Suppose you're walking down the street and you're approached by a man who politely asks you for a dollar so he can get something to eat. He doesn't look like a drunk (whatever that means to you). You can spare a dollar without any harm. Would you give him the money? Why or why not?

I have done it, many times.
I see the hungry people every day at work.

If I had it to give, I would. If the person does something else with it or doesn't really even need it....that is their problem to deal with. I would give it with good intentions and I'm in the clear with it

No

I never give to those who beg.

I give to those who need and don't beg.

I tend to not give so much unless he looks as if he cant work.Myself i have been hungry cold and homeless before but i never asked for money i would just find work some where so if i can do it so can they.

Nope. 9 out of 10 times they use it to buy alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. Also there is a lot of scams where people beg for money and thats how they earn their living. I see this a lot through my work.

if i have cash and he's wayyy older,
of course.
if he's young,
**** no.
a guy stopped me once and asked for money.
he told me he had just gotten out of jail and needed a way of getting back home.
i honestly would have given him money if i had any cash on me just for the simple fact he had been honest.

..you have a dollar to spare in this economy?!

I need a dollar!

I don't drink! ............often.

yes, if I can spare it, Im happy to try to help someone else who may need it (they MAY not, but Id rather take the risk that Im giving to one who doesnt need it than that I had passed over someone who did)

Got a dollar..? :D

I'll ask the reason, why he needs money? If its for buying drinks I'll move on. But if he's in need of money for family problem, then I think i can spare one dollar.

Actually, I've been homeless before. However, I never asked or begged anyone for anything. But, I can see how some people can. I also know that a lot of them don't use the money for food or anything that they actually need. Not to mention some panhandlers actually do that as an occupation and make more money at that than people who are working a full time minimum wage job. So when I can spare the money, I generally just get a few gift cards from Mcdonalds or Subway and use those. There has been a couple times where people have said.. "no thank you." Which I've taken for.. "I didn't want the money for food." I guess it doesn't keep them for turning around and selling them, but I like to think it cuts down on people using them for things they don't in anyway need.

no way to get it through a screen silly,...lol

If you approached me somewhere in person, today anyway, you would get it

on another day I may not have cash on me

..can I borrow your body?

Hey, that's an interesting idea. Have you done that often?

I've done it about a dozen times. Most the time, people are extremely grateful. It's money that I'd probably use on something useless anyway.

It can downright dangerous to give money to people. I know a case
where the beggar followed the donor home, discovered their phone
number, told others at the apt complex that he was their friend to
gain admittance to the apt complex, knocked on their window and
followed them around, called at all hours etc. asking for more money.
Police knew the guy well but couldn't easily stop the harassment.

Eventually the person being harassed had to move without forwarding
information to get it to stop.

So, knowing about this situation, I only give through established
charities and usually anonymously. I have done some volunteer work
also. But I do not recommend giving money to panhandlers. If I were
going to give money to anyone directly I might give money anonymously
to a relative or friend who I knew needed a bit extra but who would
not ask me for it. I think that would be a nice thing to do.

Because I've run into a few not so truthful panhandlers before, I now tell them that I'll go and buy them something if they're really hungry.

I myself have been homeless and down to where I had to panhandle in order to get something to eat. I didn't like doing it. But when you are hungry. And haven't ate anything for a couple days, you have to do something.
After being homeless and being around others that are in the same situation. You get a second nature feeling that a person is really telling the truth about being in real need of food. Or if that person is in need of beer or wine.
Now. Some people may say the famous cop out line " Get a job ". Like I had often received. But being homeless means that at times you have no way to take a shower, or wash clothes. And have you ever tried to find a job when you are wearing dirty clothes, unshaven,and unbathed? Not all that easy.Especially in these days where unemployment is so high. Employers can afford to be picky about who they hire now.
I have been fortunate enough that the Lord has blessed me to where as I was able to get out of the homeless situation. And able to have a roof over my head. Food in the refrigerator. A car to drive. And a washer and dryer to wash my clothes.
So yes. I give the dollar to most of the people that ask. And sometimes more when I take the time out of my day to actually stop and talk to them about their situation.
There has even been times when taking the time to get to know the reason they are homeless I have found out that they got stuck in a place far away from their home town. And no way back home. So I have driven them home to either their parents house. Or a friends home.
And yes. At times it meant driving through 3 states.
But believe me. 99.9% of the time when I see the tears, hugs and kisses they receive when they get HOME, makes it all worth it.
So. At times if you are able. Before you give that dollar. Take the time to talk to them. And try to find the REAL reason they are in that situation. It may touch your heart.