9 April 2012

How not to panhandle in Garema Place (or anywhere else).

| JessP
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Had the unfortunate pleasure of being approached by a bourbon and coke carrying drunk member of the panhandling community this afternoon in Garema Place looking for cash.

When I declined with a sorry no and continued walking he started throwing abuse in a LOUD voice (along the lines of ‘you f*&*&*g b%$#h c!@t etc). He continued this loud abuse for 30 or so seconds and then approached the next group of people walking through Garema – with a similar outcome.

If you want to panhandle:

1. Dont hold a can of Jimmy and Coke whilst doing it

2. Dont abuse the person who declines, just move onto your next victim.

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JazzyJess said :

molongloid said :

Bloke swigging a long neck of Melbourne Bitter while selling The Big Issue at Dickson shops today. doesn’t really jibe with http://www.bigissue.org.au/the-vendors/meet-our-vendors/

I saw him too! He first accosted me then my 6 year old. What 6 year old has $5 on him? Also, he verbally abused the next people who declined his charmless offer. It’s a shame because I love the Big Issue and usually buy it or at least make a donation to the vendor but not this scuzz bag.

I think you will find he is outside the view of the normal Big Issue vendors. This guy is definitely not someone who is trying to help himself if that is what he’s doing. I would look at buying from reputable people like Chris (the guy in the wheelchair) and others.

molongloid said :

Bloke swigging a long neck of Melbourne Bitter while selling The Big Issue at Dickson shops today. doesn’t really jibe with http://www.bigissue.org.au/the-vendors/meet-our-vendors/

I saw him too! He first accosted me then my 6 year old. What 6 year old has $5 on him? Also, he verbally abused the next people who declined his charmless offer. It’s a shame because I love the Big Issue and usually buy it or at least make a donation to the vendor but not this scuzz bag.

There are plenty of people in our community who are genuinely worthy of charity. Woodstock-swilling panhandling scum are not on the list.

I’ve had plenty of similar experiences in Garema and on Bunda St. Although a while back I just decided I’d let them know when their behaviour is unacceptable. Had a woman follow me down Bunda Street saying I MUST have money because I have such fancy clothes. Felt much better to have an argument and make a few points about keeping a job, than just trying to ignore random abuse.

Darkfalz said :

Depending on how safe I feel “I only carry notes” gets a puzzled reaction from some,

“Do you take EFTPOS”, works for me.

Reply

I respect people right to pan handle if they must and I have on occassions given them some coin if I felt the story could be genuine. I prefer to donate to the Salvos to be honest.

The incident occured at about midday and I had my 15 year old son with me. He was a bit shocked by the event.

I did consider the Groucho Marx response…. “so do you have change for a $50? Yes! Well you won’t need the $1 I was going to give you then…”

I find it helpful to remind them that “change comes from within”

Depending on how safe I feel “I only carry notes” gets a puzzled reaction from some, but it’s usually just a shake of the head and a sorry mate. I seem to get pan handled the most near the casino coming home from night shift, not sure why but there’s always some bludger or two in the area early in the morning. I said “sorry, I don’t carry cash” and kept walking with one guy and he kept droning on in a a monotone bogan strine “no need to apologise mate you’re well within your rights to say no and…” as I kept on moving. Just as I was getting out of earshot the next person walked past and got asked for money. What shits me the most is we have one of the most generous welfare systems in the world, which costs us all a bucketload in taxes, and these people still have the nerve to ask people for money.

I never give these guys or girls anything as I know they hang around the bus stations all day asking for money & they pick up a few suckers.

Anyway, JessP what time did this incident occur? I ask this question as 5pm this evening, I spotted a Police van heading towards Garema Place through via the City Bus Station. What caught my eye with this is that the van fitted in between the bollards between the road & pedestrian walkway.

GardeningGirl8:38 pm 09 Apr 12

To the politicians who want to encourage a livelier city centre or encourage more use of public transport, pay attention to stories like this. Outside the mall (yes, the big bad soulless mall) there’s great potential but there’s problems that need attention. (Btw I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I was in the vicinity of the Sydney Building today, what a horrible run-down welcome to the city centre it must be for tourists arriving up Northbourne Avenue.)

pptvb said :

Hahahaha… I had a similar experience in Darling Harbour. A one armed beggar who gave me a MASSIVE gobful because I didn’t hand over any “spare” change.
So, I turned and said ” give me a clap & I’ll give you a dollar!”
This really set him off!
I will usually give a few dollars, if I have it, but I don’t expect abuse if I don’t.

I always find making fun of people’s disabilities to be a rewarding experience.

Bloke swigging a long neck of Melbourne Bitter while selling The Big Issue at Dickson shops today. doesn’t really jibe with http://www.bigissue.org.au/the-vendors/meet-our-vendors/

There’s some simply ways to avoid even been approached. The funny thing is while most beggars take the hint, the chuggers don’t.

If you in the first instance swear or act belligerently, then you’re a tool who’s asking for trouble.

I’ve never found anything more than a “Sorry, No” required.

I remember waiting for a bus and a guy asked me for some change to buy some bread. Gave him $5, he was stoked and exclaimed, ‘Im going to grab a beer as well!’

Geez it made me laugh!

Tetranitrate7:02 pm 09 Apr 12

milkman said :

I had one of the crack-whores who used to frequent Garema Pl ask me for money once when I was on my way to a shop, then the same crack-whore gives me a different story on the way back 10 minutes later. I thanked here for the entertainment value, but suggested that if she was trying to con people that she should have a more solid and consistent story.

Yeah that reminds me of the guy who says ‘my girlfriend was just in a car accident, I need $20 to get a cab to go see her’.
He’s been using the same story for at least 5 years.
(must be one unlucky girlfriend…)

I had one of the crack-whores who used to frequent Garema Pl ask me for money once when I was on my way to a shop, then the same crack-whore gives me a different story on the way back 10 minutes later. I thanked here for the entertainment value, but suggested that if she was trying to con people that she should have a more solid and consistent story.

See what you should have done was called the police general inquiry number and informed them that there was a visibly intoxicated and potentially violent person verbally abusing people in Garema Place.

I think your being a little harsh.

He probably just wanted you to give him the bus fare home so he didn’t have to drive, given his condition and all.

I really don’t think he would have used any donations on buying more grog. Surely not…:-O

Hahahaha… I had a similar experience in Darling Harbour. A one armed beggar who gave me a MASSIVE gobful because I didn’t hand over any “spare” change.
So, I turned and said ” give me a clap & I’ll give you a dollar!”
This really set him off!
I will usually give a few dollars, if I have it, but I don’t expect abuse if I don’t.

This post is providing an excellent service to the panhandling community. It makes me wonder just how many RiotACTors fit into this demographic…

reminds me of the exciting experience i had when I apologised to a man on a bike for not moving over on the path when he brushed past me, only to have him scream abuse at me until he’d ridden away. good times.

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