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A panhandler is an individual who asks for money from people in public areas. Typically, these individuals are facing hardships and are in need of assistance; many will respect your decision if you decline their request politely. However, some panhandlers may become pushy or intimidating when seeking money. To manage such situations, you can create an excuse, ignore them, or seek help from others to avoid direct confrontation.
Steps to Follow
Crafting an Excuse
Politely decline by stating you don’t have any cash on hand. If approached by a panhandler, respond with, “I’m sorry, I don’t have anything to spare,” and continue walking. If their intention is to receive a small amount of money, they will likely move on once they realize you’re not going to comply. If they persist or attempt to negotiate, firmly repeat that you have nothing to give.
- Start with an apology to ease tension, but use a confident tone. If they sense fear, they may become more persistent or aggressive.
- Maintain eye contact while speaking to a panhandler. This demonstrates confidence and shows that you respect them as a person.
Tip: Panhandlers might get upset or irritated if you disregard them or fail to treat them with respect. Greet them with a smile as you pass by, even if you don’t intend to give them anything. Being courteous can prevent a panhandler from becoming hostile.
Tell them you’re in a hurry if the panhandler is stationary. Increase your walking speed as soon as you notice a panhandler. If they approach you for money, continue walking and say, “Sorry, I’m late for an appointment.” They are unlikely to pursue you if they believe you’re too busy to stop.
- If the panhandler follows you, seek shelter in a nearby business or crowded area before contacting the police. In most regions, it’s illegal for panhandlers to chase someone, and authorities should be notified immediately.
Claim you only have a credit card if they request money. When a panhandler asks for cash, you can respond by saying you only carry a credit card. This works especially well if you’re entering a store or restaurant and the panhandler is near the entrance.
- If they ask for water or a small snack, consider providing it, but only if you feel comfortable doing so.
Ignoring the Panhandler
Refrain from eye contact and continue walking if you prefer not to engage. Ignoring an aggressive panhandler can be an effective strategy, especially if they’re seeking attention. Keep your head down and walk past them as if nothing is happening.
- If the panhandler is yelling or following you, ignoring them might escalate their frustration. Instead, acknowledge them politely and explain that you’re unable to assist at the moment.
Tip: This approach might upset the panhandler if they’re directly addressing you. Pair this method with a brief, “Sorry, I’m in a rush,” to minimize the chance of them becoming agitated.
Use body language to indicate you’re unavailable while still acknowledging the panhandler. When asked for money, raise your hand with your palm facing them and shake your head to show disinterest. Body language alone often suffices to convey your refusal, and they may move on once they realize you won’t engage.
- Using gestures to say “no” strikes a balance between ignoring and acknowledging the panhandler. It shows you recognize their presence without inviting further interaction.
Pretend to be on a call for a quick escape. Most aggressive panhandlers won’t interrupt someone on the phone. As soon as you notice a panhandler approaching, pull out your phone, act as if it’s ringing, and answer with a concerned tone. Proceed to have a fake conversation.
- If improvising isn’t your strength, plan a scenario beforehand.
- Topics like medical results, work issues, or family news work well for fake calls.
- Choose a topic that demands focus and seriousness. Casual conversations might still attract the panhandler’s attention.
Maintain distance between your car and the next vehicle at a red light. If a panhandler is near an intersection, slow down and leave 15–20 feet (4.6–6.1 m) between your car and the one ahead. Once the panhandler passes the car in front, pull forward to avoid them. They’re unlikely to backtrack to approach you.
- Pretend to adjust your radio before moving forward to make it seem unintentional.
Seeking Assistance and Avoiding Conflict
Always choose the least disrespectful approach when possible. Asking strangers for money can be demeaning. If you respond rudely or dismissively, you may escalate the situation and provoke a confrontation.
- Practice responding calmly and non-confrontationally. You can prepare by imagining scenarios, journaling, or reflecting on how to handle unexpected insults.
- If a panhandler politely asks for change, immediately ignoring them or calling the police might only make them more persistent or upset.
Call law enforcement if the panhandler refuses to leave you alone. Aggressive panhandling is against the law in most regions. If a panhandler continues to harass you, contact emergency services and request police intervention.
- If you feel threatened, are followed, or are yelled at by a panhandler, don’t hesitate to call the authorities.
Notify a nearby business owner if the panhandler is outside their establishment. If a panhandler is causing trouble near a store, step inside and speak to the manager. The presence of a panhandler can deter customers, giving the business owner a reason to address the issue. They may also have experience dealing with the specific individual and can offer useful advice.
Tip: This strategy is especially effective if you’ve noticed the panhandler frequenting the area. The business owner likely has prior experience handling the situation.
Pacify the panhandler by promising future assistance if you want to avoid outright refusal. To prevent conflict, tell the panhandler you’ll help them later. Say, “I don’t have anything right now, but I can spare some money next time,” or, “Sorry, I’m out of cash today, but I’ll have some tomorrow.” This can deter them from pressing further.
- The downside is that the panhandler might remember you. If you encounter them again and don’t follow through, it could lead to tension.
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Not all panhandlers are homeless, even though they may be asking for money on the streets. Assuming they lack a home can be both disrespectful and incorrect, as many panhandlers have stable living situations.
