I swear I can't go anywhere

[Akasa]

Without somone asking me for money. I don't know what t-shirt, shorts that are 3 years old and too big for me, and flip flops makes people think I have money to give away, but they sure home in on me. I can't even wait at a bus stop without being bothered.
Picking up my prescriptions? Someone is asking me for money outside the pharmacy.

It's pissing me off, and a lot of times its the same person I've told no I don't carry cash to several times.

[Andara Bledin]

They don't remember you any better than the clerk at the store remembers any of the hundreds of people that goes through their line.

But, yeah, the panhandling in my area has gone up notably in the last few months. Had someone begging in the Costco parking lot on Wednesday.

^-.-^

[Greenday]

You usually don't see it in my area, but I went to my pharmacy and some guy around my age stopped me asking for spare change. I was wearing crappy t-shirt and jeans. He had some really nice clothes on. Are you kidding me?

[Gravekeeper]

Yeah, always annoying to be asked for change by some dude wearing nicer clothes than I'm wearing.

That said, we have a "captive audience" law up here. You can't bum change off people at a location where they can't reasonably leave ( AKA bus stops, on public transit, around ATMs, etc ). So panhandling has really dropped here over the last few years. There's still panhandlers downtown, but they pick a corner and sit down. They're not allowed to follow you or corner you.

[powerboy]

I hate that. I do not usually carry cash on me. If I do, it is usually for me to get gas with. Yeah, but no, I am not going to give you money that I do not have. I have to buy gas. I have to pay bills. I have to feed my family. If I do have coin change on me (which is rare by the way), then I will give it.

[Akasa]

I don't even carry bus fare! I have a pass that I buy every year. I do not carry any cash except for $10 in $1's for my boyfriends bus fare when he rides with me. I get $10 a month in $1's and that's it.

[boringscreenname]

I very rarely carry cash, I just don't use it very much. All of my bills are paid with my debit card online or over the phone, except rent. I pay the rent in cash, but I withdraw the money then take it straight to the rental office, so even that amount of cash isn't on me for very long. Occasionally I have change, a couple $1 bills or a $5 bill on me, but I use those for the vending machines, Subway or Starbucks at work so I don't give that away.

One time someone asked us for money while we were in a Taco Bell parking lot, in the rain, changing a flat tire. Needless to say that guy did not get any money from us.

[Andara Bledin]

I only carry cash 'cause I need it for the shop outside of Costco (those smoothies and wraps are soooo tasty) and for laundry. And it looks like I might have to start carrying some for a local donut shop that has some of the better donuts in the area.

^-.-^

[Dreamstalker]

I carry cash, but use it for important stuff (it's a personal quirk of mine not to use a debit card for anything under $5; a few of the stores I go to have a minimum-purchase requirement for plastic). Yes, I do own a 'designer' purse, but it was a gift. The rest of my wardrobe might only be considered 'designer' if the local surplus store counts.

I noticed a few panhandlers around here will crane their necks to look at a mark's wallet, and adjust their pitch based on how much money they see. Some will also try to block/follow people and there is never a cop around when they pull this.

[blas87]

Ever since my debit card theft, I've been using cash more often, but it's getting to be panhandler season again around here. Joy.

[Sableonblonde]

I never give money to panhandlers...I feel genuinely bad for those who may be so bad off, but I'm afraid if I stop to pull any money or change out, then they will end up robbing me :-( I don't want to publicly announce how much money I have on me, and where I'm carrying that money. Maybe I'm just too paranoid...I don't know.

[Andara Bledin]

You may be paranoid, but that doesn't change the fact that there are people out there who will use that routine to do just what you've described.

When I was younger and far more innocent (read: naive), I would give out money. Now, they get food or drink as I have available (I have been known to buy a $1 burger for panhandlers), but cash is not given.

^-.-^

[bara]

I only carry cash when Im at work or on my way to the bank to deposit my tips in my account. I remember kids going around the highschool lunch room asking for a nickel from people and then trying the 'cmon man its only a nickel' guilt trip.