This happened in the United States. I'm talking about donating to local shelters, which desperately need the money to provide beds and clothes to the homeless, but they also require you to be sober while staying there. I don't know how many cents on the dollar, but considering these are small local organizations with specific goals, I bet it is more than $0.05. Yes, all of that $1 would go to the woman on the street, but how much would it help her find a job or home or mental health counseling?

I've never been homeless for long periods of time, but I did spend a week sleeping rough in Chicago (winter) when I was 19, no money, no home, and just some clothes in a cheap sports bag. Eventually a friend of mine saw me and brought me to stay with him. I had been too proud to admit my situation, so nobody knew. Also, when I was in my teens, I hung out with a lot of the homeless crust punks. My experiences taught me that many homeless in the US are mentally ill or drug addicts. They need a lot of attention and help, but giving them money will almost never act as a positive force in their lives. They need to seek out the organizations, however underfunded they are, so they can learn the skills necessary to find employment. Some are clearly not capable of working though.

I'm not lacking sensitivity to the issue, but all my personal experience has taught me that giving directly to homeless is a bad idea.

Oh, and addressing your drugs comment - I totally get it. I love drugs! But they won't help you find a job. I don't judge their desire to use, but I don't think it will help them either.

MekongMouse wrote:My experiences taught me that many homeless in the US are mentally ill or drug addicts. They need a lot of attention and help, but giving them money will almost never act as a positive force in their lives. They need to seek out the organizations, however underfunded they are, so they can learn the skills necessary to find employment. Some are clearly not capable of working though.

I'm not lacking sensitivity to the issue, but all my personal experience has taught me that giving directly to homeless is a bad idea.

I do agree with your idea. I think homeless in Cambodia is not very different from in United States, they need skills to get a job.

MekongMouse wrote:I saw a gorgeous woman begging the other day. She wasn't only naturally beautiful, but her hair and face were made up, but her clothes were ratty. I just didn't know what to make of it. Where'd she get the makeup? And why weren't there clothes to go with it? I was tempted to offer her $1....

I would have offered her 10 bucks for a blow job.

Gaudente wrote:

MekongMouse wrote:I saw a gorgeous woman begging the other day. She wasn't only naturally beautiful, but her hair and face were made up, but her clothes were ratty. I just didn't know what to make of it. Where'd she get the makeup? And why weren't there clothes to go with it? I was tempted to offer her $1....

I would have offered her 10 bucks for a blow job. opcorn:

I imagine that offer has been presented many times. If she was willing to go down that road, she'd have gone down it already.

MekongMouse wrote: I prefer giving money to registered and vetted charities over random people on the street. You never know if you're feeding a drug addiction or helping them get back on their feet.

Instead when giving to NGOs you can be sure your money will be used for their gas guzzlings SUVs and extravagant lifestyles

MekongMouse wrote:

Gaudente wrote:

MekongMouse wrote:I saw a gorgeous woman begging the other day. She wasn't only naturally beautiful, but her hair and face were made up, but her clothes were ratty. I just didn't know what to make of it. Where'd she get the makeup? And why weren't there clothes to go with it? I was tempted to offer her $1....

I would have offered her 10 bucks for a blow job. opcorn:

I imagine that offer has been presented many times. If she was willing to go down that road, she'd have gone down it already.

she went down for sure, but later realized that there are so many suckers willing to charity a buck that she could well save the effort of giving blow jobs.

Gaudente wrote:

MekongMouse wrote: I prefer giving money to registered and vetted charities over random people on the street. You never know if you're feeding a drug addiction or helping them get back on their feet.

Instead when giving to NGOs you can be sure your money will be used for their gas guzzlings SUVs and extravagant lifestyles

The only Cambodian charity I've ever given to is CCF and that is because their efficiency has been audited by Charity Navigator. I agree that there are loads of corrupt NGOs in Cambodia.

Gaudente wrote:

MekongMouse wrote:

Gaudente wrote:

MekongMouse wrote:I saw a gorgeous woman begging the other day. She wasn't only naturally beautiful, but her hair and face were made up, but her clothes were ratty. I just didn't know what to make of it. Where'd she get the makeup? And why weren't there clothes to go with it? I was tempted to offer her $1....

I would have offered her 10 bucks for a blow job. opcorn:

I imagine that offer has been presented many times. If she was willing to go down that road, she'd have gone down it already.

she went down for sure, but later realized that there are so many suckers willing to charity a buck that she could well save the effort of giving blow jobs.

The dollar wouldn't have been for charity. If I had given it, it would have been for her to pose with the sign.

prahkeitouj wrote:

MekongMouse wrote:My experiences taught me that many homeless in the US are mentally ill or drug addicts. They need a lot of attention and help, but giving them money will almost never act as a positive force in their lives. They need to seek out the organizations, however underfunded they are, so they can learn the skills necessary to find employment. Some are clearly not capable of working though.

I'm not lacking sensitivity to the issue, but all my personal experience has taught me that giving directly to homeless is a bad idea.

I do agree with your idea. I think homeless in Cambodia is not very different from in United States, they need skills to get a job.

Just reading your words, I'd have to say you are smarter than 99% of your fellow citizens.