How to Not be a Jerk to the Homeless: 5 Tips from Actual Homeless People
Homeless people always seem to have a bad reputation. There are many misconceptions people think of in relation to them. However, they’re just people. If you find yourself feeling anxious or awkward interacting with them, check out these five tips provided by actual homeless people.
1. Don’t tell them how to use the money you give them.
If you decide to give money to a homeless person, great! However, once you hand over the cash, it is now their money and they can choose to spend it however they would like. “People come up to me and tell me to buy a cup of coffee to sober up,” says Rick, a 50-year-old homeless man. “Everyone just assumes I’m drunk all the time and that’s not the case. Maybe I prefer weed, get your facts straight.” Rick does have a point. Would you like for someone to tell you how to use your money?
2. Don’t tell them to get a job.
Sadly, this is the phrase these people get the most. Not everyone is the same but for the majority of homeless people, they simply can’t get a job. This can be from injuries, PTSD, or mental illness. In Rick’s case, his injuries prevent him from holding a steady job. “I spend my entire day waiting for someone to give me money, which I really appreciate, but this isn’t what I want to be doing,” he says. “I was a welder for almost twenty years but I got a head injury on the job and now I have seizures.”
They are already struggling with obtaining a job, so don’t be an unpleasant reminder.
3. Don’t pretend that they aren’t there.
“A simple smile or a wave can go a long way,” says Joe a 42-year-old homeless man.
It’s okay if you don’t have anything to give them. However, blatantly ignoring them is rude. Being out on the streets can get very lonely so any small gesture such as “good morning” or “how are you?” can be very impactful.
4. Do offer food if you don’t have money.
If you don’t want to offer them money, food is always a good alternative. A great example is when you’re leaving a restaurant with a box of leftovers. There’s a good chance those leftovers are going to end up in the trash anyway.
Speaking of food, did you know Fort Collins has a non-profit restaurant directed to helping the community? FoCo Cafe is a great resource for the homeless community. They have two ways you can pay: either pay what you can, or volunteer to work off the meal you ate. Their mission statement is, “ … To build community by providing nutritious and delicious meals to the people of Fort Collins regardless of their ability to pay while using mostly local, organic, and sustainably grown ingredients,” (FoCoCafe.org). Click the link to learn more.
5. Remember: They’re just people.
It’s perfectly normal to feel a little uncomfortable when interacting with the homeless. But you got to remember that they are just people. So don’t go off telling weird jokes or offering quirky services. “The weirdest thing a stranger has asked me is if they could wash my feet,” said Rick. “Just because I’m homeless doesn’t mean I can’t take a shower.”
Helpful links to learn more or to get involved in Fort Collins:
