Homeless people

supanerdstef · **Homeless people**

Ok I want to know honestly what you do when you see a homeless person. today we were at the drive through at Hardees, and I saw an older homeless man and my first response was to tell dh to lock the car... then I though what the heck, hes human right? why do so many people cringe at the thought of homeless people approaching them?He didnt by the way. he just sat at the front of the outside of the building. So as we were leaving, dh was pulling out of the driveway and I said, lets go back. We pulled our van up next to him and I asked him if he was hungry, of course he said yes and we gave him one of our 1/3lb burgers and a small fry (we normally get 1 or 2 extra for dh to take in his lunch the following days.) any who. I felt a million times better doing that. He wanted to talk but the kids were screaming for theyre happy meals and to get back home. But really it made me think, why do I always roll my window up or look the other way when i see a homeless person? would it hurt so much just to spare some change? or run into a gas station and get him a drink and a bag of chips? It wouldnt break the bank- but instead I turn my head. Im ashamed now for all the times Ive looked away.

This was very eye opening to me. I guess it might sound weird but it was very touching to see how much something so small meant to him.

Happymom · 12-25-2007, 05:03 PM

Hardee's is open on Christmas????

Anyway, I guess I live in the right place because I cannot honestly remember the last time I saw someone who was obviously homeless.

liamsmom · 12-25-2007, 05:58 PM

Homeless people is just a reality here, my whole life. If I gave to every single one of them, I would be broke. Plus, there are different types, people down on their luck, mental disabilities, junkies, street punks and families. The only folks I don't feel bad for are the junkies and street punks, especially the street punks, many of them have families to go home to (I know this from socializing with them when I was younger). The families really upset me.

Many times we'll have the "neighborhood" homeless guy, I always help him out, you see him all the time. I give when I can to the appropriate organizations, especially when children are involved.

I was raised with an awareness of poverty and am glad to say my children will be raised with the same. I don't fear homeless people. I have had very few negative encounters and the few times I have, I just removed myself quickly and it wasn't an issue. I am polite when they approach me on the street, just because they are homeless doesn't mean you have to be rude or fearful, they pick up on it and it hurts their feelings. Put youself in their shoes and how demeaning it is.

jen4 · 12-25-2007, 07:14 PM

I think the great thing is that you did help
him. You gave him some food when he
needed it. If we all just helped someone
sometimes, the world would be better.

melsb · 12-25-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamsmom

Homeless people is just a reality here, my whole life. If I gave to every single one of them, I would be broke. Plus, there are different types, people down on their luck, mental disabilities, junkies, street punks and families. The only folks I don't feel bad for are the junkies and street punks, especially the street punks, many of them have families to go home to (I know this from socializing with them when I was younger). The families really upset me.

Many times we'll have the "neighborhood" homeless guy, I always help him out, you see him all the time. I give when I can to the appropriate organizations, especially when children are involved.

I was raised with an awareness of poverty and am glad to say my children will be raised with the same. I don't fear homeless people. I have had very few negative encounters and the few times I have, I just removed myself quickly and it wasn't an issue. I am polite when they approach me on the street, just because they are homeless doesn't mean you have to be rude or fearful, they pick up on it and it hurts their feelings. Put youself in their shoes and how demeaning it is.

I agree here. I live in North Idaho and we don't have a homeless population -- too cold in the winter I'm sure. But I was in Santa Rosa, CA for awhile, with a huge homeless population, and it was a learning experience. A lot of mental disorders I learned. Most of them were fine and once they realized that we were "regulars" they stopped hitting us up for money all the time. There was one guy that did scare me and I ran into him on an empty street corner one time when I was by myself. He was a little scary and I avoided him! He shouted at me and I quickly crossed the street.

And I agree about the "street punks" as you called them. But even they weren't too bad once I got use to being there. I did lecture a couple that hit me up twice in the same hour one time! But they were pretty harmless and just chuckled at their mistake!

supanerdstef · 12-25-2007, 08:19 PM

Yes Hardees was open lol.. and it was the ONLY thing open lol!
My city is rather large and we have a pretty large homeless population. I agree, there are the junkies, which you can generally tell who they are, and the kids who are the puns your refering to. those both make me since. I believe this guy was truely in need of help, he was extremely polite and very friendly. I agree though if i were to help them all Id be broke. But I guess in general I have a diffrent outlook if I cant give any physical item, I can atleast smile and not cringe you know? I never really thought on that level about the homeless until today. But im glad i did realize it... so i can atleast be nicer in the future.

Kim · 12-25-2007, 08:40 PM

We don't see too many homeless here in MN. I've definitely noticed them more in other parts of the country - San Diego, Baltimore, etc. I feel sorry for them and wonder what their story is. I think in most cases, I assume there is probably some type of underlying mental illness, not just poverty. But then again, did you see The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith? It was based on a true story - and makes me wonder if some of them are simply down on their luck. You just never know.

stxmom · 12-25-2007, 10:10 PM

I live in South Texas and this time of the year when a lot of the country is cold and we are still reasonably warm our area is flooded with homeless people. We are used to seeing homeless people. There is a guy who is always at the corner right before the turn in to Wal-Mart. DH always gives him a bottle of water, has for the last 2 yrs., the mans first name is Clyde. He always smiles when he sees DH's pickup. DH offers him food but he always says he eats at the shelter.

taylyn · 12-25-2007, 10:30 PM

I Don't See to many Homeless People around here, And when I do I don't fear them at all ,

I kind of view homeless people as not really wanting any help , Otherwise why would they be homeless?? I just wonder WHY there isen't anyone they could go to , No family ? No church ? No long ago Neighbors?? Noone??

I think Alot of Homeless people choose their ways.

I am NOT saying all - but I think Alot of them do.

goin24/7 · 12-25-2007, 11:15 PM

I want to thank you for what you did - my father decided 10 yrs ago to sell his trailer and live in the camper of his truck, he also cut off all communication from me. He gets a small SSI check and could not afford to keep his home. I know he forages in dumpsters and offers to do any odd jobs he can but at his age I doubt he can do much now. I think he is suffering either from alzheimers now or mental illness, I tried to contact him a few months ago but my letters were returned. My heart aches when I see an old homeless person, I wonder how my dad is and pray that someone will do something nice like you did and get him something to eat.
Thank you again