"Hungry Broke and Traveling" - Beggars in Seward

[Laggard]

They're crusty punks. They winter in Portland and travel here when it warms up. Mostly harmless they are a sure sign of spring.

There's always one crusty punk dog for every five crusties.

[Beenhere4ever]

Not sure of the answer but I've come to assume its a "job". For some people, getting and keeping a job is just more than they are fit for. So they've taken to the job of trying to enact a drama that will losen people's hold on their money. I've gotten to an aversion of ANYONE who seems to be approaching me directly in a parking lot. I feel like I KNOW what I'm about to here. Here's my problem. I'm donating on a monthly basis to all kinds of services for those without home or money. So when they approach me, it means they want more or they simply are unaware of the agencies that we donors support. I had a thought years ago about buying some kind of fast food meal ticket to hand out. But then it occurred to me that the people looking for drink money would turn around and see who'll buy it from them. I did save a partially unused stored value card in my wallet for a long time to be prepared for the next guy who was "trying to get bus fare". One day a guy started into his pitch, I took it out, said "here, go take your bus" and continued walking. Have no idea how that came out, but at least it knocked him out of his script.

[Mason3000]

I saw a beggar on Franklin/Hennepin at the stoplight outside of Lowry Hill liquors with a sign that read "Why lie, I need beer". I lol'd and gave him $2 for his honesty.

[Lepooq]

Hey, none of you guys have a single clue what you are talking about. These people wearing dirty clothes with dogs are not all the same. I recommend giving one a chance to be human before you write them off as rats. Some got kicked out of their homes, some were beaten by their parents, some lost their jobs, etc.

Yes. Some of them will go buy booze. Some of them cannot care for their dog. But there are many who got down on their luck once and decided to run with it, to travel, and keep a dog as a companion and protection. Who will accept any temporary work you offer them. Who are starving artists in the literal sense of the word.

OP, maybe rather than go ask people who are just as clueless as you, you could actually grow a pair and make a goddamn first person experience for yourself.

All of them will probably buy drugs and booze? Are you ****ing kidding me? You think a traveler can waltz into a town and get a meth connect? Do you guys even think, or just assume the first theory you come up with is right?

[Beenhere4ever]

I think there are different stories. A lot of homes in America are abusive. But I think it is equally true that some people look at the life in some sort of "gee that's romantic" illusion. It is their way of dropping out of the rat race that America has produced as more and more wealth collects in fewer and fewer hands. It takes more and more effort to conform and hold onto a corporate job. Coming out of some of these households, they just can't drop into a corporate niche and be happy.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by Lepooq

Hey, none of you guys have a single clue what you are talking about. These people wearing dirty clothes with dogs are not all the same. I recommend giving one a chance to be human before you write them off as rats. Some got kicked out of their homes, some were beaten by their parents, some lost their jobs, etc.

Yes. Some of them will go buy booze. Some of them cannot care for their dog. But there are many who got down on their luck once and decided to run with it, to travel, and keep a dog as a companion and protection. Who will accept any temporary work you offer them. Who are starving artists in the literal sense of the word.

OP, maybe rather than go ask people who are just as clueless as you, you could actually grow a pair and make a goddamn first person experience for yourself.

All of them will probably buy drugs and booze? Are you ****ing kidding me? You think a traveler can waltz into a town and get a meth connect? Do you guys even think, or just assume the first theory you come up with is right?

you're trying to get a response out of someone who made a handful of posts nearly 4 years ago?

[Beenhere4ever]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

you're trying to get a response out of someone who made a handful of posts nearly 4 years ago?

It is tricky when an old thread gets revived.

[dravogadro]

Just to make it more Minneapolis-centric, some lyrics that popped in my head from a famous local rapper:

You don't give money to the bums
on a corner with a sign bleeding from their gums
Talking about you don't support a crackhead
What you think happens to the money from your taxes

[Beenhere4ever]

Originally Posted by dravogadro

Just to make it more Minneapolis-centric, some lyrics that popped in my head from a famous local rapper:

The money from my taxes goes to New Jersey land developers who don't find the Metrodome pleasing.