What is a Panhandler?
A panhandler is a beggar, or someone who relies on the charity of others for survival. “Panhandler” is primarily an American slang term, and it is often associated with aggressive begging tactics. Many visitors to American cities have interacted with panhandlers, who are often members of the homeless community. Beggars in general are an ancient part of human society, and they are treated in varying ways depending on where they are in the world. In the United States, many people dislike panhandlers. This is often due to a lack of understanding about homelessness, mental illness, and other factors which can lead someone to turn to panhandling. Panhandlers are often told to “get a job” and they may be abused by members of the public as often as they are offered charity. Panhandlers are also given a bad name by people who use aggressive or questionable tactics to get money from passerby. An aggressive panhandler may be stationed near a bank or automatic teller machine, or in close proximit
