RE: The Stable of Beggars- Professional Panhandlers Testing Our Empathy?
I read an article by a guy who tried standing on a corner with a sign to see what it was like to beg for money. He stood there all day and made $30. I don't know if even twice that much would be lucrative enough to benefit someone who could get a minimum wage job instead.
Maybe the beggar in the comments with the Grand Am had a great life once, but now all he has left is the car he lives in. I can think of a lot of reasons why someone with a messed up life would stand outside all day for $30, but it's hard to consider that a good option for a well-functioning person.
Maybe I'm wrong, and he's out there trying to buy new rims for his car. But if he wants them bad enough to stand outside day after day collecting change, I'm happy to throw some money into the pot to help him. :-)
It always looked like a harder job than I would be willing to do, to stand there looking forlorn all day for money. I did consider playing my tabla drums in the NY subway for tips, but could never bring myself to do that either, eventually getting an actual job.