What would you do? ATM begger

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If she insisted that others have already given her 20s then I wouldn’t feel bad at all.
 
I think you should have asked her why she doesn’t have her own money. She would get frustrated and leave you alone. Just keeping asking, “why?”
 
I just purchased an electronic shield from Amazon ($10) to put on either side of my wallet to protect scammers from electronically reading your credit card. Yes, this is possible, and they stand close to you with a sachel that contains the card screener.

My parish has a St. Vincent de Paul Society to give groceries, etc, to anyone who asks for help. Parishioners donate these items every Thanksgiving, and the collection is very substantial! You might suggest to those who approach you asking for money that they contact their local churches.
 
I’d tell her to leave. That sort of behavior is unsafe, and I wouldn’t trust someone anywhere near the machine while I’m withdrawing from my account. Depending on how she reacts, I might giver her something. I rarely ever give money though, I’m far more likely to buy food.
 
Wait, she said someone already gave her 20? That seems like the weirdest part of this thing to me.
 
semper_catholicus said:
Wait, she said someone already gave her 20? That seems like the weirdest part of this thing to me.
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Yeah, sure they did, and I’m the Pope.

Not related to ATM, but on the general subject of giving money to panhandlers, this article just popped up in my feed. I have spent quite a bit of time driving in Baltimore and you’re best off keeping your windows rolled up because stuff like this is not uncommon.

 
No… Even The Didache said to be picky about who you give alms too. You don’t have to give to everyone literally. Besides, he gave her $2 and she complained and said others have gave her $20. You don’t have to give people complaining about your generosity even more money.
 
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I think you were being prudent. These situations are challenging and I think it’s best to discern them on a case by case basis. For what it’s worth, my opinion is that you did the right thing.
 
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In the area near where I work, there are many homeless people. The general principle endorsed by the city is don’t give to panhandlers directly - you could be supporting an addiction, and it makes the area unsafe by attracting unsavoury characters looking for money. Rather, donate to organizations that support the homeless. There are MANY such organizations in this area. I can think of several off the top of my head.
 
There was a sleeping man in the ATM vestibule I was in Saturday night. He was making noises every time the machine beeped and I was rather worried I was going to have to deal with him. I planned to give him the $2 or $3 in singles I had if he woke up. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to give anymore than that. Archbishop Sheen used to give people $20 bills (a large sum in those days) and the coat off his back, though nowadays with street drugs and whatnot I wonder if things are somewhat different. Of course heroin and booze existed in his day as well.
 
Now, I
m probably a lot larger than you (6’2" before the boots and 200 lbs), but if I felt threatened at the ATM, I wouldn’t just fold the card, but I’d also break it in two so that it couldn’t scan . . .

Insistent begging at an ATM is not the same moral issue as giving to beggars.

I call 911 when encountering particularly aggressive panhandlers, and also for those wandering in traffic lanes (especially when they seem disoriented; far more likely to be run over, and this will put them in contact with the right people).
semper_catholicus said:
Wait, she said someone already gave her 20? That seems like the weirdest part of this thing to me.
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Specifying the amount that someone is “obligated” to give is not the same thing as requesting alms . . .

His_helpmeet said:
Archbishop Sheen used to give people $20 bills (a large sum in those days) and the coat off his back,
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The general principle endorsed by the city is don’t give to panhandlers directly
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Many cities have programs so that you can buy sacks of $5 or whatever fast food gift cards to feed people.

When I need to get a new coat for work (I’m a lawyer; I need a reasonably fresh overcoat without little holes for commercial reason, but they’re still perfectly good), I throw the old one in the back seat and wait until I see someone who needs it.

Similarly, I have to give up suits with plenty of wear left (as soon as they’re is any shine on the elbow) and punch elbow holes in dress shirts (again, I’m 6’2") that still look perfect under a jacket. These go paired (suit and shirt) to Catholic Charities (unless I meet someone who can use them) for interviews. Also, a priest I asked explained that these are also needed to offer dignified burial (the backs of elbows jus don’t show).

hawk
 
Indecently, very old thick wools seem to last forever while new Chinese made junk will need replacement fairly often. If an old unused one can be found in a timeless enough style (it seems new ones are just a copy of them anyways) it’s probably worth acquiring. My herringbone overcoat was made in Czechoslovakia so it’s probably older than me.
 
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I would have been afraid I was going to be mugged and taken my card out and walked away. Also there is no way on earth I could afford to give someone £20 (if that is the equivalent of the dollars), that is a fortune to me. I do understand your predicament though. It is very difficult to decide what to do with beggars. I try to let the Holy spirit guide me as really we can never know what is right in every situation, we’d always only be guessing. Logic dictates we can’t give to everyone, especially if we aren’t wealthy ourselves but even if we were, there are hundreds and hundreds of beggars in cities and then there is also charities asking for money, especially in this season. But then in the same instance we are Christians and we do want to help, but we dont have to give money to everyone in order to help. We can volunteer our time and we can certainly pray for everyone as they all need our prayers. I feel called to give money to some sometimes and other times not and try to follow that, I believe it is the Holy Spirit guiding me and I do my best to follow. I also volunteer to the best of my ability.

I think you feeling reluctant to give her the 20 was probably your nudge not to, but really only you can tell if it was fear, pride, guilt or your own angel warning system. Trust in God I’d say, but either way pray for her.
 
Offer to buy a meal. Never give cash. It may make you feel good but you could (quite likely) be feeding someone’s addiction.
As for her behavior, aggressive panhandling is a crime in many places. If the ATM is on bank property, or any other place doing business, she could be hit with trespassing or even disorderly conduct.
If this happens again, kindly offer to purchase food for her. If she refuses, leave. If she tries to corner you or hassle you, call ther police.
 
Do NOT go to that ATM. Seriously, the police will get him to a shelter.
 
On the one hand: “feed the hungry”. Christians are under orders from God to help the poor.

On the other hand that does not mean we are obligated to give to every person who asks.
It does not mean we are obligated to give the amount someone asks for.
It does not mean we’re forbidden to take precautions against being mugged.

So: to the OP. No, you didn’t have to give her anything. If you did give you didn’t have to give as much as she wanted. Nor are you expected to let her get a chance at seeing your PIN.

So you did the right thing.
 
Many department stores, supermarkets, and fast food restaurants these days ask for donations when you put in your card. I think that’s a much better way of giving. I also have the Camp Fire victims in my area.
I never give out money on the street. The safety concerns are obvious. Don’t even pull out your wallet. And don’t feel guilty about it–give to reputable charities, not street hustlers.
 
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