I get envious at times of panhandlers living off the streets, especially in big cities like Toronto. They appear to lead a laissez-faire life-style, not a chaotic one like most of us. They exist autonomously, no social issues, no wardrobe decisions to deliberate, sleep wherever they want and earn a modest living with handouts from complete strangers. From my eyes, it looks idyllic.
Panhandling appears to be a seamless way to exist despite many being routinely ignored, sworn at, harassed, robbed and even assaulted. Subsistence strategies such as begging for money is an informal economic activity commonly associated with homelessness to just survive.
People who engage in such activities often have real difficulties getting a job, due to their poverty, compromised health, disability and mental health challenges. Thus, begging and soliciting allows these people the lowest of the lowest level in society to earn income on a day-to-day basis in order to meet their immediate needs without giving a thought about tomorrow until it arrives.
A report done on Panhandlers in Toronto showed, “They gross a median monthly income of $300 from panhandling itself and $638 from total sources.” Few earn large amounts of money, but it does vary widely from person to person.
The more successful ones learn the tricks of the trade; ‘they look the look’, know what they are begging for, have a cohesive message, a good location, and work on people’s sympathy. Their largest reported expense was food, followed by tobacco, then alcohol.
However, of the panhandlers surveyed, 24 percent had their own room or apartment but needed to work the streets for extra income. The report also asked the question “What if panhandling just wasn’t an option?” Many did not have an answer. Some replied, “We wouldn’t be able to do anything and would go hungry.” For most, panhandling is a last resort.
Living in a big urban environment means that a walk downtown could result in several encounters with people who are panhandling. You may consider the question of, “Should I give money?” It is really a choice that you need to make for yourself. However, if you choose to give someone money, what that money gets spent on is no longer in your control. The spending choice is theirs.
I recall a time when my parents visited us in Toronto. We all went to the Royal Alex Theatre for a performance Saturday evening. Upon leaving we noticed a young lady sitting on the curb begging for money. We pretended not to notice her but I turned back, walked over and handed her some change – because I wanted to. My mother said in shock, “How could you give someone you don’t know, money.” I replied, “It was the calamity in my heart.”
I have approached panhandlers for a conversation before. I found that by looking them right in the eye and acknowledging them, they were receptive and I usually got an explanation of how they ended up on the streets. The stories differed but were mostly due to unfortunate circumstances. In a way, I admired their stoicism for managing to survive after reaching rock bottom. This one gentleman held my attention for an hour with his narrative – he had literally gone from riches to rags.
Many homeless people end up in prison due to a combination of mental health and substance use issues. Their reliance on panhandling and visibility on the streets along with a higher surveillance by police increase the likelihood of jail time. In the last several years, activities of the homeless such as panhandling have become illegal or criminal in many jurisdictions.
Michael Bryant, who works as a defense lawyer for the homeless argues, “Ticketing the homeless moves in the direction of criminalizing homelessness itself. It contributes to marginalizing vulnerable individuals in the name of public safety.” It is also a measure of limiting freedom of speech and access to a public space thereby creating a revolving door scenario where incarceration and homelessness are the only two realities. Whether the law should be enforced or relaxed is a waiting game!
If I ever reach the point of losing my possessions and become homeless, I want to try my hand at panhandling. I think I would do okay at swindling those city slickers out of their pocket change.
