Pandhandling inside wal mart

I went to Wal-mart this afternoon to get a few groceries. As I was checking out the hamburger buns a woman came up right next to me and asked me how I am doing and how my wife has been. (just to let you all know I have been divorced over 23 years). I turned and looked at her and knew right off A) I have no clue who the heck she is and B) She's about to hit me up for money. I say to her I have been divorced for 20 years. (Thinking to myself 'Why am I telling her that). So goes on to tell me that she has a friend that works there but is not working today and if I could.... And before shes could finish her statement I tell her I am paying by credit card and have no cash on me. She says thanks anyway and walks away.


After she left I got to thinking that this was the exact same woman who tried to hit me up for cash 6-8 months ago in the same Wal-mart.


I went and found one of the assistant store managers and told her, And gave her a pretty good description of the woman. I went over to talk to a friend of mine who works in the jewelry dept. As I walked up to the counter she was ringing up another customer and I over heard what he was telling her. I ask him if someone had just asked him for money and he said yes. I described the woman who had just spoken to me and he said yes.

So folks here is her description: She is about 5'5" jet black hair about shoulder length. Today she had it in a pony tail. A bit de-sheveled. Black rectangular glasses (as black as her hair). Kind of attractive. Today she was wearing blue shorts with white strips and a white top with straps and no sleeves.


I know times are tough but.....

 

Which walmart?

 

Well, Rocky at least you apparently get the pretty panhandlers...

 

The Wal-Mart on 70 in Clayton

 

I was trying to be polite....and well............................ its been a while

 

I used to never give to to beggers. I felt they were only going to get high or drunk with the money. Then one day I heard an interview with a business man back in WV (Charleston) who fed the homeless every Holiday and ran a free hotel for the homeless. He was known never to turn away a begger who asked him for money. He was asked why he gave to these beggers knowing they would probably just use it for drugs. He said "It helps my soul to to give to these people, it's up to the individual to do whats right with it". I know can never turn away a begger, even if its just a dollar.

 

Maybe Panhandler was a bad name to call her. I think maybe she was more of a Flim Flam artist.

 

just tell Steve to leave you alone....worked for me

 

that's not right. I expected a joke about Steve in drag, but Sherry hasn't even been around lately with her family stuff so its not cool to crack on her.

 

oops

 

<3

 

help me out..what does that mean?

 

You did good! It is a heart!

 

it means he is a socialist

 

Thank you.

 

It's not too much different than when the gauntlet of fund raisers is set up outside the door at Walmart. One more reason I choose Target.

 

I, for one, don't really mind the fundraiser set at the doors of Wal-Mart. Some of them are worthy causes that wouldn't get the same attention otherwise. Also, when it comes to kids its a lot safer than going door-to-door and not as intrusive. Plus, everyone has the option to walk in or out without contributing as they see fit.

That said, I still agree with you Don't Care...I like Target better, too. Still, I engage in the same Wal-Mart ritual that many others partake in on a weekly basis.

 

As much as I feel bad when people ask for money, I almost never give it. I lived in Philly for too long and saw too many people panhandling just because it was easier than working or just because they could. I've never met a valid charity that I wasn't willing to write a check to or donate some time to, but for individuals I tend to just say I'm sorry and keep on walking. There was one homeless man in Philly that I bought lunch for every day, and dinner too if I could find him, but he was the exception.

I would have done the same thing as the OP and reported her to store management. And I may have mentioned to her that the Walmart on 42 is hiring

 

Yeah I know - I don't mind the Girl Scouts, Little Leagues, etc if it's for kids.

But I'm mad at Walmart. They took out the self check out scanners so now I can't hide my Bologna under my Grass Seed anymore.

 

You know, though, having never been homeless thankfully, I can only imagine how difficult it may become to actually acquire some jobs. Likely those that do probably have had their credit ruined (maybe simply due to unfortuate circumstances), may have a physical or psychological condition that makes finding a job difficult or impossible, especially so if they have no insurance. I could see such misfortune being comparable to a snowball effect.

Now, that isn't to say that MANY panhandlers are just those as Crysta has stated. Problem is you don't always know. Of course, if you see the same people day in and day out, it may be just an act. One little thing my wife noticed awhile back was sometimes you'll see a "disabled" vehicle within about a quarter mile or so of a interchange popular with panhandlers. I guess the theory there is that they drive to "work" and hang a white cloth from their door handle or out the window while they panhandle and then drive away at the end of the day.

I've seen some people that you know must have a hard time working such as amputees or those obviously deformed. I know a guy that is obviously crippled and mental inept. He attempts to wash people's windshields in a parking lot for a couple of bucks and you can tell that its no act. Really when it comes to offering help to some people, you have to let your heart be a guide. Often you can tell those who are truly in need to those who rather not work for a living.