Why Do Panhandlers Irritate People So Much?

A discussion about homeless people will often turn to the subject of panhandlers. And from there the discussion will quickly erode into dismissive, derogatory and slanderous characterizations of all homeless people. Obviously, there is something about the perceived nature of panhandlers that irritates many people.

Work ethics are so highly regarded in our culture that anyone who gets by on less is often perceived as a threat. Still, those threatened by panhandlers will themselves often express a desire for a less demanding life. And in the same context, these people make arbitrary complaints about homeless people, such as homeless people don't pay taxes, yet they often express a desire for themselves to be free of taxes. It seems a professional jealousy, of sorts, to take issue with someone else's success at achieving that which is desired for one's self.

Since my initial writing on the subject of panhandlers, many people have come forward, attempting to justify their prejudice of homeless people, with stories of professional or career panhandlers, where supposedly the panhandler is drawing a steady and substantial income from the practice, and making victims of many gullible though well intentioned people. These stories tell of panhandlers making as much as six figures a year, supporting a lavish lifestyle with houses, motor homes and recreational boats. But of all these stories told to me, not one of them could be substantiated. And I have researched them quite diligently. I'm always up for learning new things, and to be proven wrong, all for the sake of truth. So, if anyone reading this has actual proof of a Career Panhandler living "the good life" please email me with the details.

I am aware that not all panhandlers are homeless. Some of them live in apartments, some even in houses, but all of them live on fixed incomes and are dependent on government subsidizes to pay their bills. These people live at or near the poverty level. So, if any of their income is dedicated to the use of illegal drugs or alcohol, they must make up the financial difference somehow, and they resort to panhandling.

The overwhelming majority of panhandlers are homeless, but that is not to say that all homeless people are panhandlers. The majority of homeless people never panhandle. And though I have heard otherwise, I know from my own several years experience on the streets that all panhandling is done to support drug and alcohol addictions. Sure, panhandlers will accept food donations, or may go to the nearest fast food restaurant to buy a burger - even addicts need to eat - but they will return forthwith to their corner or other territory so to continue begging, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a fix.

People often ask me for advice on how to approach panhandlers, specifically wanting to know if it's a good thing, or not, to give money to them. My immediate response is to say somewhat sternly, "NO." And I suggest that they use that same emphatic tone when approached by a panhandler. It leaves no doubt in the panhandler's mind that you are serious, and unwilling to bargain or bicker.

Nothing good comes from giving to panhandlers. It is something akin to feeding a stray cat; encouraged once, they will return repeatedly, expecting the same results. Panhandling is such a nuisance, and so pervasive, that proper action should be taken as soon as possible to end it. Just what constitutes "proper action" is a subject of much debate. The perpetual "discussion" of how to deal with panhandling hinders any action from being taken. Yes, there is much police harassment of panhandlers, at the behest of wealthy constituents, but there is never any discernible reduction in panhandling from this action. And on this note, let me take a moment to clarify many people's misunderstanding. Panhandling is not a crime, and cannot be made a crime. According to rulings from the United States Supreme Court, the act of panhandling is a constitutionally protected act of free speech. Just as it is a right of the panhandler to ask some one for spare change, it is also the right of anyone to tell them, "No."

I think it serves a greater purpose, in allowing panhandlers to ply their trade, to remind the whole of society about the depraved conditions that some of their fellow citizens live in. There is a heavy toll charged for all the "blessings" our country enjoys, in terms of human suffering, that most of us try to avoid acknowledging.

Though panhandling is a nuisance to regular citizens, and though many merchants complain about panhandlers bothering their customers and driving away business, no credible information has ever been offered to prove that panhandling negatively effects business. Whenever some business owner blames panhandlers for declining sales, or for going out of business all together, they can never offer up a good reason why all the other businesses in their area are not also effected. Sometimes businesses fail because the owner doesn't know how to run a business well enough to succeed. And unable to admit his own failure, the business owner may look for an easy excuse.

Actually, the presence of homeless people in a certain business district is often a good omen, as homeless people are drawn to places where many regular citizens are attracted to, and where their money flows freely.

If the ending of this blight on society will improve the quality of life for all people, then what is stopping us from doing so? Considering the entire scope of our society, homelessness, and especially panhandling, is really an insignificant part. Also, considering the size of our total economy, the costs associated with rehabilitating panhandlers is even less significant. We can afford to destroy and entire country like Iraq, without it having much of a negative impact on our country. Setting out to fix panhandling, and homelessness in general, should be a gimme.

There exists a great opportunity in the moment a panhandler approaches a citizen. In that moment, the citizen can take charge of the encounter and can turn it into something positive. He, or she, can start asking the panhandler questions - can get to know the panhandler as the human he really is, and in a moment of genuine concern, discover and provide the thing the panhandler really needs. From this a friendship between the two can begin. And the person accosted becomes no longer the victim, but the hero, setting the panhandler on a new and better course.