Begging rings are the newest scam in my area. For the past few years, there have been an increasing number of 'down and out' folks standing at motor intersections with placards that read 'homeless' or 'have kids' or 'veteran' (that one bugs me the most). At first, I thought it was some kind of research project (as I live in a college town). However, one day I was traveling through various towns within a 50 mile area...and noted that a woman who had been at my local mall one day...was now about 50 miles away. I caught on: they are being dropped off for the day, and moved around. I informed the police...and guess what: the so called 'veteran', this thin, old man, had been picked up and interregated by the local police. Apparently, never served a day in his life, had a record...and after investigating...looks like most of these 'poor folks who are down on their luck'...have records.

So, when I pass them by, I roll down my window and offer them the bottled water I have in my car. After all...standing all day in the sun and the traffic must make one thirsty.

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I hate that when I walk through downtown Toronto I am asked for change every few steps.

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Is that the guy that hung out at the hadley mall parking lot entrance? his sign said 'vietnam veteran. need help.' or something...and I noticed him there every saturday. Even the youngest vietnam vets are at least 50 years old now and this guy looked in his late 30's but with an unkept beard.

there is another group that hangs out under the northampton train overpass. 3 guys and 1 woman all 30-ish and they have a pet dog. they politely ask for change to everyone walking by. I'm thinking...how do they afford to feed the dog?
I go into a local liquor store one day, and there is one of them returning empty beer cans buying a 6-pack, beef jerky, smokes, nip bottles and scratch tickets.

down and out, my ass. these people are lazy partying grifters.

Yup. It just says 'veteran'.

Unlike other countries, I don't think that folks in the USA are used to the idea or the sight of beggars. So...what is the difference between a beggar and a grifter?

Personally, even if it is a con, I have gotten some benefit from these people. It is an opportunity to examine myself via the discomfort I feel.

My wife told me about an instance where a guy was begging for money and from beggging he was making loads of money and driving a benz. Man, if it is that easy I should leave my job and beg. NOT

What is wrong with begging?

'I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.'

Isn't a stranger coming up to you for money, begging? I refer to begging in the sense that yall stated. As far as people pretending to be someone they are not for personal gain or profit.

Is one diminished less by giving to a poor man?

In other words...why does one even give to others? Surely, $1 has little impact in the life of a truly destitute (but of course, deserving) person? If giving is somehow 'harder' to do when the recipient seems unworthy...how much more useful the insights!

hhmm, not sure where you are going. Since my intital statement was about someone making serious loot from going up to strangers and asking for money.

I for one give when I can and have no problem with it. In DC we have our fair share of homeless and people looking for cash on the metro.

Sure one dollar is nothing. But several hundred thousand dollars is huuge. Which could be achievable considering the amount of commuters going in and out of DC daily is about 500K. Or something close to that.

Not sure if you are questions me and my morals or just making a generalized question.

Not questioning you, or your morals. You just got me thinking...in my typical female, off-tangent, roundabout way.