[sue422mayer]

Beware! I was in the parking lot of Steak & Shake tonight about to leave and a white van pulled up with a male driver and female in the passenger seat. She apologized for bothering me but she said she had been stuck in the area for about 4 hours and her friend was driving her around asking people for gas money to get home! I immediately told her "no I will not give her any money". They left and went to the next people in the parking lot. I then saw they go into the Fresh Market parking lot and started asking people there. I wish I had gotten their licence number so I could report them to the police. Do not give any money to anyone that is asking for it. It is a scam. Just a warning.

[tomwed]

I was approached too on 301 two weeks ago. I said no very quickly, very defensively. Later I felt like ......................

[Villager Dude]

I think this same crew was working Oakwood last year. I would suspect they make a good living taking advantage of the kind people around The Villages.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I was approached too on 301 two weeks ago. I said no very quickly, very defensively. Later I felt like ......................

Get over it.


That is the reason it works. Most people are caring. They aren't caring.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Get over it.


That is the reason it works. Most people are caring. They aren't caring.

ok.....

[gerryann]

As soon as season starts they come out. Very often there are two different sets of people begging for cash near Aldis. One very attractive young lady gets into a very nice car. Don't give them money and don't feel guilty. There are many jobs available here if they want to earn money.

[DonH57]

Reminds me of the time we were sitting at a Sonic in Orlando on International drive when this guy was going around asking for bus money because he was stranded by a trucker. He was hitting up every one in the lot till the manager told him to vacate. He later took off on a bicycle. Good try.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by tomwed

ok.....

I rarely say" get over it". It sounds so harsh and I didn't mean it that way.


They are back, the professional folks who beg.


I am sorry that I said it like that.


Just because I debate you, doesn't ever mean I don't respect you and like you.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I rarely say" get over it". It sounds so harsh and I didn't mean it that way.


They are back, the professional folks who beg.


I am sorry that I said it like that.


Just because I debate you, doesn't ever mean I don't respect you and like you.

I know. That's not the first thing I wrote either. But I changed it to ok. No hard feelings. I turn down everyone that asks for money. And than I hear about all the out of work vets and these people living in the woods and wonder what I would do. Five bucks wouldn't make a difference to me,

[jblum315]

Just say no

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I know. That's not the first thing I wrote either. But I changed it to ok. No hard feelings. I turn down everyone that asks for money. And than I hear about all the out of work vets and these people living in the woods and wonder what I would do. Five bucks wouldn't make a difference to me,

Donate it to DAV, or Wounded Warriors, or Independence Fund---but don't let these scammers get over on you. 95% are not vets, and a lot make a good living off the unsuspecting. Remember the two nuns sitting in Penn Station for 20 years in the 60's and 70's??? For those who are unfamiliar, they sat near the entrance to the Long Island RR tracks and made millions in charity for their order. Turned out they were two homosexual lovers in drag---remember this was before it became "fashionable" to be gay

[tomwed]

Have you been to San Francisco in the last 5 years? H2G I was approached no less than 4 times a day. Once I got chased into a hotel by a lunatic who never found me. The pan handlers down here a small potatoes in comparison.

[golfing eagles]

When my son was living in Phoenix, he owned a commercial painting company. One day he stopped at the entrance to I-10 where the homeless people would sit and "sell" the "Grapevine"--the homeless newsletter for $1. He offered this guy a job, training for a trade at $12/ hour in 1996. His response----"that's WORK!!!"

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Have you been to San Francisco in the last 5 years? H2G I was approached no less than 4 times a day. Once I got chased into a hotel by a lunatic who never found me. The pan handlers down here a small potatoes in comparison.

Yes, I was in San Francisco about 6 weeks ago. Stayed for a week at a Marriott near Fisherman's Wharf. I saw lots of pan handlers on the streets with their signs asking for money. However, at no time did any of them verbally ask for money. There was no verbal communication. It was not a pretty sight to see all the pan handlers and homeless. Some are by choice but I suspect most are in need of mental help.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Yes, I was in San Francisco about 6 weeks ago. Stayed for a week at a Marriott near Fisherman's Wharf. I saw lots of pan handlers on the streets with their signs asking for money. However, at no time did any of them verbally ask for money. There was no verbal communication. It was not a pretty sight to see all the pan handlers and homeless. Some are by choice but I suspect most are in need of mental help.

The problem has to do with the gentrification of San Francisco. Take a look at the rent SF Rent History Chart | Unquiet Titles.
My son and I must look more approachable. And it was about 3 years ago.