The perfectly able-bodied kids who hang around outside the local 7-11 and mutter "Spare change? Hey, mister, you got any spare change?" I generally either ignore and keep going, or respond to with, "Kid, there is no such thing as spare change!" and again, keep going.

Gut instinct more than anything, I guess. Not being a person of unlimited means, I prefer to call my shots, and it depends a lot on my immediate impression of the person. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If no, I just smile, say "Sorry," and keep moving.

It's always a wrench, because there are a lot of really needy, unemployed, homeless people around. If the person looks like they are for real, I say something like, "Sorry I don't have any money to spare, but if you're hungry, they have feeding programs at Central Lutheran Church on 11th and Olive, or the Pilgrim Congregational Church across from the QFC. No questions asked, and they won't make you listen to a sermon." Sometimes I get cussed at, but lots of times they thank me and head toward one church or the other.

Don Firth