Oct 3rd 2008 By Jeremy Taylor

Panhandlers Make More than the Average Worker

(Our happy hour fact to amaze your drinking buddies with.)

Panhandlers can earn between $30 to $40 an hour, according to a new study.

In a report commissioned by the city of Spokane, Washington, researchers found that most panhandlers are not actually homeless. However, street beggars do frequently suffer from substance abuse problems, often have criminal records and rarely have (traditional) employment.

They also found that a successful panhandler can make twice the hourly wage of the average American worker, who makes about $19 an hour.

An Asylum study has found panhandlers are also much tanner than the typical office slave, and get to meet all kinds of new and interesting people each day. Just something to think about if you are considering a career change and have no shame.

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Cardboard Homeless Signs

Ninjas are downright ruthless, so this is easily the most worthy cause for donation we've seen in a while.

10ockergn0me, Flickr

The old "Take my wife, please!" It's a classic, though our friend here makes it his own.

brofax, Flickr

He's a crafty one. Go ahead and give him a dollar.

Bukowsky18, Flickr

See it's funny because he probably doesn't actually have a Lear Jet.

Cavecanem, Flickr

What if she's just rich? Will that work?

Cloois, Flickr

Save that money for a Tony Robbins' book and build your confidence. Proud ugly guys get laid all the time.

Erik Jaeger, Flickr

If only there were enough rich women go to around. Sigh.

Jwswieringa, Flickr

Honesty is not always the best policy.

nycarthur, Flickr

The Palo Alto homeless are apparently IBM people, rather than Mac people.

Oracle Omega, Flickr

Can't say this sign makes us want to give this gentleman any money.

Photonerd, Flickr

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Tags: beggars - begging - panhandle - panhandler

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Thursday 09 October

By ROBERT

Neutral

I NEVER GIVE TO ANY CHARITY OR BUM THY MADE THE SUTUATION IM SO TIRED OF CHARITIES BEGGING AND EVEN SICKER OF BUMS GET A JOB MCDONALDS IS HIRING

Thursday 09 October

By RL

Neutral

I felt the same way folks. But now I may have to try it myself. I bought my home in 1978. I'm within $30,000 of having it paid off. I became disabled and can't even sit at a computer for more than 30 mins. I am getting disability of 572 per month. My house payment is $470 and about 7 yrs to go. I worked hard all my life starting at age 12 and paid into the system. I never thought I would be unemployable but I am. I have less than $100 per month to eat on, pay for meds from VA and utilities. I helped quite a few people along the way. Am I a deadbeat? Would you offer me help if I was out there with a sign? I may be soon and I hope you do. Everything I saved is gone. What should I do? I have never done drugs or alcohol and did everything right the best I could.

Thursday 09 October

By RL

Neutral

Thursday 09 October

By Dragonfly

Neutral

I agree there are a lot of panhandelers that are only making a quick buck, but then there are those who are truely homeless and hungry, the bad ruin it for the good, some people are having it tough, I give to some but only when I feel this person needs help, and who knows it could be Jesus and I would never want to pass Him by, and if I get taken then The Lord knows where my heart was so it is on them not me.Let The Lord lead you and you can NEVER go wrong..

Monday 20 October

By Olivia

Neutral

I love it. More reason to love America. I'm a college graduate, ordained minister and award-winning filmmaker, and the most I ever made was 7.00/hour. The average is 19.00/hr? With a masters degree I could get a job here in VA making about 28,000/yr, which is about 14.00/hr. Only in the states can you have nothing but end up with more than most people. God is good.

Olivia

Tuesday 21 October

By The Sarge

Neutral

To give or not to give...that is the question. There don't seem to be any hard and fast rules on this. I generally go with the DLR rule: if it Don't Look (Feel) Right, forget it. While there is indeed true need in this Great Country, there exists poverty in other parts of this blue ball in space which greatly minimize our concept of need.

Friday 24 October

By Drew

Neutral

We must be careful about judging others based on superficial observations. If one doesn't actually know any homeless people... if one doesn't have homeless friends or family... than that one really doesn't have an informed opinion on the subject. As someone who knows and loves a number of homeless people, let me say this: There are scam artists in every economic bracket... of every race, nationality, religion, age, gender, etc. There always have been. But the scam artists who do the most damage in this world are rich, white men... CEOs and politicians... not panhandlers. And NO ONE is asking them how they spend their money. The richest 20% of the world's population consume 80% of the world's resources, while the poorest 20% consume less than 2%. If we want to talk about injustice, let's start there. At least when the poor swindle it is a survival technique... the rich do it just for kicks. Not all people who panhandle are homeless and not all homeless people panhandle... but there are many causes of homelessness and many motivations for panhandling. There are all kinds of complex and valid reasons for refusing help... The majority of homeless people I have known in my life (and I see 50 homeless clients each week) despite all of their many struggles, have been beautiful, intelligent, capable, passionate people who longed for nothing more than to be given a chance... to participate productively in society... to feel accepted and fulfilled. The same things we all want. By all means, do what you want with your money... but don't try to assuage your own guilt by trashing the people you choose not to help.