I don’t know about you, and I know this probably isn’t going to sit well with some, but panhandlers annoy me.  More than you would ever believe.

Nothing ruins a walk on a nice day more than being asked every hundred metres or so if I can spare some change.  I know these guys probably have a legitimate need, but really, aren’t there better channels for them to get food or whatever from than asking people on the street for money?

Don’t even get me started about the ones that hang out right by the doors to banks trying to catch people that were inside, or the ones that (this happened at work a few nights ago) ask for change from customers at a store, inside, in front of the clerks.  Like really dudes, is trying to get a little bit of change worth risking getting busted for breaking laws?

By far the worst though is the guy (and it’s always the same one) that stands in your way and harasses you for like 2 minutes to try and get you to give him money.  He’ll even beg you to go to the bank machine with him to withdraw money for him.  Maybe it’s me, but does that not sound like attempted robbery?  Isn’t that like a hardcore criminal offense?  And again, is trying to get a little bit of money really worth it?

I don’t necessarily agree with the traditional view that they’re just using the money to buy drugs or booze, nor do I necessarily think laws are required, as much as I dislike the practice of panhandling, but I really don’t think we need to be giving these guys the change directly, because there really and truly are far better ways to get food, clothing and other resources to them, like the Salvation Army, or the Mustard Seed in Calgary.  Some have suggested gift cards, but my big concern with that is that it could cause a panhandler to become really agressive if they really are looking for the change for nefarious reasons.

This isn’t really trying to hate on the less fortunate, but the act of panhandling can be intrusive, disruptive and extremely annoying.