I had a pretty aggressive panhandler approach me at a street festival in Pleasant Ridge on Saturday. He came up to me and started talking while we were standing around, so I didn't think he was a panhandler at first, but then we went into his story about how he recently got out of jail, etc. He asked me for money and preemptively said, "now, everyone tells me they don't carry cash, but I know you have plastic, and you can take that to an ATM." Based on the audacity of that statement alone, I told him, sorry, I can't help you. Then, he proceeded to lecture me about the fact that I was holding a beer that I bought at that street festival. "You can afford to pay $5 for a beer but you can't help me out?"

 

I have noticed that I only run into panhandlers with these elaborate sob stories in neighborhoods like Pleasant Ridge or Oakley. In OTR, I get asked occasionally, but when I say no, they just move on.

Lecture you?  He just got out of jail!  Perhaps his attitude is holding him back.

I have noticed that I only run into panhandlers with these elaborate sob stories in neighborhoods like Pleasant Ridge or Oakley. In OTR, I get asked occasionally, but when I say no, they just move on.

 

It's quality vs. quantity. In OTR and downtown, these guys know they can approach 100+ people an hour, most of whom will ignore them, but 5-10 of whom will give them a buck or two. In less trafficked areas, they know they have fewer targets but a higher percentage who will pay attention to them, so they need to get 1-2 people per hour to really buy their story and hand them $5-$10.

Oh, I forgot to mention the other thing he said. The first thing he asked me was "Do you live in Pleasant Ridge?"  I said, "No, I live in Over-the-Rhine," and he said something like, "Oh damn, the ghetto!"

 

So maybe he was being honest about just getting out of jail, because he clearly hadn't gotten the memo...

 

Also, not a good idea to call the neighborhood where I live "the ghetto" if you want me to give you money.

The guy with no legs...Was it this guy?

He came up to me and started talking while we were standing around, so I didn't think he was a panhandler at first, but then we went into his story about how he recently got out of jail, etc.

 

That sounds like a YOU problem!

 

If they approach me asking for money for food, I'll direct them to local food pantries. They usually just turn around and walk away after I start giving them that information.

 

I can't believe folks are still using the "I ran out of gas, my car is 4 blocks away" story. Aside from that being the oldest trick in the book, wtf are you doing driving a car that is on empty? I don't even own a car; I mostly walk and occasionally take public transit. You expect me to have sympathy for your dumb ss[/member]?

He came up to me and started talking while we were standing around, so I didn't think he was a panhandler at first, but then we went into his story about how he recently got out of jail, etc.

 

That sounds like a YOU problem!

 

If they approach me asking for money for food, I'll direct them to local food pantries. They usually just turn around and walk away after I start giving them that information.

 

I can't believe folks are still using the "I ran out of gas, my car is 4 blocks away" story. Aside from that being the oldest trick in the book, wtf are you doing driving a car that is on empty? I don't even own a car; I mostly walk and occasionally take public transit. You expect me to have sympathy for your dumb ss[/member]?

 

Simmer down, David. No need to cuss here.

 

Thanks.

He came up to me and started talking while we were standing around, so I didn't think he was a panhandler at first, but then we went into his story about how he recently got out of jail, etc.

 

That sounds like a YOU problem!

 

If they approach me asking for money for food, I'll direct them to local food pantries. They usually just turn around and walk away after I start giving them that information.

 

I can't believe folks are still using the "I ran out of gas, my car is 4 blocks away" story. Aside from that being the oldest trick in the book, wtf are you doing driving a car that is on empty? I don't even own a car; I mostly walk and occasionally take public transit. You expect me to have sympathy for your dumb ss[/member]?

 

Simmer down, David. No need to cuss here.

 

Thanks.

 

Sorry, I get a little carried away sometimes.  Dumb burros :-P

 

 

 

 

I ignore them. Some are homeless some are professionals and make money doing it. On this topic there is a now famous young homeless guy (due to being a drunk) due to his expertise in being a freeloader.

 

 

 

 

After a little research Ihttp://www.phantasytour.com/bands/wsp/threads/3500106/any-eric-lannon-updates found this thread: http://phantasytour.com/bands/1/posts?page=1&topic_id=3262895

 

It is a list of crazy stories about this guy. They all revolve around the same idea of this guy pretending he has lost his phone/wallet then he asks for a ride to your house. He then sleeps on your couch for a week, drinks all your beer, sleeps with your girlfriend, then steals a bunch of stuff before he leaves.

 

It sounds like this guy is from Richmond, so wanted to see what other stories people might have on Eric Lannon

 

 

http://www.thecollegianur.com/article/2014/02/eric-lannon-regional-scam-artist-hits-richmond

 

http://rvamag.com/articles/full/22948/meet-the-hippy-frat-douche-whos-scamming-1er-east-coast-jam-bros

 

 

 

There was a guy like this in Cincinnati back in 2005 or 2006, basically a "bro" homeless guy.  Thanks to some internet chatter I identified him immediately when he approached me and my group on Fountain Square. For a skilled con-man he was quite startled that I sent him packing. 

 

I think I had an encounter with him too. It was the same time frame. Did he ever hang out in Tower Place? If it's the same dude, he got me for a couple bucks. I don't remember what his story was but it was pretty elaborate.

 

Greyhound Stations and the area immediately surrounding them, are the worst. YMCAs that provide short-term housing are probably a close second.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The guy with no legs...Was it this guy?

 

I doubt anyone born after 1990 posting here any idea of that joke! One of Eddie Murphy's best movies.

 

Don't want to take it off topic. Carry on.

I have no legs.  I have no legs.

The guy with no legs...Was it this guy?

 

I know what ya thinkin' babe... You seen Porgy & Bess. We can make it baby! Me, and you! You b!tch!