CHANGE
With 7 years in New York City and 2 years living in San Francisco, I have my "Sorry, no" response to panhandlers refined to a synaptic impulse. I never ignore people who ask, but I rarely, if ever, give money.

Today a guy my age in pretty ok shape walks up to me and says, "Can I have 53 cents for some pizza?"
After my, "Sorry, no" I start to wonder exactly what he then confirms:
"OK. How about six bucks for some heroin?"


Two immediate thoughts:
~ What kind of heroin are you buying for $6?
~ I like it better when people just pretend it's for food. Or beer.