I’m 31F, was homeless for six years (age 17-23) and thought this might be an interesting AMA because I know a lot of people hate beggars.
I used to be one of those people on the sidewalk who held up a sign asking for money. AMA
r/AMA
I’m 31F, was homeless for six years (age 17-23) and thought this might be an interesting AMA because I know a lot of people hate beggars.
Comments
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How did it start? And how did you get out of that situation?
Why did you beg for money i.e. was it because of addiction to drug/alcohol, or what?
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What did the sign say?
What words or phrases worked best on signs or was it more location that helped?
What was a average day take?
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How many people are not homeless and ask for money to cover basic bills like rent?
How did the haters affect you or were you able to shrug it off?
How did you eventually make it through this phase in your life? What was it that finally allowed you to break free?
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How much would you make, and how long did it take?
How well did it work?
Sorry you were dealt such a shitty hand. Nobody deserves that.
How old is your child now? How are you doing?
Did you try getting a job?
Do you think a lot of people are still homeless because of addiction and they dont want help? I know in another comment you said you finally got sober and used the resources available to you to get housing and care. Why don’t all homeless people take advantage of the resources near them?
Some people I know think that all homeless people are addicts and want to be homeless and I dont have any anecdotes from people who actually were homeless to disprove that.
How do you think that experience affected you?
This is so wonderful and you’re clearly an incredibly motivated and compassionate mom. Did you sleep outside? In a shelter? Or did it vary? What kind of items/clothes did you have with you? How did you carry your belongings? What kinds of foods did you eat? What did you do and where did go in your off-hours? Where did you shower and how much did it cost?
Probably a boring question, but what did you call it? I’ve heard “flying a sign”, “spanging”, “panhandling”, depending on who I asked.
How long does a sign last? New one every day?
Did you ever try family friendly gimmicks such as singing, doing card tricks, doing a dance etc rather than just standing and staring?
How much did you make a day?
I don’t carry cash but I do always try to smile and say hello when folks do this outside grocery stores and such because I’m sure people treat you like absolute garbage. Sadly, since I started making this effort, I noticed I was getting followed to my car MUCH more frequently (which got scary after having a baby because of the time spent getting them buckled in and everything). I guess what I’m trying to ask is would it be preferable in your experience for someone to politely engage or to just keep walking? Also I’ve read through your answers and I’m really happy for you and wish you all the best for you and your daughter 🙂
How often would people give you food as opposed to cash? If they gave you food, how’d you feel about that? Seems like you’re suggesting if you weren’t using you were using the money you received to buy food, and it’s something I often wonder about when I see people in this type of situation.
What was going on with your family that you ended up homeless as a teen?
Did anyone ever proposition you?
How did u gotten pregnant ?
Is that guy your husband now ?
Do you still have mental issues right now from time to time?
The reason why I asked this is because my mum had a really bad childhood. She wants to give me a good life but her bipolar disorder will override her, causing her to hit me physically or scream that she wants to die.
I can tell she can’t help it but it is so traumatizing now that I am older. There are times where I want to remove her from my life, but she did help raise me. It is so conflicting.
I’ve always thought to myself “where are these people getting their sharpies from” obviously they were bought or it was given to you by someone. I guess my question would be, how long does a sharpie usually last for you?
Have you suffered from violence in the street? How was the relationship with other homeless people?
Do you find it easier now to not have stuff in your home or do you desire more stuff since you lived without for so long?
Do you think giving actual cash to a person collecting on the street is just enabling their addiction and destructive lifestyle?
I am generally reluctant to give any cash, it feels like I’m just giving them drugs and booze.
Seen in London a German guy (punk gear) sign help a punk get drunk – honest I thought had a chat took a picture and gave some cash
I just wanted to say thank you for bringing this post to reddit, as I have recently gotten out of homelessness after being homeless for 6 years in the Midwest. Addiction and trauma were definite factors as well as domestic violence which is what got me there in the first place. I definitely vibe with your statement in another comment that said people remain homeless because they feel like they are not worthy of being good or having good happen to them.
A lot happens in 6 years but it all seems like such a short time when it’s the monotony of the same struggles and daily life that your brain tries to blur in order to cope with the fact that you’ve spent so long doing that. I’m so glad you and your little one made it out of the life. I’m only 4 months sober and can’t wait to see what life brings now instead of waking up under a bridge dreading the long day of hustling up a few bucks for a pint.
Do you ever get nostalgic for that time, or any parts of that time in your life?
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I volunteer with a rehab facility. What industry do you work in now? Did you ever have a criminal record? I’m thinking of directing some members to community college programs since the rehab facility offers a scholarship, but not sure if that would pay off/be a good option for them. Would this have been a good option for you or people you knew when you were getting back on your feet?
How difficult was it to make eye contact with someone for them to bow their head and avert their eyes?
I feel I do this a lot and it sucks, because I want to help, but usually cannot.
How much did you earn per day
What’s the most someone ever gave you?
Where did you get the permanent marker to write the sign if you didn’t have cash to buy food?
I am one of those people that hate beggers.
Can I borrow some money?
Did you make a lot of money as a sign holder?
how did you manage to get out of the streets? and how is your life now?
We have these folks at every intersection where I live. It’s almost as if they work in shifts.
My theory is that there is a sort of pimp in charge of everyone. He works out the turf and schedules, takes all of the money and pays everyone, minus his cut. What say you?
How did you manage menstruation with use of or without products? I want to know how I can help others since I’ve seen young women just bleeding out on their turf.
What’s the best way to help people in that situation?
Yeah as a homeless person i woke up to a drunk lady throwing rocks at me last night. People are mean especially if you’re a male.
People don’t carry cash anymore. That’s got to be a problem for panhandling, right?
were you part of the gutter punk/traveling kid community?
This is an honest question; what do you think the government could do to help the homeless situation? Particularly in cases similar to yours that involve addiction?
How many people are out there pulling a scam or don’t want money to “get food”? I want to make sure my money goes to someone who actually needs or wants progressive help
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