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 20:50:33 -0800

The Accidental Panhandler I found a great corduroy blazer in a thrift shop and I loved it. I was out handing out flyers to drunk college boys that night in my lovely new coat and several of them each handed me a dollar. When a fifth person offered me a buck I asked why people were giving me money. "Aren't you out here asking for money?" "No. I'm here promoting for a film festival." "Oh! Well that can't pay much." "Dude, they rent me an apartment, a car, fly me all over the country and I make money o'plenty." This guy who'd intended to be generous then turned angry. "Yeah! Then why the hell are you wearing that stupid coat!" He left his dollar and moved on. I was handed three more dollar bills that day and did not protest. Wanting to be true to the lifestyle I'd found myself in, I spent the money on fortified wine. How much do panhandlers really make? Can you possibly make a living at this? How much of a difference does a funny sign make? Will people give to a guy in a banana suit? Does every sign have to say "God Bless?" Important questions. I aim to find the answers. Give me a dollar. God Bless. Panhandling Worldwide

The Beggar Removal Hotline

gwong — Sun, 16 Feb 2003 08:43:32 -0800

Vietnam employs the Beggar Removal Hotline. To promote a more healthy tourist experience, Denang is employing a reward system for citizens who report vagrants and beggars.

Once they have been reported to the special telephone hotline, the people are taken to the centre where they have health checks and are classified according to need...healthy people are sent back to their home provinces, while those who have physical or mental illnesses are treated at the city's expense.

I feel strange saying this but I think the U.S. should adopt this system. I love beggars as much as the next guy, but cleaning up the streets and helping out the beggars...it's a win/win situation.

Happydaz — Tue, 15 Oct 2002 11:23:49 -0800

Beer + Bums = Free Housing. Being a bum isn't easy. You have to panhandle lots of money, go Dumpster diving for treasure and hit up the friendly neighborhood liquor store a few times a day. Luckily, Seattle is finally recognizing how tough it is to bum for booze. Fat Tire with that free apartment, anyone? (Via The Raven)

kristin — Tue, 09 Jul 2002 05:11:08 -0800

"I've done my part, now I need you to do yours. I believe that this world is a good place, and if someone needs help, then they should ask for it. SO I'M ASKING... Please help me pay my debt. "

Karyn's done her part, people, by racking up $20 000 in credit card debt, buying Prada, and fancy coffee, and designer clothing. Isn't it time you did yours, by paying that debt off for her?
(link from Erika, via 3WA.)

precipice — Tue, 08 Jan 2002 00:51:55 -0800

S.F. to fight homelessness by....illegalizing panhandling? Yeah, brilliant. First, let's shut down the state's mental institutions and leave mentally ill people to fend for themselves. Then let's tell the cops to make sure they're out of sight by pushing them from one neighborhood of the city to another. Next, let's confiscate the possessions they keep in shopping carts. Finally, since even the Mayor's office says homelessness in the city was up 36% last year, let's criminalize the homeless that ask for help. Yup, that will take care of them!

Let's hear it for representative democracy and its incredible compassion for the disenfranchised.

Harry Hopkins' Hat — Tue, 23 Oct 2001 08:16:48 -0800

The Virginia-based Jesus has a new career. He's amazing. If I had a sister, I'd want her to marry Jesus. In the email from Him that accompanied the link, He wrote that He earned 4 dollars for 5 minutes' work.

moz — Sat, 23 Jun 2001 09:17:06 -0800

The Foundation for Internet Begging or FIB has had a website in operation since August of 2000, and as always, they need your help to keep going. You can join them in their noble, tried-and-true efforts; learn more about the people behind the effort and their mission as it stands; and, of course, give generously.