# I Think I was Had! Or Did I Do a Good Deed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 5, 2021, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105 "2021-08-05T15:13:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/21 "2021-08-05T16:22:40Z")
Some things should indeed, be means tested, like government programs, for instance. Homeless street people should not, in my humble opinion. I don’t/can’t know this person’s life, but clearly things are going badly, they could use some help. I don’t want to turn their life around, I just want to maybe ease their suffering in some small way. It’s enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/22 "2021-08-05T16:28:06Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > I went home, filled a Ziploc bag with dog food, and put it in a plastic grocery bag along with some treats, a rawhide chew bone, a bottle of water, a bottle of lemonade (for the girl), and $10. You were _good deed_ all the way until the $10. Then you were had. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > The homeless people I assist at the food pantry thank you for your concern. > If that is the excuse you need to not give to those in need, more power to you. Most of them are not begging on the corner. Give or volunteer to food banks, charities, and etc, not direct cash to scammers. As said here: > [@Roger\_That](#): > > I think there’s a difference between giving money to a food pantry and giving money to a stranger with a sad story on the street… I give to buskers not to beggars. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/23 "2021-08-05T16:36:40Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > So was she out there scamming people? Was the person in the car forcing her to beg? Or maybe the car was all they had and they truly needed money. Scamming? Kind of. Whatever was written on the sign was designed to garner the most sympathy and get the most donations rather than being truthful. Forced to beg? Probably not. Probably the person in the car was the person she was in a relationship with. If it was a guy, then they know that a young girl with a dog will get more donations, so she’s the one who stands on the corner. If she was being forced, she would likely be in a more high-dollar activity. Living in their car? Probably. Anyone with a stable job and house isn’t likely to do a lot of panhandling. They may have housing, but it may be a daily motel or something where it’s essentially temporary. Whatever they make through panhandling is likely what they have for their daily expenses. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/24 "2021-08-05T16:47:26Z")
I’d like to put to rest the notion that begging on a street corner brings in loads of cash. Or at least enough of it that it would attract scammers. The job pays less than minimum wage for cry’n out loud. I’m quite confident the girl in question is indeed struggling in some way. The guy’s car you saw her getting into could be a friend whose couch she is sleeping on. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/25 "2021-08-05T16:54:56Z")
Go stand on a median, in a busy intersection, in the middle of the summer, and see if it’s something you’d do just for giggles. Walmarts generally allow overnight parking, even for people sleeping in cars. The most simple explanation is that both of them are living in the car and the girl was the one on the median because young woman + dog = max sympathy. They were leaving because they didn’t want the cops to see her getting into a stationary vehicle and possibly getting hassled all over again. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/26 "2021-08-05T17:04:52Z")
At least some panhandlers use pets to beef up donations: “While panhandling with pets may work brilliantly as a money-making strategy, it’s actually not legal in some parts of the country. “I got calls and I got emails from the Las Vegas Humane Society… from tourists that were here complaining about itty bitty kittens and itty bitty puppies being used for the purposes of panhandling,” Chris Giunchigliani, the commissioner of Clark County (Nevada), [explained in 2012](http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/16438896/county-commissioners-target-strip-panhandlers-with-pets). The situation led Giunchigliani to push a ban on panhandling with pets in the main location it was being done—the famous Las Vegas Strip. The [ban became law](http://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/mar/06/commission-approves-strip-animal-ban/) a few months later.” > **[If You Want to Make Real Money as a Panhandler, Get a Dog](https://money.com/panhandler-dog-cat-pets/)** > > Strategy highly recommended by panhandling pros. On the other hand, people with pets can become homeless. There’s a charity (Pets Of The Homeless) set up for helping take care of these animals, though I can’t personally vouch for it. ---
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/27 "2021-08-05T17:06:57Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I once listened to a guy in a wheelchair playing a keyboard on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. I put a couple dollars in his can. He then shut down for the day, unplugging his keyboard, emptying his can, etc. Then he loaded all his stuff onto the wheelchair and walked away, pushing it. Using a wheelchair does not mean you can’t walk at all. ffs ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/28 "2021-08-05T17:20:11Z")
Thanks, everyone. I feel better now. I’m sure there was at least somewhat of a need. There was no way to know what the whole story was. And like I said, I felt good that the dog was going to eat. That was my main concern from the beginning. Last summer for about a week or two, there were sign holders at every intersection up and down the highway. This highway runs through the area’s retail and restaurant mecca. I had heard that there was an organized ring. People were sent out with signs and then at the end of the day, a percentage of their earnings were turned over to the “pimp”. That’s what I meant by “forced by someone”. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/29 "2021-08-05T17:24:26Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > Last Saturday morning as I was leaving Walmart, I saw a young girl (20s) standing on a median at the intersection of the street that feeds into Walmart and a busy highway. When I see YOUNG girls/men, and I don’t see any apparent disabilities, I immediately ignore them. There are “Help Wanted” signs all over the place. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/30 "2021-08-05T17:44:51Z")
I agree - EVERYONE is hiring. It was the dog that got to me. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/31 "2021-08-05T18:13:19Z")
This is exactly right. Good thing, right reason. If she scammed you and sold the dog food for whatever, you still did the right thing for the right reason. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/32 "2021-08-05T18:21:00Z")
I tend to reward scammers for their level of bullshit. If they can make a sufficiently entertaining story, even though is is obviously false, then I am willing to part with money for my entertainment. I expect a certain level of effort before I am willing to part with a reward. That said, I also donate to people who seem hopeless and unable to make up a story to entertain me. Typing out that last sentence made me feel like I am a bit of a shit person, but I live in the 3rd world and while I am comparatively rich I cannot donate to everyone. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/33 "2021-08-05T18:34:58Z")
I think the dog food was fed to the dog. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/34 "2021-08-05T18:55:48Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I tend to reward scammers for their level of bullshit. If they can make a sufficiently entertaining story, even though is is obviously false, then I am willing to part with money for my entertainment. I have done this as well. I paid for a “gold” ring in Paris that I had apparently “dropped” and a helpful young lady retrieved it for me. I knew of the scam and was happy to play along. And I got a gold ring as a memento to remember my trip to Paris. Gave her 5 euro and thanked her for her performance. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/35 "2021-08-05T19:04:23Z")
Yeah, bc managers are just chomping at the to hire homeless people with tattered clothes and haven’t bathed in a week. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/36 "2021-08-05T19:23:59Z")
Frankly, if you don’t want to give to a beggar, that’s fine, I usually don’t. But I hate the people feel the need to qualify it with “Well, I WOULD HAVE, but they’re too young/too old/going to buy drugs/etc.” ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/37 "2021-08-05T20:05:41Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > eah, bc managers are just chomping at the to hire homeless people with tattered clothes and haven’t bathed in a week. Your comment has absolutely NOTHING to do with this particular situation and my comment to this particular situation that involved a healthy young girl with a dog who drove away in a car. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/38 "2021-08-05T20:13:16Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > …this particular situation that involved a healthy young girl with a dog who drove away in a car. Well, if she can afford to have a canine chauffeur she probably doesn’t need public assistance. 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/39 "2021-08-05T20:35:22Z")
At least she didn’t have cat that drove, as they are notoriously awful drivers. Then she would really need the help. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105/40 "2021-08-05T20:50:16Z")
It’s okay, he’s a licensed Guide Dog. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-was-had-or-did-i-do-a-good-deed/948105.md?page=3)