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What would you do if a scraggly homeless person knocked on your door, and all he asked was for a sandwich, a bottle of water, a bath, and perhaps a beard trim? (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 months ago by over_clox@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I've actually skipped work just to help a homeless guy get his beard trimmed. Bought him pizza too. Kinda hard to get anywhere in life when you look like shit.

Be kind to the homeless, they just need a helping hand here and there.

What would you do?

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[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

We bring food sometimes to the local homeless guy but he doesn't seem to want anything else.

This answer for me would really depend on a lot of factors. I don't want a homeless roommate who won't leave and can't work, don't want a mentally unstable person in the house with my daughters. So random guy probably not. I'd bring him food and a gallon of iced water and say I could not let him in. If it was the guy we know from under the bridge, and husband home, probably would let him shower and give him some of husband's clothes to wear, sure.

But we HAVE had homeless people stay with us for a time if we knew them, quite a few times. Wandering guys who just didn't live anywhere. Couch surfing people.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I've been 'homeless' after my father passed away 10 years ago, after paying 6 years of his land taxes. I've lost roughly 95% of everything I've ever owned, after paying 6 years of land taxes and bills.

I've been through some shit, so I have a kind heart towards others suffering the struggle...

[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I have lived on the streets too. I just don't feel like I can possibly help everyone, if that makes sense. And would question the motive of someone I don't know trying to get into my house.

It's a very complicated problem. Some people are homeless from simple poverty and can climb out with some help, but we know these guys (it was always guys) who just don't fit into society and can't have a regular job or hustle enough to have stuff, but can get by without much, there doesn't seem to be room in this country (USA) for them anymore. Like they have been illegal -ized.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Agreed and understood. It's not possible to help everyone every time. Some days I struggle to help myself, but it is whatever it is.

But if I happen to find it within my means, I might help another person in struggle..