Avoiding people approaching you for money in public.

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I use this trick that stops most money solicitors in their tracks. When I get a feeling that he's about to approach me asking for money, I pull out my cell phone, and pretend to have a conversation. After saying a few phrases, I blurt out "What! Are you serious? Which hospital is he in?" loud enough for the person to hear me. Sometimes, he steps away with a "I almost put my foot in my mouth" look. For most people (even money solicitors) who have integrity, it's rude to hit up a person for money when his friend/relative/whoever is in the hospital. Other times, they shrug it off with a "eh, whatever" look; but they still leave me alone.

A friend of mine flashes his private investigator badge, and asks, "What seems to be the problem?" Most beggars are aware of the local anti-panhandling ordinances, so when they see that badge, they mumble something incoherent and move away fast. If the beggar has a real problem, then my friend can sometimes help them out, or at least refer them to someone who can.

Always walk with a purpose and with eyes looking up not looking at the ground. I noticed when I am looking at the ground deep in complex Aspie thoughts is when the street beggars come running up to me. When they ask say "Sorry I don't have any money" then walk on. Don't stand still waiting for them to come back with a hateful reply. Just keep walking.

There's been people on tv that state they make $30,000-50,000 a year just by begging. So don't believe everyone panhandling is actually homeless or starving.

I had an interesting encounter. Its a local thing for illegals to try to sell Tamales in parking lots. I was heading into the grocery store when a dirty guy who looked like a tweeker came running up to me with a plastic bag of slimey oozing homemade tamales on a hot July day asking in broken English for $1 per tamale. (Can anyone say food poisoning?) I said "no thanks". He then screamed at me in Spanish which I know just enough of to know he was cussing me out. I replied "Sorry I don't speak Spanish because I'm not Mexican".

I only said that because I knew it would piss him off. I piss a lot of locals off because they think I look Mexican though I am half white half American Indian and they think I should speak their language for some reason.

You mean those people sitting outside the grocery store like gang members and go up to you, get in your face and you to suport their church, child's sports team, etc. I swear I have come so close to punching one in the face. GET OUT OF MY FACE! I rarely go to certian stores at Christmas time becuase the constant bell ringing almost sends me into meltdown mode. Why on earth would I want to donate money to someone who keeps ringing a bell non stop?

ipods are good for this, and if they try to mime some kind of begging gesture, you can just walk past without saying anything.x

I would avoid places/areas where people ask for money if I could.

Unfortunately because of the place/area where I work, I never can, and I have quite a time.

Just checking guys... after imparting all this knowledge which helps avoid the leeches, how would you go about gettign money if you actually were in the situation which they claim?

I've been on the other end of this situation, so I'll just give a different perspective real quick.

It does hurt to be rudely treated when you really need some help. Even the kids panhandling for some beer or whatever are just kids, they're not horrible people. And some of the pandhandlers really do need money for food, a bus ticket etc. But there's no way to know if they're just teenagers with cash to spare trying to scam some other person.

The best thing to do is assess the situation, what they look like etc.

If you don't wanna give them money, be nice. Just say, "Sorry, I can't" or whatever. Be civil. These are people too, they have feelings.

But the rejection stops hurting after a while...

When I was in the situation of spangeing, as we called it (spare chage--sparechange--spange), I would generally just tell the truth. Tell them I needed to get back to NYC, or PA, whichever home I was going to at the time. Or if I needed food I'd tell them that. If it was me and my friends being lowlife's, we usually were straight up about it. I remember once on the corner of Ave A, my friend Greg had a sign that said, "Please help me get drunk." If you're honest about it, people help out more. On the whole "what would you do if you were in that situation" thing.