“Lie down man” may be a fraud, but does it matter?

It’s always a surprise to me – although it shouldn’t be – that some people are so irritated with the unfortunate.

I’ve given my share of loonies to panhandlers, but even I am weary of the relentless gauntlet of beggars working the stop lights along Lake Shore Blvd.

I try to be mindful of the good fortune I’ve had, instead feeling annoyed; I’m sitting in a nice car while he’s standing outside of it with a dirty Tim Horton’s cup, hoping someone will drop a few coins into it.

But many people see panhandling strictly as an unwanted intrusion by fraudsters who should get out of their way.

A reader (we’ll be kind and not name him) emailed to say he’s fed up with the “lie down man,” who’s often stretched out on the sidewalk on the southwest corner of Bloor and Bay Sts.

“On almost any day of the week, you can find the lie down man lying smack in the middle of (the sidewalk), covered by a blanket, hand outstretched, holding a baseball cap for donations.

“Not only is the lie down man a depressing sight, but he also impedes pedestrian traffic on one of the city’s busiest corners.

“Not surprisingly, the lie down man is also a scammer – he can walk perfectly well (I’ve seen him walking many times to his spot carrying his trademark cardboard and blanket.

“Can anything be done to remove the lie down man? While I’m sympathetic towards the homeless…the lie down man needs to find another location, or do his begging standing upright.”

I understand the reader’s irritation, but here’s the thing: We don’t know what goes on inside the lie down man’s head, or how sick or troubled he may be.

It’s hard to imagine that he approaches Bay and Bloor each day with a sense of glee over the small amount of money he’ll be given by people who feel sorry for him because he’s laying on the sidewalk.

My suggestion for those who find him irritating is to hurry past him and pay no attention.

Try to remember your own good fortune.

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Comments

[ReaderSP]

Jack, I appreciate your compassion however after living in the downtown core for the past two decades I have learned quite a bit about the practice of panhandling in this city.

People often use the terms 'panhandler' and 'homeless' interchangeably but that is not always accurate. I'm in a neighbourhood with a number of Toronto Community Housing apartments where men and women whom I see regularly panhandling on the street, live. Not glamourous accommodations by any stretch, but a far cry from being homeless.

Yes there are some people truly living on the street, mostly those with mental health issues...that is a whole other social issue. Panhandling can be very lucrative and there are individuals who exploit others generosity. For example, there is a man who sits outside the Tim Hortons on Scott St. and Wellington daily, asking for money for food. Sometimes I see him furtively checking his iPhone. And he is not the only one I've seen do this. I understand from speaking with others in the neighburhood that there is quite a network (drug related) involved and that some make upwards of $300 a day panhandling to support their addictions.

My main issue with the panhandling situation in the city is that very often these men and women become aggressive both to the the general public and towards each other. I do not give any money to panhandlers anymore and instead donate directly to organizations like Dixon Hall who provide excellent services for those in need.