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What would you do if a scraggly homeless person knocked on your door, and all he asked was for a sandwich, a bottle of water, a bath, and perhaps a beard trim?

I’ve actually skipped work just to help a homeless guy get his beard trimmed. Bought him pizza too. Kinda hard to get anywhere in life when you look like shit.

Be kind to the homeless, they just need a helping hand here and there.

What would you do?

wuphysics87 ,

Several years ago, my mom started making care for folks out on the street. Some water, a bag of chips, a piece of candy. Little things like that. I started doing the same thing. It’s good to help those down on their luck in small ways. Even to to look at them and say “no, I’m sorry” when they ask for money, rather than to just ignore them. You are acknowledging them as a person. If we wish to make a better society, actions speak louder than words.

I also prefer the term ‘de-housed’ to ‘homeless’. I feel the latter places blame on them rather than the former which places blame on the society which has failed them.

over_clox OP ,

I remember a skit by the late George Carlin where he suggested that instead of calling them homeless, that we should call them houseless instead, so yeah I get what you mean there.

wuphysics87 ,

Plow the golf courses and cemeteries! Give these folks a place to live!

over_clox OP ,

Ah, I see you’re a fan of the late George Carlin as well… 👍

CorruptedArk ,

This is the first time I’m hearing plow cemeteries, and I’m not sure I’m on board with that. People usually spend time there to deal with grief and losing a little bit more of a dead loved one would be incredibly painful for a lot of folks

Fuck golf courses though

wuphysics87 ,

It’s a joke from George Carlin. I wouldn’t advocate for plowing old ones (although dead stuff makes fertile soil). Personally, I wouldn’t make new ones, but perhaps a middle ground is to make mausoleums wbere people can be burried vertically.

CorruptedArk ,

Fair, never heard that one, but I can agree with not making new ones

0laura ,
@0laura@lemmy.world avatar

I think homeless is more fitting. at least to me, it’s a more emotional/painful word, which is a good thing. being homeless sounds a lot shittier than being dehoused to me.

wuphysics87 ,

That’s an interesting point, provided it motivates people to do something about it, rather than assigning a moral failing to the individual. I.e. they deserve it for their sins. In my mind, dehoused elucidates the lack of a basic human need: shelter. There is a solution, especially in the face of the greed of rent seeking.

andrewta ,

Food? OK

Water? OK

The rest? No.

HobbitFoot ,

Yeah. I don’t like people in my place.

CorruptedArk ,

I subscribe to a policy of cautious altruism, like a lot of folks already said. I need to keep myself and my family safe so probably not allow in the house, but I’d give food water, the hose, soap, shampoo, clean towel, and a change of clothes if I can. Maybe even some cash if I have it around to spare.

If I have a shed or garage I’d allow them to use it to change clothes privately and offer to wash their clothes if safe. They may have residue of drugs like meth on their clothes that I’m unable handle.

I’ve also got a decent amount of privilege to share.

Be kind, be safe

over_clox OP ,

Be kind, be safe, and love thy fellow person. 👍

CorruptedArk ,

I’ve quite a few friends I’ve personally pulled out of homelessness, so I’ve seen how hard it is firsthand, I hope things are better for you

over_clox OP ,

Things actually are better for me these days. Not great, but much better. I’m living in a decent affordable apartment now, rather than the old run down trailer park I came from.

Thank you for your kind words. 👍

I’ve had people occasionally help me along the way, and at my discretion, I’m glad to help others in return when possible. Pass it forward…

CorruptedArk ,

Also, for anyone reading through this thinking, “I shouldn’t give them money because drugs”

I use drugs to cope with chronic pain so I can get through a workday

I’m skilled labor and make a decent salary

The only things separating me from a homeless person were some “fortunate” family deaths providing enough inheritance to put me through college at a good time and some lucky networking

We should all be more humble and less judgemental of eachother’s choices

over_clox OP ,

I’m not exactly sure how to interpret all this, except I think you have a decent trustworthy soul, and care about others.

CorruptedArk ,

Yeah, I try to every day

Some days are harder than others, I ain’t perfect, I’ve caused probably as much harm as good, but I try my best

over_clox OP ,

I think you need a digital hug 🤗

overcast5348 ,

“I shouldn’t give them money because drugs”

I have a roof over my head, eat thrice a day, and have a loving family. Yet there are days when I want to drown myself in alcohol or weed. Who am I to judge a homeless person if they choose to do drugs and forget their suffering for a little while?

I always give money, if anything, to the few of them in my neighborhood. Whether it’s food , clothes, drugs or something else - they know what they need better than I know it.

Triasha ,

I wouldn’t feel safe letting a stranger in to shower. My wife would be very upset with me.

They could have a bottle of water and a sandwich.

over_clox OP ,

Totally understandable, every situation is different. But what if you made a compromise, especially given the hotter than average weather lately, and gave the person a splash of shampoo and let him/her wash their hair with your garden hose in the back yard or something?

AngryCommieKender ,

I’d offer them the hose and privacy of the backyard at least. They could even use the warm collected rainwater if they wanted, I just would also get in trouble with my housemates if I did that.

Dipbeneaththelasers ,

I have a lot of unhoused neighbors so I regularly leave out fresh socks, a pair of gloves here and there, basic toiletries, and food for their pets. If one came to my door I’d be happy to try giving a haircut, but no refunds.

brygphilomena ,

My brother was homeless from addiction.

I’d give food and water; if they wanted to wash up I have a hose and would bring them soap and shampoo. Unfortunately, I’ve been burned with shit disappearing from when my brother was addicted, so I probably wouldn’t let them in the house.

Themadbeagle ,

Had a dude come around in my neighborhood a few times. It was the middle of the summer and it can get above 100 where I live. Gave him pbj and some water because if was all I had at the time. He only asked for food and water. Haven’t seen him in a year now though.

BCsven ,

My mind initially skipped the p in pbj and it altered the story significantly

over_clox OP , (edited )

I hope the fella is doing okay these days. Thank you on his/her behalf for helping them in a brief time of need. Even if that’s all you could do, at least it’s something.

People like you help me restore a few points in faith in humanity. 👍

SeattleRain ,

I’d close the door on him then call the police. Y’all can virtue signal all you want but these homeless people can have mental illnesses and be dangerous.

over_clox OP ,

The police can be mental and dangerous themselves, what’s ya point?

SeattleRain ,

I’m not in danger. And sometimes cities like mine have special homeless units that aren’t cops.

todd_bonzalez ,

I’m trying to imagine, as someone who also lives in Seattle, how fucking terrified you must be if you feel compelled to call the cops on every homeless person you see.

They know your by name down at the station don’t they, lmao.

ACAB includes the weirdo neighborhood watch guy.

CanadaPlus ,

Yeah, this one is over the top.

over_clox OP ,

My late father would employ homeless people to rebuild wrecked motor homes. And amazingly enough, this tactic tended to work fairly well.

They weren’t allowed inside our house, except certain hours of the day in the evening. They were even welcome to drink some beer with us and shoot the shit during the later evening hours, just as long as they kept up work on the wrecked motorhome, which is where they slept.

I think they lived there while repairing it for like 6 months, and they were generally honest and legit. Never once stole a thing, they were just glad to have a place to stay during that time.

todd_bonzalez ,

It’s one thing to ask him to leave and close the door. But call the police? You need to touch some fucking grass. If anything you’d deserve a charge of filling a false police report for calling the cops because a guy asked you for a sandwich.

At least you aren’t afraid to tell everyone what a miserable snitch you are. Anyone I knew IRL said something this deranged and they’d be on the class traitor list for life.

scytale ,

I can certainly give them food and water, but sorry I’m not trusting enough to let a stranger in my house.

over_clox OP ,

I never said I let him in the house, I trimmed him up on the back porch.

Dude was old and all his belongings were in a single backpack, pretty sure that even if I had let him inside, he wouldn’t have stolen anything.

Like seriously, where’s he even gonna put stuff? Homeless people don’t tend to have much space for extra stuff…

LesserAbe ,

Good for you to help someone, genuinely. It’s a little weird you asked a question and then once people answer you try to debate them.

Some homeless people steal. Not saying as a group they all do, but I don’t know which category this stranger falls in. Once inside my house they know the layout and perhaps see things that would be of interest to come back later to steal. Of more concern is I don’t know the mental health of this individual, and I’m less concerned about theft than my family’s safety.

curiousaur ,

Honestly it’s a bad idea. Might be fine, might not be. Not worth the risk. Some unhoused folks are addicts or mentally ill. People tend to return to places that become familiar. The might come back again. Maybe to rob you.

I’m speaking from experience. I gave a guy a place to live to try to get back on his feet, in exchange for some work. Realized he’s a severe addict and couldn’t get rid of him. Then I look like the asshole for putting him back on the street.

rozodru ,

as someone who was homeless I’d let them in to take a shower and trim themselves up. If they’re an addict or mentally ill then no, i’d direct them somewehre else. I’ve had way too many bad interactions with both, especially addicts. If it was a homeless person who was sober and mentally sound? yeah i’d provide help because I know that programs and resources don’t exist for them they’re tailored for the addicts and mentally ill. Hell i’d even offer my couch. But addicts know the system and they’re only going to your door to rip you off. and the mentally ill don’t even know they’re homeless so they wouldn’t be knocking and asking for help anyways.

TheBigBrother ,

I usually buy a meal for a homeless drug addict who sometimes it’s asking for some coins in a near mall, I don’t like to give him money straight cos I know he will buy drugs with it, I prefer to buy him something to eat.

Where I am there is not so much homeless people there is just poor people who asks for coins so no beard issue but I definitely like to give them something to eat instead of money for drugs.

over_clox OP ,

Agreed, if you already know the person has bad habits, then definitely don’t support those habits.

But hey, occasional help with the basics never hurts. Everyone needs food and water occasionally at bare minimum, plus many people forget they also need occasional help with hygiene.

It’s not like they want to be dirty, they just don’t tend to have regular access to facilities to bathe, shave, or wash their clothes…

But yeah, I ain’t about to just hand them money. If I’m gonna help, I’m gonna help. I can’t do much, but I do what I can when I feel I should.

reversebananimals ,

Wow you’re a woke globalist. /S

Everyone should really check this piece of shits post history

LifeOfChance ,

Homeless or rich it doesn’t matter I just don’t trust people anymore. With that said though I will happily help guide them to resources and donate to shelters fairly often. I have some bad history with strangers so even though I’ve tried working through it there doesn’t seem to be much change.

You doing what you did is awesome and I bet really helped that guy with more than just a shave.

p5yk0t1km1r4ge ,
@p5yk0t1km1r4ge@lemmy.world avatar

Given how I don’t let anybody homeless or otherwise in my house if I don’t know them, I’ll probably give them food and water

BaroqueInMind ,

Warn them that they are trespassing, call the cops, and then wait hours for one to arrive and either remove the filth or shoot it since it would take a high level of mental illness and/or nefarious motives to approach a strangers home and demand shit.

LesserAbe ,

Woah dude. I’m with everyone else saying they’re not letting a stranger in their house. Calling them filth and talking about shooting them is psycho shit

BaroqueInMind ,

I’m not shooting anyone, the cops are.

can ,

Like they said, psycho

frauddogg , (edited )
@frauddogg@lemmygrad.ml avatar

“Lemme just call the local lynch mob”-assed cracker istg you STAY finding ways to abjectly disgust me and wish for the collapse of our society. YIMBY-assed cracker istg.

can ,

He’s a psycho, I’ve already tagged him as such.

frauddogg ,
@frauddogg@lemmygrad.ml avatar

Another bloodthirsty ghoul hit from BaroqueInMind of seven different modlog pages…

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