Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Reflecting on the homeless who beg on the corner


23 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

These two are homeless? Really?

Jack said...

It is sad about the true homeless, who often endure mental problems or drug abuse or both. Not so sad about the people who beg and pretend to be in dire straits, then go home to decent places after their shifts, because begging is profitable. I don't know which you captured here.

Kay said...

Jack's nailed the issue. How do you know who's in dire straits and who's not unless you see and recognize the same beggars repeatedly?

Linda said...

Here in Montreal such a large number of the homeless are mentally ill. It is very sad. Nice capture.

RedPat said...

I became friends about 15 years ago with a guy who lived in our local park (even in the winter) - he got a hand up from someone else in the neighbourhood and now has a small place of his own. He never begged - always did odd jobs, walked dogs, etc. I still see him every week and he still ekes out a living with a bit of help from social services. I find it hard to deal with people begging on corners too - like Jack I wonder where they go afterwards and often the younger ones have more expensive clothes than me. It's a real quandary .

Randy said...

I agree with Jack too. I tend to offer food and when they turn me down I think they want beer or drugs.

Pierre BOYER said...

I regulary work with homeless...

Pierre

Elettra said...

really original!

cieldequimper said...

I agree with Jack and Randy. I tend to offer food and am often turned down. There are lots of beggars in Paris who affect a terrible limp, walking with difficulty with a cane. That's until I saw one literally taking off running at top speed... Too bad for the real needy ones, but now I don't give anymore...

Janet said...

I like the way you captured this photo.

Anonymous said...

An incredibly awesome photograph!!! That is my $5 they have in their pocket!! I know..I know..everyone has their opinion about this but it is not for me to judge or question but to give what I have in my 'ashtray' as I go by...it is just who I am.

Birdman said...

I do get a kick out of some of the signs they hold... Is that a bad thing?
Whip me!

SRQ said...

When you give to panhandlers, 92 cents out of every dollar goes to drugs, alcohol or prostitution. When I'm approached, I'm happy to talk with them and provide info on the vast charitable organizations where they can get help, if that's what they truly want. Recently, I was approached by a woman who said she needed just $1.25 to catch the city bus home. I suggested she look for a police officer and he/she might be able to help make arrangements. The more I mentioned the word 'police' the more skittish she became until she finally hightailed it away from me.

Halcyon said...

I sometimes wonder about these people. But I admit I sometimes give when they are standing out on the corner on a snowy, cold day. I don't think people choose to live like that and I feel bad for them.

Judy said...

I think this could be any city. A thought inspiring photo.

Anonymous said...

Pretty well dressed looking beggars!

Small City Scenes said...

I don't understand the homeless and I suppose that makes me look unsympathetic---mebbe so. We've been down and out but were taught to pull ourselves up and get at it---maybe not so easy in today's world. Or maybe too easy. MB

Pat said...

Interesting discussion above. I agree that these two don't look too hard up. Here I give sometimes to people who really, really look down and out....but not if they're smoking. Shame on me, but if they can afford the cigarettes...

tapirgal said...

One of the few times I gave $$ I saw the guy coming out of the Pussycat Theater awhile later. I do feel sorry for the truly needy. Hard to tell who they are, but even the ploys are an old tradition.

Anonymous said...

Another really great shot. I love how you captured this. I always appreciate the people who are honest with their signs. My two favorites were a guy I saw in Seattle holding a sign that said "Old, ugly hippie seeks weed and beer" and a young guy who was literally jumping up and down in front of Wal-Mart holding a sign that said, "Need Money to Party." I was tempted to give them a buck just for making me laugh.

Karl said...

Well seen Lowell, do you own a red car?

magiceye said...

Superb street shot

Unknown said...

Great capture, Lowell. I was shocked the other night when I realized how many homeless spend the night on the arcades of this square!
http://oeirasdailyphoto.blogspot.pt/2012/06/king-jose-i.html

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson