Let’s have an argument. As we begin to discuss the topic of whether or not to give money to panhandlers, and under what circumstances or conditions, we’ll experience the need to define some terms and lay out some causal conditions. We may even have to refute the good arguments made by classmates. In fifteen minutes, I hope to be able to illustrate the basics of persuasive argument.
Sample Claims
I always give to panhandlers
I give to female panhandlers
I give to panhandlers who are missing a limb
I give to panhandlers who convince me they’re wounded or ill
I give to panhandlers if I have spare pocket change
I give to panhandlers if I don’t have to look through my wallet for a small bill
I give to panhandlers if they keep their distance
I give to panhandlers I see every day or so
I give to panhandlers I think I’m unlikely to see ever again
I give to panhandlers who look truly desperate
I give to panhandlers who appear to be very temporarily down on their luck
I give to panhandlers who look employable if they got a haircut and a clean shirt
I give to panhandlers if they offer anything in return
I give to panhandlers whose signs show wit
I give to panhandlers whose signs demonstrate real need
I give to panhandlers who say they’re single parents or veterans
I give to panhandlers who say they will work for food
I give to panhandlers who I feel certain will use the money for food
I give to panhandlers if their signs mention God
I give to panhandlers whose stories move me
I give food to panhandlers, never money
I take panhandlers into stores and let them buy things
I buy panhandlers meals at outdoor restaurants
I look at panhandlers and smile
I mutter something to panhandlers as I pass
I apologize that I have no money to spare
I say I’ll help them shortly and then do
I say I’ll help them shortly and then don’t
I have brief conversations with panhandlers
I pretend I do not see or hear panhandlers
I never give to panhandlers
I never give to panhandlers whose signs mention God
I never give to panhandlers who are dressed at all well
I never give to male panhandlers
I never give to female panhandlers
I never give to panhandlers who ask aggressively
I never give to panhandlers who approach me at a stop sign in my car
I never give to panhandlers who make me feel trapped
I never give to panhandlers who block traffic or the sidewalk
I never give to panhandlers who use the same spot for years
I never give to panhandlers who “clean” my windshield
I never give to panhandlers who seem crazy
I never give to panhandlers who have cell phones
Go on the Record
In a Reply below, lay out your position on panhandlers in a few sentences, citing claims like those above or others that work better for you. When we’ve committed to positions, we’ll “mix it up” for awhile and illustrate the basics of persuasive argument.
alwaystired247
AnonymousStudent
azntaco
beforeverge
BigBabyBaller
bitagaming
breakingbad1820
Caravan
cinderella1013
davidbdale
Yankeelover18
fatboy489zt
giantsfan224
glacierfreeze21
gobirds17
green0728
gymrat230
Gir
jerseymikes1106
jesusisking1738
jetsfan806
Kenneth Alex Krug
manipulator66
mercythyhealer14
McCormick Karner
mochaatrain
oni
powerranger
peanut2348
pinkcottoncandy4
princess01430
redbird1123
rubes1256
shxrkbait
sillyinternetperson
soulpond47240
spatel8267
stingingcrib5
tacotyphoon
thepersonindisguise
usmnt23
worldofjuice999
xephos1
Counterintuitive Fall 2022 
I will always provide food for panhandlers, and money to those who I know would use the money for something productive.
I only give to panhandlers when I am with another person.
I give to panhandlers when I have a spare dollar laying around.
I give to panhandlers if I don’t have to look through my wallet for a small bill and I never give to panhandlers who seem crazy
I don’t give to panhandlers because there is a chance they will try to use the money to buy drugs or alcohol which will negatively affect their lives if it hasn’t already.
I don’t really just decide to not give panhandlers money just because of what they have or what they are doing. If I have some spare change laying around or a few dollar bills then I’ll give them some. If I don’t then I’ll just apologize and keep going on with my day.
I give to panhandlers if I have spare pocket change or whose signs show wit. Even when I don’t have anything to give, I give them a smile to show I at least care. I have offered my leftovers in bigger cities, like NYC or Memphis, when I pass by someone who looks like they could benefit from some extra food or drink.
I only give them food or money if I see they are old and don’t have enough capacity to go to find a job to work and earn money from it. Otherwise, I will not give a hand.
I give to panhandlers if I have change
I give to panhandlers who seem to be down on their luck. I will give money or provide food, depending on what I currently possess in my person. It doesn’t matter to me what they use the money or food; I trust them that they will use it for whatever they need most. However, I never give anything to panhandlers while driving or in my car.
I never give to panhandlers who approach me at a stop sign in my car. I get very annoyed when people do this. It’s just not a very beneficial way of asking for money and it makes me question whether or not these people are actually struggling.
I’ll usually give a panhandler money as long as I have smaller denominations of bills and as long as they look genuinely in need.
I give to panhandlers if I have the money to do so. I give to panhandlers who I feel certain will use the money for food. I look at panhandlers and smile. I apologize if I have no money to spare. I never give to panhandlers who block traffic. I never give to panhandlers who make me feel trapped. I never give to panhandlers who ask me aggressively.
I give to panhandlers who ask politely, for if the roles were reversed I would hope someone would help me. I never give to panhandlers who walk up to me and ask because they make me feel like I am trapped or threatened.
I only give to panhandlers if they’re going to use the money for food. Giving money to someone that is going to use it on drugs is a waste of my time (and my money), so I prefer to give money to someone that needs a good meal.
I never give money to panhandlers who ask aggressively or try to trap me.
I only give to panhandlers when they have a dog but I never give panhandlers money.
I give to panhandlers cautiously.
I give to panhandlers food who have dogs because the dog doesn’t deserve that.
I give to panhandlers food with an indisputable “ethos” element to their signs
I always give to panhandlers with children.
I always give to panhandlers who are children.
I never give to panhandlers who make absurd jokes on their posters
I am sparse in giving money to panhandlers because I was taught young that oftentimes its used to buy drugs
I never give to panhandlers who are ” too well kept”
Panhandlers are people who ask people on the streets for food or money. In the eyes of many panhandlers don’t deserve for what they ask unless they earn it. In some type of way if I saw a panhandler do something for the community then I would give them food, but never money. The food that is eaten or the money use for the food is something that a person worked for and earned. There are no hand outs in life everything should be worked for and earned because it gives the benefits of the money or food and it gives benefit in the feeling of hard work and the feeling of earning something not for free in a persons life.
When I see panhandlers I feel bad but also feel like some put themselves in that position, while others maybe struggled all their lives. Some might be trapped in a steep hole that they can’t get out of. I usually give panhandlers food instead of money because some use the money for other things that aren’t going to do them any good.
I give to panhandlers if they write an item on their sign that I can give, and I give them the item never money. Like clothing or food.
I always try to give to panhandlers if I have a dollar or so to spare, we never know what they have going on. The least i could do is help a little.
I personally believe that all panhandlers should be given a chance. I’ll only give to those that are polite about it. I’ll never give to those who interrupt me during a conversation or while I’m busy
I don’t give to panhandlers because I feeling through they use the money for drugs and because some of them lye and I avoid eye contact what panhandlers so they won’t have to ask for money.
I always give to panhandlers when I have cash on me. I’ll always give something helpful to panhandlers who have been ignored by everyone else.
I give to panhandlers if I have small cash or if I don’t think I will see them again.
I tend to not give to panhandlers unless they have a dog with them because I love dogs and never want to see the dog suffer.
I always give to panhandlers if I have small bills on me, and if the panhandlers are polite
I will always give panhandlers change or small bills if I know I have something in my pocket. Everyone deserves a second chance, even if they put themselves in their current condition.
I sometimes give to panhandlers when I know I have small bills and they are asking respectfully.
At times I don’t give panhandlers attention or make eye contact, I sometimes give panhandlers change that I have left over, I give to panhandlers who look as if they will use the money for good
I always give to panhandlers if I have spare pocket change. A dollar to me could mean the world to them. I give to the panhandlers who look like they really need help, since I’d hope someone would do the same for me. I always give to panhandlers who have children or dogs with them. I do not give if I feel threatened or if they are rude.
I always give to panhandlers that are honest with what they will do with the money.
I won’t give the money to the one who is young and would be able to work. I only give to panhandlers who are old , unhealthy and couldn’t work.
I don’t always give money to panhandlers, sometimes i give something which is a necessity like food, water.
I won’t give the money to the one who is young and would be able to work. I only give to panhandlers who are old , unhealthy and couldn’t work.
I give money to panhandlers every time I stop at a red light.
I give to panhandlers whose signs demonstrate real need. I buy panhandlers meals at outdoor restaurants.
The latter would be a substitute for the former assuming I had means. I am not the type to disparage the homeless and I believe the stereotype of the panhandler who asks for money for food and spends it on drugs is far overstated. However, you can’t always be certain. Buying that person not perishable food but a prepared meal they cannot in any way sell or exchange is even more certain to help a person who may be suffering from addiction and struggle to prioritize the rest of their health as a result.