[Athens]

While I was having a smoke a bum comes up to me for change, and I keep saying I don’t carry money (for that reason) and she was telling me her sad sad story how she’s hungry and blah blah, so I print off a list of places to get free food, one is only 2 blocks from here at 10PM every night and her response, "would you go and eat free food from them" them being organizations and the city feeding the homeless and I say "no because I don’t need to" and she said "then why should I" I just felt like saying then fine go F*** off and die then.

A American tourist last week bought another bum a sandwich from 711 and the first thing he does when he leaves the store he tries to sell it for change. Like serious I have no heart for these people any more.

[Randman]

So you love penis but hate bums.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Randman

So you love penis but hate bums.

YES, and I really do LOL

[nredman]

aren't most bums on drugs or drunk all the time? when your life is that depressing i'm sure eating food doesnt make you feel much better. i feel bad for the homeless people, not for the people they bother for money.

[Athens]

I feel sorry for those that try to help and get taking advantage of.

[Mastrap]

I have mixed feelings. When I see somebody who is clearly coherent and looks physically healthy my first reaction is 'get a job'.
We were walking up Spanina a couple of days back when a really quite well dressed guy asked for change. He didn't get any, but not in an abusive way, just a 'sorry'. When we walked back some time later he asked again, recognized us and muttered something about arrogant people.

On the other hand I had a toothless old tramp strike up a conversation with me a day later which ended in him asking for money to buy something to eat. I knew he'd probably spend it on booze, but hey, he was a nice guy and he got a loonie.

[DeathToWindows]

Depends for me... if one is rattling a cup in my face, I just want a quarterstaff. There is a guy in Harvard Sq who lives on the street with his cat and dog... and he's a nice guy... always gets a buck or so from me.

[Athens]

Most of the downtown ppl in Vancouver who ask for money are crack addicts, in the summer time include freeloaders that look homeless that pretend to get money from tourists. The real homeless never ask for anything and those people are usually people with something wrong with them, mental disorders and stuff. Very very few who are really down on there luck, and the ones with mental disorders are people that used be to be housed in mental hospitals until they decided to close a few of them down to balance the budget. And its those people I really feel for.

[OldManMac]

I don't hate anyone, although I do intensely dislike smoking.

[JoshuaZ]

I remember reading an article a while back about how in the 70's and 80's and early 90's a decent segment of the bum population were Nam vets who suffered from mental illness. Which was just part of the larger part of the article which was talking about how a large segment of the total bum population suffered from some sort of mental illness.

But these days you do tend to see a large number of hard core drug users out there.

Or here in good old 日本 they just tend to be drunk dudes sleeping in train stations, who everyone avoids. They are apparently above begging for change. They got some self respect.

[Spliff]

Originally Posted by Athens

YES, and I really do LOL

Wait, if you love penis you should also love bums.

Since when did you start loving penis? Did Severed Hand of Skywalker convert you? Never trust someone from Toronto. As a Vancouverite, you should know that.

[V12]

bums....i like to call them economically challenged

[demograph68]

economically disadvantaged

[Salty]

Fortunately Winnipeg doesn't have many beggars. I did get taken earlier this year with a friend. My friend's girl friend pointed out to us afterward that the guy who was asking for bus fair had at least a loonie she could see in his other hand.
I was like... crap we just helped him buy booze.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Salty

Fortunately Winnipeg doesn't have many beggars. I did get taken earlier this year with a friend. My friend's girl friend pointed out to us afterward that the guy who was asking for bus fair had at least a loonie she could see in his other hand.
I was like... crap we just helped him buy booze.

Well that’s because over time they make there way here. I have asked a few bums where they come from, a lot from Alberta, some from Manitoba and some from even as far as Quebec. They all said the same thing its to cold to be homeless in other parts of Canada. So Vancouver gets hit with its own bums and a lot of bums from the entire nation. Something like 5000 homeless in Vancouver the last count being a year ago.

[Face Ache]

I give my change to "bums". I don't care if they don't need it. I don't need it either.

[ShotgunEd]

Originally Posted by V12

bums....i like to call them economically challenged

I was about to reply "actually I find my g/f's bum very ergonomic".

Then I re-read. Thats what I get for staying up till 2am sourcing iTunes art to make my coverflow/jewelcase combo look über-cool.

[Fonzie]

Is there no safetynet for bums in the US or Canada ? I mean there should be no reason why someone would live on the street begging for money. Where I live there is really no need for anybody to be out of a home or money but yet people (stupid people as they are) decide to live on the streets.... All the homeless bums have to do is go to the city hall and get their money and even ask if they can get a place to stay. Alot of people are so far out that all they think about is getting money for alcohol which I find disturbing. They all complain about that there are no place for them to be allowed to sleep at night. asses. why don't they all just jump of a bridge or something. grr.

bottom line. I hate them. there should be a zero tolerance policy for these kind of people. the same with drug addicts. and why not put smokers in there aswell

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Fonzie

Is there no safetynet for bums in the US or Canada ? I mean there should be no reason why someone would live on the street begging for money. Where I live there is really no need for anybody to be out of a home or money but yet people (stupid people as they are) decide to live on the streets.... All the homeless bums have to do is go to the city hall and get their money and even ask if they can get a place to stay. Alot of people are so far out that all they think about is getting money for alcohol which I find disturbing. They all complain about that there are no place for them to be allowed to sleep at night. asses. why don't they all just jump of a bridge or something. grr.

bottom line. I hate them. there should be a zero tolerance policy for these kind of people. the same with drug addicts. and why not put smokers in there aswell

Yes there is a safty net here in Canada and I suspect one in the the US too, problem is you cant force people to make use of the services.

Look when you tell a person where to go get free food and they say no I want money and when you see some one get given food and they try and sell it for money guess what its for drugs. Most of the ppl here on the streets get 600.00 a month welfare checks, free food and cloth and shelter and spend all there money on drugs. Most of the ppl on the streets are drug addicts, only drugs matter to them nothing else. The US approch is to lock them up in Jail, our approch is to offer injection sites and incentives to want to get off drugs, but the problem for most homeless here is drugs. And I have a zero tolerance to them because I get asked for smokes every single time I go outside for one, thats about 15 times a night, add another 5 going to work and another 5 going home so about 25 times a day I get asked for smokes, and same goes with change. Andits usually the same people asking each time. And when you see them spaced out one night and begging for money the next its pretty easy to assume they want money for drugs.

Now for the safty net, they can get cloth, resumes, baths and resources like phones, faxes for free from the salvation army, there are several groups that provide food every night in vans, lots of missions for food and shelter as well. Lots of shelters and when its below zero emergancy shelters open up because its only when its that cold they actually make use of them. When its not super cold they dont use the shelters that are open all year round. Sorry dude but ppl need to want help to be helped, cant hold a gun to there heads and say you will sleep tonight and you will go here for food tonight.

[besson3c]

[wdlove]

Originally Posted by Athens

YES, and I really do LOL

Hate is very strong word. In most cases, it is very sad circumstances that have led them to that point. Happy that you have a love for penis.

[besson3c]

The penis mightier than the sword.

[KeriVit]

I knew a guy who played the trombone on the street in Savannah. He also has a polaroid and took pics of you and him playing the trombone. Generally he got at least a buck a pic. After some conversation later at a blues club i found him at... I found out he makes about $30k/yr. just from the street peddling and plenty more from the clubs he plays and classes he teaches.

[Athens]

Summer time people pretending to be homeless make about 200 a day tax free buy just asking for a buck here and there. Its amazing and they just make it seem even worst. You can tell a real homeless person from a fake by smell, not looks. IF they smell real real bad they are homeless.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Randman

So you love penis but hate bums.

Alright, that was pretty funny.

[PB2K]

i have been to Vancouver, stayed in Jericho . When you walk over the streets you don't notice the bums that obvious, it's when you stand still for a few seconds and focus on the people around you that you see the odd behaviour of junkies. Suddenly I saw tens of them. It was when I walked into Chinatown that I saw really disastrous things, like 100's and 100's of meth-junkies all living in their own desperate world.

My theory is that in canada, where people seem to have healthy lifestyles, you are pretty quick considered an outcast if people find out you used drugs or alcohol, or become pregnant. I remember this story about a problem with canadian runaway teens. now I've seen where they end up.

i have to add, i have never been asked for change when i walked thru Vancouver. It was really odd because in Holland they are really rude asking for it. While they are on welfare, still they play the pityful homeless. Sometimes I give some money, it depends on the situation.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by PB2K

i have been to Vancouver, stayed in Jericho . When you walk over the streets you don't notice the bums that obvious, it's when you stand still for a few seconds and focus on the people around you that you see the odd behaviour of junkies. Suddenly I saw tens of them. It was when I walked into Chinatown that I saw really disastrous things, like 100's and 100's of meth-junkies all living in their own desperate world.

My theory is that in canada, where people seem to have healthy lifestyles, you are pretty quick considered an outcast if people find out you used drugs or alcohol, or become pregnant. I remember this story about a problem with canadian runaway teens. now I've seen where they end up.

i have to add, i have never been asked for change when i walked thru Vancouver. It was really odd because in Holland they are really rude asking for it. While they are on welfare, still they play the pityful homeless. Sometimes I give some money, it depends on the situation.

Most of our bums are very polite, when asking for change or just walking bye they are usually more polite then the tourists that stay at the hotel. Most of them are not outcasts because we are a healthy society, when they get to the point of hitting the streets they are really far gone into there drugs, they leave there friends and family's behind and become another member of the streets always looking for that next hit. Problem is a perfectly healthy normal adult can turn into a street bum in a year and in 2 years age 20 years and look like he’s been on the streets his entire life.

[Railroader]

If I were a homeless bum I'd make a pilgrimage to San Diego. They seem to treat their bums there pretty nicely. Plus the weather is perfect year round for outdoor living.

My wife and I were partying in the gas lamp quarter and saw quite a few who looked quite clean. When we were leaving at the end of the night I saw a bunch of them laying out sleeping bags in rows outside the side of a nice hotel and the doorman was havign a polite conversation with a few in the group.

But then, they might have been doctors or postal workers. With the price of housing in San Diego, you could make 6 figures and still be forced to live on the streets.

[italiano]

I solved the bum problem years ago - when I see them approaching I always say "Hey Buddy - c'meer would ya'... Listen Dude I'm really broke right now and is there any way you could spare about $5.00 for gas cause I'm never gonna get home otherwise..." THROWS EM' EVREYTIME.

[PB2K]

i don't see the point in kicking someone down who's in a rotten situation anyhow

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Railroader

If I were a homeless bum I'd make a pilgrimage to San Diego. They seem to treat their bums there pretty nicely. Plus the weather is perfect year round for outdoor living.

My wife and I were partying in the gas lamp quarter and saw quite a few who looked quite clean. When we were leaving at the end of the night I saw a bunch of them laying out sleeping bags in rows outside the side of a nice hotel and the doorman was havign a polite conversation with a few in the group.

But then, they might have been doctors or postal workers. With the price of housing in San Diego, you could make 6 figures and still be forced to live on the streets.

Well true if I was homeless I would do that. Now if I am a drug addict, there is no better place to be then here.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by PB2K

i don't see the point in kicking someone down who's in a rotten situation anyhow

same, I talk to them, let them use the phone some times, but I never tease them and never give them smokes or money

[RAzaRazor]

Bums drive me crazy. There is always a bum at the freeway offramp I use to get home at night. The same 4 bums rotate through the spot.

Normally I can ignore them, but my boyfriend was driving my car and decided to give some money to one of them.

Now when that guy sees my car (the only black GTO in town), he always expects something and comes up to the window. If he sees that it's me, I get a dirty look and he cusses at me under his breath.

(Maybe my next car will be an old police cruiser. You should see how fast those guys manage to disappear when they see a cop car coming down the offramp.)

[NYCFarmboy]

Originally Posted by Athens

While I was having a smoke a bum comes up to me for change, and I keep saying I don’t carry money (for that reason) and she was telling me her sad sad story how she’s hungry and blah blah, so I print off a list of places to get free food, one is only 2 blocks from here at 10PM every night and her response, "would you go and eat free food from them" them being organizations and the city feeding the homeless and I say "no because I don’t need to" and she said "then why should I" I just felt like saying then fine go F*** off and die then.

A American tourist last week bought another bum a sandwich from 711 and the first thing he does when he leaves the store he tries to sell it for change. Like serious I have no heart for these people any more.

the reality is that any money given to bums..er I mean the "homeless" goes for booze & drugs.

[Monique]

I feel so sorry for them; whatever is the reason why they are on the streets.

If I have any money I prefer to give it to an organization that helps those people.

Here in Alberta the welfare cheque is $394. which has to cover for everything, rent, food, transport, phone...

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Monique

I feel so sorry for them; whatever is the reason why they are on the streets.

If I have any money I prefer to give it to an organization that helps those people.

Here in Alberta the welfare cheque is $394. which has to cover for everything, rent, food, transport, phone...

Any reason they can't work? You know those garbage cleaners make $20/h.

Garbage men make over $50,000.

[CMYKid]

Any reason they can't work? You know those garbage cleaners make $20/h.

I've always thought that actually. 'Round here many of ours pillage dumpsters and alleys for scrap metal and haul it to recyclery's in shopping carts...might as well they get paid for what they already are good at for free.

[Monique]

Everything is so simple when you can't have any empathy.

[Monique]

double post

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by Monique

Everything is so simple when you can't have any empathy.

It is simple, but it is not easy which is why these people are in their respective situations.

It is easier to stand where you are at than it is to lift yourself up.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Any reason they can't work? You know those garbage cleaners make $20/h.

Garbage men make over $50,000.

The ones with mental problems its because of mental problems. The rest usually had decent jobs before losing them to addictions which lands them on the streets.

In the case of Alberta, especially Edmonton and Calgary jobs are every where. When I was there 8 months ago, every place I ate at, every store I went into had help wanted signs. With a unemployment rate of 4% its pretty dam hard not to be able to find work there.

[CMYKid]

Everything is so simple when you're a reactionary bleeding heart that doesnt rationally think through the fact that people have free will and can get off their asses and getta job if they chose to.

[ghporter]

I contribute to a variety of charities that take in and feed the homeless, but I do not give beggars money. I ran out of empathy for beggars a while back. Anyone who begs on the street here in San Antonio has a choice of a number of shelters that offer not only food and shelter, but a way out of abject poverty. They always seem to have openings. I depend on those (and other agencies) to screen folks and provide for those that aren't just after money for booze or drugs.

And those guys with the "I'm a Vet, Please help" signs-I AM A VET TOO, and all you have to do is go to the nearest VA office or hospital to get all the help you need to get off the street. Here in SA there are BOTH (Audy Murphy VA Hospital is one of the larger ones), and it's easy to get to both of them. There's no excuse for a Vet to not bother with them.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Athens

The ones with mental problems its because of mental problems. The rest usually had decent jobs before losing them to addictions which lands them on the streets.

I should feel sorry for people who got themselves hooked on drugs?

[The Internet]

I used to be a bum.

[Randman]

Originally Posted by Railroader

If I were a homeless bum I'd make a pilgrimage to San Diego.

Would you fly or just drive?

[PBG4 User]

Originally Posted by The Internet

I used to be a bum.

Me too. I used to live in Golden Gate Park and bum for change on Stanyan in San Fran and Telegraph Ave in Berzerkeley (17 years ago). Luckily I was able to get some help from family, clean up my act, get some schooling and land a decent job. If it wasn't for my family though I don't know where I'd be today.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by The Internet

I used to be a bum.

I used to have a bum.

Wait, I still do.


I'm funny sometimes!!

[Ratspittle]

We call em mashees, as in "mashee kweshun, mav a dollar?"
They are thick as theives around here (a very hippy-fied town, aka, easy money). You'll see the same mashee four times in a day, each time he has a completely different story. The new rage is "I'm from new orleans, and I lost everything" mind you these are the same people who have been on our streets for years. There is very little mashee turnover around here.
some of you may feel it's heartless, but after dealing with these people daily for 7+ years I find this site, done by an aquaintance, histerical(sp?).
http://www.masheekweshun.com/

[Athens]

I lived on the streets for 6 months when I was a teen, it was by choice and learned a lot about the people on the streets. I also went home when it got cold lol.