Remembers me what happens when I have patience to talk a minute with a beggar. Ask where he comes from, this kind of chit-chat. The initial money request is often forgotten. People really want to be noted, acknowledged they exist, and heard. Food for the soul is almost more important than physical food.
A guy who was homeless for 25 years in Australia (and who recently wrote a book about his experiences) agrees very strongly with what you're saying:
> I was recently asked by someone what they should do when they come across a homeless person. My response to this question is quite simple. Maybe you cannot make a difference to that person’s circumstance, but you can make a difference to how you see them. Many are hurting with the shame and stigma of being homeless. Don’t pretend they don’t exist: they are people too. [1]
