things that ive noticed about this richmond. the people are deffinately distinct. there are pleanty of homeless people to go around, and because i have taken note to observe these wanderers, i have obtained an ability to tell if a begger is acutally homeless and in need of a donation. See, there is a difference. There are people, that i have noticed, that seem to not be in diar need of the money they ask of me. Now i have this fack begger radar, i can just tell when someone's suitation doesn't actually cause for them to ask for spare change. you see, it is widely known around here that people often ask for spare change, for what i don't know, but it is a common occurance. So there are also people who take advantage of this, that just ask for the hell of it, "do you got any change on ya"...or... "i just need 25 cents" and the like. These people just plain dont have anything else to do but gain a few cents here and there, when in fact, they are putting a bad name towards beggars, and might i add, they are taking away from those who are in more need. Now I have recently stoped carrying my wallet around so that i can be completely honest when i say i dont have any change for these people, even though i suspect they dont necessarily need it any more than i do. we all feel bad for these people, but then it just gets annoying that there are these fake beggars and that just spoils the act of giving to any beggar at all. You can just see it in their eyes. I have also noted some techniques that allow you to deter the questioning of beggars of all type. One that i have noticed is that if you make eye contact with this lonely beggar, then they will feel some comfort in you and try to milk it for all its worth. Now i suggest, in order for them to not ask you for change, to not look at them and walk by staring at your feet or on the path ahead. For me though, it is tough not to say a hello or hows it goin, which always returns with the question i was trying to aviod. Another way i have found that works for some, is if you walk with a fast pace, like your going somewhere important, and you can also mumble something impatient or about being late. Another walk that works is a sort of swagger, mimicking the way a homeless person would walk. You see, it is sort of like a code, an unspoken rule or something. If you walk like they do, stumbeling every so often, in a pietous sort of way, then they will leave you to your problems, or imaginary problems, they understand how you feel. Another walk is a good one, short and sweet, just walk with your pant pockets hanging out so it is obvious that you are dead broke, and continue on by the begger. And if you really want to be bold, to make sure they know your broke, you can ask them for any change. I have often thought about doing this, but really i feel it could be taken as a slap in the face, so i would observe caution when using this technique. Those are some good ways that have come to my mind, and there are others which i cant think of right now. Well, now that you know the ways to avoid the begger, you must also try to put yourself in their situation. I just cant help thinking about how i can help anyone in need, and i do feel quite helpless when someone asks for change. I would always want to reply with wanting to buy them lunch asking what it is they need, but they seem to always want money. Seems to me that if i was in that position i would accept anything that will help me to survive, but i have noticed some who will reject food and actually get mad if you offer to buy them. Now there are always people who are happy with anything you can give and i suggest that we just dont walk buy a beggar or anyone in need, at the very least, you can give a smile if there is nothing else you can give.