Austin Panhandlers

[ifanyonecan]

I enjoy the panhandlers because of their personalities. I have given leftover food before whenever I don't want it (It was two leftover wings from Pluckers, and I gave it to a talented violinist.) Usually if they ask me for money, I'll offer to smoke a cigarette with them, and they usually say yes. It's fun to sit and chat over a cigarette. They usually have very interesting outlooks on life, and they're very much "live in the moment" and "don't worry; be happy" types.

It isn't really a problem as I see it. I would prefer a large amount of homeless people to government-mandated welfare. At least you have a choice with homeless people. Nobody makes you give them money. I would much prefer being asked for money every 10 minutes and saying "No" than to have a government make me pay under threat of violence.