# Dear Homeless Person: Show respect when I give you spare change! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 21, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841 "2010-10-21T00:29:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/261 "2010-10-28T05:26:45Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > The OP _eventually_ said the guy asked for change, and probably only because, as **Guinastasia** said, he was getting hammered. It seems to me, as put off as the OP was, he would have conveyed this critical fact in the OP. Something like “The guy asked me for change; I gave it to him and he kicked it away because it wasn’t enough!!! WTF!?” That would have changed the entire discussion. Perhaps you are capable of remembering every detail for the OP but most folk aren’t. Besides, he identified the guy as homeless and (I think, I’m not going to go look) a tweaker in the OP, so it shouldn’t be surprising that he asked for change. > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I swallowed a nickel when I was 6. That means I’m \*partially \*made of money. > > And beer. No, you only rent beer… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/262 "2010-12-03T21:01:33Z")
It would have been nice - since you were going back- to bring the guy a burger. Asking a hungry person for directions to a restaurant, then taunting them with the gift of a quarter is just mean. “Thanks” ::burp:: “here’s a quarter” ::tosses said quarter:: “If you’re nice and keep at it, maybe in a week or so, you can buy a burger too.” ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/263 "2010-12-03T21:22:01Z")
Gah! Zombie transient person! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/264 "2010-12-03T21:39:04Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Gah! Zombie transient person! It’s not that old. It hasn’t even started to rot yet. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/265 "2010-12-03T21:41:07Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > It’s not that old. It hasn’t even started to rot yet. Stinks, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cammacdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Cammacdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cammacdon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/266 "2010-12-05T08:19:13Z")
Hey fuzzypickles, if you think someone who has to eat out of a garbage can and sleep on the sidewalk should kiss your ass for giving them a little change that you would probably lose under a couch cushion anyway. Maybe you should just give up on the whole being charitable thing. You obviously miss the point. I wont judge you for not giving them change but i will call you out on the idea that you deserve special recognition. And yes, all homeless people begging for change are junkies looking to score drugs… And all hispanics are hookers and thieves, all blacks are crack dealing murderers, and the Jews control the media. Bigotry of one stripe is as good as another and you have it in spades. Your ignorance does you no credit. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/267 "2010-12-17T23:43:07Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Wow, you people don’t have _any_ experience with street bums, do you? Particularly those who are there because of their own fault? I rather ignore people with whom I don’t want any interaction. Should I elect otherwise, I wouldn’t have the naive high hopes of the OP of fawning gratitude. > [@fuzzypickles](#): > > Frankly, it doesn’t matter if I threw it, bounced it, or wiped my ass with it first. **Exactly so**. And to emphasize the point, next time you pay into a bank — these people are your _servants_ for godsake, and must be grateful for your custom — perform this ritual in front of them to show who’s boss. > [@fuzzypickles](#): > > You are exactly right – for me, giving away a quarter cost me nothing, relatively speaking. Oh, I dunno, it got you this thread… > [@fuzzypickles](#): > > …have you _ever_ dealt with drug-addicted, mentally ill people in your life, ever? Let alone on a daily basis? Only on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/268 "2010-12-17T23:59:32Z")
> [@Cammacdon](#): > > And yes, all homeless people begging for change are junkies looking to score drugs.. And all hispanics are hookers and thieves, all blacks are crack dealing murderers, and the Jews control the media. Yes, but what’s your point? ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/269 "2010-12-18T01:21:44Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > I rather ignore people with whom I don’t want any interaction. Should I elect otherwise, I wouldn’t have the naive high hopes of the OP of fawning gratitude. Months later and all you prove is you can’t comprehend what you read. Or you like to exaggerate for effect. Either one, boring. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/270 "2010-12-18T01:55:22Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > It’s not that old. It hasn’t even started to rot yet. This thread was rotten from the moment it started. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/271 "2010-12-18T03:09:10Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > This thread was rotten from the moment it started. And the homeless guy should have been very grateful, regardless of how bad it smelled. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_D\_Adamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@John\_D\_Adamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_D_Adamo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/272 "2010-12-18T09:48:15Z")
Oh, this thread again. You know, to this day I still wonder whether \*\*fuzzypickles \*\*was trolling here or not. I’ve met people with his exact attitude, yet at the same time, well, damn. ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Handsome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Gus\_Handsome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Handsome)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/273 "2010-12-18T10:38:38Z")
> [@villa](#): > > I was bartending, and I had a table of two cab drivers, men who work for tips too. I gave them great service, comp-ed them a couple of drinks, and they stayed for the entirety of the Bulls game. > > The tab, after their comp-ed drinks, was $78.50. They left $80 in cash and walked out the bar. > > So, rather than being grateful for the 6 quarters tip they decided to give me, I followed them out, and told them they had left their change. They told me it was for me, and I told them that they clearly needed it more than me, and I would like them to keep it. Good for you, what they did is inexcusable. I drive cab and I generally tip large because I know full well how important it is. Just to give you an idea of how it works, for every $10 on the meter, my cut is $3.90, which I have to pay income tax on, so you can see how important tips are. I try to give excellent service, keep a clean cab, get your luggage, take it to your front step etc and I don’t get upset when I don’t get tipped by a poor person, but when I get stiffed after busting my ass by someone who is just a cheap fuck, that burns my ass. I had a person like Fuzzy Pickles in my cab last winter, here’s what happened: I picked them up at the airport where they just got back from skiing in Banff. (owners of a high-end ski shop in my town, lots of dough) I load a mountain of luggage into the cab by myself while they stood outside smoking, then I drive them home and carry all their luggage into their garage to the door leading into the house (I was only obligated to unload it into the driveway) Then the guy asks me how much and I tell him the meter was at $19.90. The fucking douche hands me a $20 and says “Keep the change” Hello? Are you fucking serious? As I walked out of his garage I threw the dime on his garage floor, LOL Lick my fuckin nuts! I suppose I should’ve been grateful and respectful because after all, 10 dimes and I’ll have a dollar. I work hard and don’t expect charity but don’t treat me like an asshole. Pickles you were a dick and I still suspect your tale is a bit of a made up story just to have some fun, but if it’s real you should get over yourself and your big fucking quarter. I would’ve threw it at you and told you to shove it up your arse. You’re the one who is disrespectful, or as we Canadians like to say “fucked in the head” is more like it. I don;t generally give street people money, but occassionally if I see someone who ‘looks’ like a nice person who is down on his luck, I’ll just walk up to him and hand him a $20. Not for directions or anything, just for nothing because sometimes everyone deserves a fucking break. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/274 "2010-12-18T11:28:54Z")
> [@John\_D\_Adamo](#): > > Oh, this thread again. Post 261: 10/28/2010 Post 262: 12/03/2010 Post 266: 12/05/2010 Post 267: 12/17/2010 ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/275 "2010-12-18T20:41:52Z")
> [@Gus\_Handsome](#): > > I work hard and don’t expect charity but don’t treat me like an asshole. Which is the difference between you and the homeless guy in the OP - you are working for your money, he is standing around expecting people to hand him money. I’d say that the latter person has zero right to expect more than a quarter, or that dime you got. As an aside, I think I’ve been in a cab four times in my 53 years so I wasn’t aware that they were to be tipped. OTOH, I don’t think I’ve ever paid the cabbie either so hopefully my husband (or in one case a friend) took care of it. We’ve rarely had anything they needed to carry tho. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/276 "2010-12-18T21:22:46Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > As an aside, I think I’ve been in a cab four times in my 53 years so I wasn’t aware that they were to be tipped. OTOH, I don’t think I’ve ever paid the cabbie either so hopefully my husband (or in one case a friend) took care of it. We’ve rarely had anything they needed to carry tho. Well aren’t you the entitled, precious little flower! ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/277 "2010-12-18T21:27:48Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Well aren’t you the entitled, precious little flower! I really fail to see how the fact that I have very little experience with riding in cabs makes me an “entitled, precious little flower”. It is probably more that you are a twit. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2010, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/278 "2010-12-19T09:29:49Z")
I fail to see how you know [“[the guy] is standing around expecting people to hand him money.”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13265906&postcount=275) Sounds a lot like the mass presumptions the OP has undertaken. ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Handsome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Gus\_Handsome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Handsome)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2010, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/279 "2010-12-19T09:32:16Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > I’ve been in a cab four times in my 53 years so I wasn’t aware that they were to be tipped. Don’t feel bad, a lot of people don’t know. (I think some pretend not to know) –\> not saying that’s you. Don’t ever just automatically tip a cabbie either. If he provides you good service, is polite, respectful and makes your cab ride enjoyable, then by all means a tip is in order but there are a lot of dirt bag cabbies who have a perpetual sneer on their face and go out of their way to be dicks; these people you don’t tip. Let common sense be your guide. I took a cab tonight and the driver’s car was such a dirty mess I refused to get inside and took the cab behind him. I look at my car like my office for 12 hours, keeping it clean says a lot about your work ethic and what kind of person you are. Some of these cabs smell like an old tuna fish sandwhich. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841/280 "2010-12-19T21:30:00Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > I fail to see how you know [“[the guy] is standing around expecting people to hand him money.”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13265906&postcount=275) Sounds a lot like the mass presumptions the OP has undertaken. Apparently you don’t live in a place where panhandlers are even fairly common. Oh, and you don’t need to quote what I’ve posted, since my opinions don’t tend to change that fast… > [@Gus\_Handsome](#): > > Don’t feel bad, a lot of people don’t know. (I think some pretend not to know) –\> not saying that’s you. Part of it is my age - when I was growing up I only saw my parents tip waitresses - and part of it is how I grew up - for example, I didn’t get on a plane for the first time until I was older so didn’t know one tips red caps - and part of it is where I grew up - cab rides were not a way of life in WA as they are in NYC. Nowdays it seems one is supposed to tip everyone! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-homeless-person-show-respect-when-i-give-you-spare-change/557841.md?page=15)