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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?

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…

Vanth , (edited )
@Vanth@reddthat.com avatar

deleted_by_author

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    fine_sandy_bottom ,

    100% this.

    I was a volunteer treasurer at a youth homeless shelter.

    Sadly, it’s not possible to evaluate someone’s intentions when they knock on your door and ask for a sandwich. They might truly just want a sandwich, or they might have other intentions entirely.

    over_clox OP ,

    It’s not typically the person that knocks that you gotta worry about, it’s the person that doesn’t knock that you really gotta worry about.

    ColeSloth ,

    That’s not very true, unfortunately. Knocking allows someone to somewhat figure out if anyone is home, allows a person to gauge who is home (a man or a woman) and how easily the knocker can gauge overtaking them. Breaking in means the homeowner may have time to get a weapon and means the knocker will have to search for anyone home.

    Getting them to come up to the door and see if they’re armed makes it easy if a person is looking for a victim. People just breaking in are usually hoping no one is home and just wants to rob the place.

    over_clox OP ,

    I guess it partly depends how far out in the woods you live. The dogs will announce an intruder before they even get 100 feet close to your home, and I had my cats trained to knock on the door knocker, when they weren’t out eating rats anyways…

    Vanth , (edited )
    @Vanth@reddthat.com avatar

    deleted_by_author

    •
    over_clox OP ,

    You should never assume any stranger is safe. But take each person’s situation separately, some struggling people are actually legitimately honest.

    Vanth , (edited )
    @Vanth@reddthat.com avatar

    deleted_by_author

    •
    over_clox OP ,

    Honestly, the fella I helped didn’t even knock on my door, I knocked on his ‘door’, while he was resting at a local bus stop.

    I had already known the fella for a few months in passing on my bicycle rides. I realized he was a good decent honest person, but he needed a haircut and beard trim.

    Well, I happened to have trimmers, and figured that was the least I could do to try to help him out. That, and a pizza and a beer, just because…

    Edit: Yes, I went out of my way to help this particular fella, he didn’t actually knock on my door. But, what if it was 120⁰F outside, and some stranger knocked on your door asking for help?..

    over_clox OP ,

    Our local cities have been shutting down homeless assistance and food banks. Even the churches aren’t allowed to help anymore… ☹️😭

    stopit ,
    @stopit@lemmy.ml avatar

    The food and water part, no problem. Strangers in my apartment is a hard no! Sorry.

    Akasazh ,
    @Akasazh@feddit.nl avatar

    Nice try, you filthy Hobo!

    atro_city ,

    If I had time, I'd maybe tell the dude to wait outside, then get my loafers, walk with him to the shop and buy a meal. Strangers in my house? No thank you. Good way to get robbed in my neighborhood.

    There are free showers and halfway houses around here, so getting shower wouldn't be a reason to knock on the door, I think.

    Optimally, we should be housing everybody as its been proven time and time again how much cheaper it is than leaving people homeless. It's what I vote for every time, but somehow people are just too selfish.

    Redredme ,

    Hell no.

    Are you u all living in rosy mc Rosewood Santa’s little safe harbour everything is fine and dandy rainbow world? Or are you all lying through your teeth?

    Letting someone in your home with clearly visible psychological issues, in your circle of trust, filled with those you hold most dearly and packed with your dearest memories, that place… And then letting someone in you know nothing about?

    Hell fucking no.

    In the real world letting some rando homeless dude in your home has a 50/50 chance of ending up in crazy town. There is a high probability that you, yours or your stuff get fucked up. I cannot and will not accept those odds. Even a 2% chance of shit happening is a risk I’m unwilling to take when it comes to my kids.

    Would I help him? Maybe. It depends on some factors (like can I at that specific time, did I help him out earlier, do I have cash on hand) Would I let him in? No f-ing way.

    So real answer: money: maybe, eat & drink: anytime. Clothes: I’ve got some you can have, no problem. Bath and clean: nope. Never.

    M500 ,

    This is my thought as well. Even if things go well this time, who’s to say they will not feel entitled to come back. Maybe with or without your knowledge.

    I’d send them away otherwise I might start getting a regular visitor to my house asking for stuff.

    In public, I’m happy to give money or food.

    EABOD25 , (edited )

    While I do agree with you. Your wording could be a little bit better. You seem like a glass half empty kind of person, and I can respect that. However your statement makes it seem like all homeless people have some kind of dangerous psychological issues, and that is a wild accusation. Mental health problems come in all shapes and sizes

    Haui ,
    @Haui@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

    As someone with diagnosed mental health issues, I can tell you that I mean no harm. But sadly, the pure difference in perception paired with unfamiliarity of the two parties makes the situation insanely dangerous, not the person.

    You never know why the person is in this predicament and if they have a tendency towards violence, robbery or other things. I‘m not saying they are. I‘m saying you have to assume they are before making that decision. Can you defend yourself against a pulled knife or even gun, do you have enough mental capacity to observe them at all times. Those odds do not look good.

    So, although I would never willingly look down on folks less fortunate than myself. I too will never ever let a stranger into my house if they raise any concerns.

    EABOD25 ,

    Very better wording. Sorry if I was seeming like a dick. I’ve always had the view that people generally mean no harm, but might have articulated it in the wrong way. I’m definitely trying to work on that with myself as well. I also have mental health issues, and I was homeless for a good 2 years of my life, and would have been longer if a person didn’t invite a scruffy person into their home and show them goodness and ask for nothing in return.

    After I typed that, I had to think about it for a bit. I was probably one of the few lucky ones. I’ve had the experience working in movie theaters, and I’ve encountered many homeless and have had good and bad experiences. The bad is more memorable (which probably says more about human nature rather than social conception at this point), but had many great experiences with homeless people. I have stories, but I’ll save them for the sake of typing a shit ton lol.

    TL;DR: I like the cut of your jib, you seem very intelligent, and have good points. However, I still believe the whole argument comes down to pessimis vs optimism. I’m a very long winded person, so tldr are hard for me

    over_clox OP ,

    “if they raise any concerns”

    Yes indeed, those words sum it up pretty well. Everybody is different. Every situation is different.

    Everyone deserves a chance though, with caution of course…

    Ledivin ,

    However your statement makes it seem like all homeless people have some kind of dangerous psychological issues, and that is a wild accusation.

    He never said anything like this, and specifically called out pretty low probabilities throughout his comment.

    EABOD25 ,

    I hate linking comments. Sorry, but it took me a bit to type all of that up. So I beg your pardon

    lemm.ee/comment/13208280

    over_clox OP ,

    Thank you for your opinion, every individual is different. Homeless does not inherently equate to psychological issues nor drug addiction.

    Sometimes people just had their house destroyed from a hurricane or tornado or whatever, and insurance done fucked them over, if they even had proper insurance in the first place.

    Sorry you’re getting downvoted, but you got my upvote. Thank you for having enough of a mind and soul to care. 🤗👍

    shinigamiookamiryuu ,

    I’m not a hairdresser and wouldn’t have confidence trimming a guy’s beard. Other than that, I’d let him in, get to know him a little, maybe give him a salad with water, and yeah the shower would be on the house, you think I’d charge for a scent cleanse using Earth’s most abundant resource? I just hope he brought clothes, unless he doesn’t mind wearing women’s clothes.

    can ,

    Man, I’m so glad I already tagged you as a PoS

    over_clox OP ,

    Meh, I just put the 3/8" guard on the clippers and simply trimmed him down. Easy enough when you’re not going for any style at all except short hair.

    tobogganablaze ,

    Can’t hear knocking on the door from the living room and my doorbell is disabled most of the time. So unless people notfify me of their visit there is a good chance I just won’t open the door at all.

    Also there is a big construction site in front of my house right now, so I’m wearing noise canceling headphone most of the time. And with those I hardly even hear the doorbell when it’s on.

    random_character_a , (edited )
    @random_character_a@lemmy.world avatar

    There are some cultural differences here that affects the equation. If homelessness is taken care of that doesn’t mean there are no people on the streets. There will however be a a certain “enrichment” in what type of people are there.

    Our constitution demands that everyone must have a life worth human dignity. If somebody looses everything, gouvernment provides housing and funds for minimum standards of living.

    So for that reason, only ones that are on the streets are the ones who can’t/won’t take care of themselves, even if these things are given to then, but are not so far gone they could be institutionalized. Everyone is still free to get hammered and be on the streets.

    Very often these people have long history on substance abuse and have degraded to a level of a child. Police often picks them up, so they can be washed, because they often soil themselves. They are not dangerous, because then they would be institutionalized, but they are very smelly and often vocally abusive.

    Would I open my door to these people? No.

    I would give then food and water if needed, but these are not things they ask for.

    communism ,
    @communism@lemmy.ml avatar

    Give him food and water. I guess I can try trim his beard with scissors if he wants. And I would try to facilitate the bath. I know people don’t want to let random homeless people into their houses because they’re worried about theft, but it is so hard to get a shower or bath if you’re street homeless, and besides, if he steals something from me, clearly he needs it a lot more than me. I don’t have anything too valuable in my bathroom anyway so if he wants to nick some toothpaste let him.

    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.

    foggy ,

    Get in my car with him to bring him to get those things.

    I suck at keeping a home ready for such an encounter.

    AceFuzzLord ,

    Had something similar in 2020 happen. Things happened and it ended with him and my mom getting into a heated argument as to why he can’t get help from police or some other resources (which I can’t remember). Ended with my mom pretty much telling the guy not to return.

    He played the part of a nice person, but in the end he was trouble. So I think my answer to this would probably be not to trust them.

    over_clox OP ,

    Oh, indeed, never fully trust any stranger. But do be willing to give people a helping hand, and sometimes a cautious chance.

    I’ve even met a homeless woman that took care of my friend’s car when he fucked up and got arrested LOL! No joke, this woman was legit. She didn’t exactly know where to take the car, and it took us like 2 days to find her, while my buddy was still locked up, but she never left town and we found her at the local McDonald’s.

    She was quite honest and decent about it too, apparently my buddy told her to take it, so it wouldn’t get impounded. So, even though she was homeless and all, she still had honor and decency. And yes, we returned his car back where he was staying.

    We still see the lady around here and there, seems she bounces from place to place and occasionally finds work. She might be homeless from time to time, but she’s genuinely honest and does what she can.

    southsamurai ,
    @southsamurai@sh.itjust.works avatar

    Fix him a sandwich, get him some water, and tell him I don’t let strangers in my house.

    I’ve done just that, twice in the twenty odd years I’ve owned it. Before that, my dad owned it and had different rules about who had access to resources, so I would have followed his, if it had arisen.

    But! I would offer to bring my spare trimmer and hook him up on the porch, or a shave if he wanted. That used to be part of my job, and I miss the hell out of personal care. I’d also offer to let him use a mirror instead though.

    I’m hard core about no strangers in the house, period, ever. Don’t care why they want in, don’t care who they are, if I haven’t said it’s okay, nobody comes in. Hell, there’s people we know that aren’t allowed in. I’ve got one cousin in particular that will get his ass beat again if he shows up. But someone we don’t know, that I haven’t vetted? Hellll no.

    Shit, I’d rent a motel room for a homeless person before I’d let the cleanest, best dressed stranger in my house, and I’m on a fixed income.

    But, I’m actually known to be a soft touch for food and beverage. It’s a thing. If I know you well enough to let you in, you will never go hungry at my house. If I don’t know you well enough to invite you in, I still won’t let you go hungry or thirsty, but I’ll ask you to move along with the supplies. I’d have to have my family be starving before I’d refuse basic food and water to someone.

    dwindling7373 ,

    Not the hero we deserve nor the one we need.

    0_0j ,
    @0_0j@lemmy.world avatar

    I’ve got one cousin in particular that will get his ass beat again if he shows up.

    Chuck? Is that you?

    southsamurai ,
    @southsamurai@sh.itjust.works avatar

    Sorry, but no.

    lud ,

    I’m curious what you mean by fixed income.

    Do you mean a non hourly salary? Is that is what you mean, why does it matter?

    southsamurai ,
    @southsamurai@sh.itjust.works avatar

    Fixed income is a general term for someone that can’t change their income because it is provided by a social safely net. In my case, that’s the US disability system, SSDI in specific. You get a monthly income and that’s that. There is some wiggle room for other income, but if most of the people on SSDI could do enough work for that, they wouldn’t qualify for SSDI in the first place.

    But it also refers to retired people on social security, and sometimes even people that get income from a pension.

    In other words, the amount you get is not only “fixed”, there isn’t a way to increase it reliably.

    There in the US, even the maximum SSDI amount you can get is below the poverty line. We’re lucky in that there are three adults on various SS programs, so we do have a little disposable income at the end of the month, but we’re talking maybe twenty or thirty bucks.

    lud ,

    Thanks for explaining.

    I always thought it exclusively meant that someone had retired and were on pension but I doubt there are many if any that old on Lemmy.

    The term doesn’t really exist where I live. Or at least as far as I know.

    southsamurai ,
    @southsamurai@sh.itjust.works avatar

    Yeah, lemmy skews towards middle aged and lower for sure lol

    But, no worries, you asked a genuine question, politely :)

    nickwitha_k ,

    What would you do?

    Sandwich? Nah. We grillin’.

    over_clox OP ,

    Haha, I actually trimmed dude’s hair and beard on my back porch, then we rode our bicycles and I bought us a pizza and a couple beers.

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