... and he/she asked you for money, would you give them some? I usually do, but wind up feeling like a damned fool.

If they tell me its for food, I will usually offer to buy them a burger or something. Most won't accept it.

Yes, and whatever they do with the money is up to them and of no concern to me. It's not my place to judge people.

Yup, that's exactly how I've always looked at it, too.

Me, too.

Or should I say, "Me, three."

I've handed out spare change on occasion, but if I'm close to a drive-thru, I'll order them a meal instead.

I had a couple bums approach me and they told me upfront and honestly, that they needed some money for a drink. I appreciated their honesty, and me being kind of a drunk myself, gave them some change.

It's the ones that try to sound all innocent, and make them feel sorry for them, that I usually ignore. Most of them are scam artists. Some of them even work in shifts, like it's a buisness.

After seeing the 20/20 or Dateline report on how some panhandlers live in nice homes and drive nicer cars than I do...some make $50k per year...they just do it because it is easy money...I quit handing my hard earned money out.

Yes I usually do. Folks are not homeless because they want to be.

i dont give them s h i t, if they want money they can go look for a job. i have to work for my money, so they should to. f u c k that handout bs.

You should see them standing on every street intersection in Houston!!! It's like some sort of job they have!!

I'll bet they have a nicer vehicle than I do!!!

I let three homeless guys stay at my house twice while my wife and kids were on vacation. I took them to Tampa Bay Rays baseball games and the eldest one of the pack taught me a bunch of his grandma's TN recipes that I still use today. They now have a house and I've been over to hang out a few times but I don't drink anymore so it's hard to be around long.

True story ... and the greatest feeling in the world. People can change if you give them a break. It's not about the $1 that you give them. It's about the hope. Say something encouraging when you drop your change. I usually say something like, "Hey, we could easily be in different spots. Good luck to you dude. Your big break may come later today."

LIVE AND LET LIVE.

Oddly, this is true in many cases!!! There were a BUNCH in Dallas, and I almost always gave, but I found they always met after "work" at a bank parking lot and they'd do their divvying up and chat about the ones they had "taken". They dressed like scrappy bums on purpose. It's so hard as it makes it worse for the ones who sincerely need the help.

There was one lady I kept running into and I'll bet she got about $25 out of me over time, but she NEVER wanted to get clean, then I saw her inside of a Target buying junk food, and she STILL tried to tap me. I finally just said "no".

I know someone who didn't vote for Obama

Did Dateline happen to mention that the scammers are the minority?

Did they talk about homeless families?

Did you know that many of the homeless are mentally ill?

Did you know that we have a very high unemployment rate right now and families are losing their homes?

I don't give them money but I will take them to the closest diner and buy them a meal. Ihave even given them clothing and blankets when Ihave extras

Have done it on more then one time and most likely will do it again.

And it don't always have to be money you give them go buy them a deli sandwich and a drink or give then a warm coat or blanket.

This time of year we should all check to see if we have old coats or blankets that we don't use anymore and take them down to the shelters or give them to someone you see on the street. Just a small act of kindness goes a long way.

No. I'll buy him some food, but not give him money.