I have to confess that I have given to panhandlers. Not all, but if I have a gut feeling this person nees help I will give to them.

In San Juan PR I was in the mountains and stopped at a Mcdonalds for lunch. This older fellow approaches me and starts talking really fast in spanish and rubbing his tummy. I figured out he was telling me he was hungry, so I gave him $3.00. I was thinking he may end up spending it on booze, but thought it also could help him out.

I went into Mcdonalds and he got in line behind me. Used my $3.00 to buy a Big Mac then I watched him eat it in about two bites like it was the first meal he had had in weeks. That made me feel good.

I was in New York City and a panhandler was on the street with a hat. I dug into my pocket and threw my change into his hat. He took the change out and threw it in the sidewalk and made some comment he only accepted bills!!!! I made it a point to pick up every coin and put them back into my pocket and told him he may be there on the street for a long time.

So like everything else it just depends on the situation.