How can I tell if the homeless man on the corner is really homeless or just doing his job?

I have found myself wondering this very question. Many people try to guess or assume someone is homeless based on there appearance, terrible idea. It is very easy to look homeless and some people just do it on accident.

Here is a story that lead me to my own way of figuring out who is really in need. There is a man in grand rapids named Henry. Henry collects bottles (we have 10cent deposit) so he can haul in quite a bit of money in one day.

He sets up houses that frequently have parties then asks if it is ok to clean up the bottles for them, so on Saturday and Sunday morning he has strategic plans on what houses and deposit stores to go to. Henry only has one competitor and for a long time he blew his competition, Chris, out of the water. Chris was incoherent a lot of the time, not friendly and would ask for other things besides the bottles.

Cigarettes, change, FULL beer cans, or things like that. So I would reserve my cans for Henry for I thought him to be the more honest bum. WRONG.

One day I asked henry how much money he made and he didn't give me a straight answer. Then I asked him if he used his money to try to find a place to stay or maybe find a place with more jobs. He laughed and said quote "boy why you think i'm homeless?

Who tole you that? " Then it dawned on me that he had not told me this and I was probably being quite rude. Then I thought of the time I saw Chris sleeping on the sidewalk.

Then I watched as he took the bottles I reserved for him and started to feel like a fool. He told me that his wife had an office job and he used this money for beer, also that it was something for him to do while the Mrs. was at work. While Chris was a bona fide homeless man.

Now I just take back my own bottles. I hate to say it but this experience has taught me one thing. Only give out change to homeless people who you KNOW are homeless through personal chats.

This is probably gonna eliminate a lot of people who really could use the help, but its the only way I can feel sure that I am not the victim of some hustler. They don't have to tell you there whole life story but I have to have some kind of proof that you are not just panhandling for fun. Questioning is my little trick, ask a couple questions, most people will be friendly enough to answer them.

Also stay away from aggressive panhandlers or ones that ask for high amounts of money, they are most likely not actually homeless, just skeezy. Where I live this is a lot easier, I am sure you don't recognize a lot of the same homeless people like I do. I would say I have about 15 people I will give change too because they have told me something about themselves that I felt to be true.

Each of these people only took about 30 seconds to convince me, so really if that person needs the change enough they will be willing to work with you. So it dosen't matter how big or small of a city you live in, you can start reserving your change for your homeless friends who have earned your trust. Just ask them basic questions about where they are coming from or what they are saving up to get.

If they get pushy and think your being rude, there loss. A truly desperate man will answer questions for change. Hell, I do it all day on mahalo and I am well off compared to most pan handlers.

Even if you can tell that someone is a homeless person, why are they homeless, poverty, lifestyle choice, insanity, drug issues . . .

A combination? I think it boils down to this give food, give blankets, do not give money. I only give money in this situation, if a person is playing music, telling jokes & stories, or is entertaining in some other way.In that case I do not view it as paying a beggar I view it as paying a street performer and I don't mind if said performer makes more than me.

I don't have a great deal of experience being around homeless people. However, from my limited experience with homeless people these are some ways to decide. Simply ask him if he is hungry.

When he says yes ask what he wants to eat. If he says a steak dinner run, if he says anything that isn't too much trouble, then he is really hungry. I think some homeless people are less likely to beg for money because they have probably spent enough time on the street to learn the ropes.

Of course ones with addictions will, to get some blow or wine. Another thing I have noticed with actual homeless people is that after so long, their beards start to matte together. The finger nails usually have dirt in or around them.

You can probably tell by the amount of grime on their teeth. Do they have dirt buried in the pores of their skin on their face? I know some people here in Kentucky that do not have plumping.

Their faces have dirt in the pores, their hair is greasy and their finger nails are dirty. I am sure some homeless people have access to bathrooms for washing but its not likely with many. Long story short, if you want to help, offer food or clean water.

If they act ungrateful, well they were probably wanting money for something they shouldn't be buying.

If one gives to help another human person who can never repay, that is the essence of selflessness - a truly random act of human kindness. In Judaism, it is called a Mitzva. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "they gave of their own accord" (II Cor.8:3).

The Buddhists call it "Sappurisa-dana" In Islam, it is one of the 5 pillars and is called the Zakah , which means purity because it purifies the givers heart from self. In all these faith traditions, the concentration is on the givers intent and not the receivers' worthiness. If the receiver accepts the gift as part of a deception, it is their concern.

Now, saying that there are real concerns about giving cash to a street person. One does not went to give to support an addiction. This injuries the person and those around them.

/nor does one want to open up a wallet in an area where one is vulnerable to being mugged. One need of those on the street is food. Some people buy gift certificates for fast food restaurants and hand these out to those who ask for assistance.

That gives the homeless person access to a warm or cooled place, a clean restroom, and some nourishment. And if the vouchers are met with a complaint, then the person may have an ulterior motive. But you have done an act of kindness.

This might sound a littl crude but by smell. Living in NY I have come across many homeless and many scammers. The homeless always smell from not bathing where the guy just doing it for money goes home every night and takes a shower.

They may be homeless due to personal life choices. My former husband for example, had a comfortable home, rent free at his sister's house. When she suggested he not drink so much, he left in a huff and went to live in a trailer at the dump.(I used to kid him by saying, "You sure showed her!") He would be the first to admit life at the dump was hard.

He supported himself by turning in bottles and sometimes doing odd jobs. He complained about the inhumanity of other people. Yet he was the one who chose to be an alcoholic and a junkie!

I am sure his sister was attempting to tough love him, as I was forced to do as well eventually. So even when you talk to these people, beware, junkies can be pretty manipulative. One thing they DO NOT like, is anyone "judging their lifestyle.

" It's so much easier (for them) if you just hand over the cash and shut up. My best answer to this is how I live my own life: instead of giving to random organizations or tossing a few bucks to a bum, I pick a real person I can really help. For example, I had a friend who got pregnant unexpectedly and I let her stay with me rent free for a couple months until she saved up enough to get the things she needed for the baby and her own place.

What I did helped her more concretely than giving her a few dollars would have. Another alternative is to tutor a child for free. Walk an elderly person's dog.

I cleaned my neighbors house at the end of her life when she was too weak to do it. Doing a one on one charitable act is more powerful than giving strangers coins.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.