Beggers on International Drive

[big_ad]

Hi folks we are flying out on the 17th of August and I have seen posts or seen on the net that there is an increase of people being approached for money and even some people robbed. Has anyone whos been recently seen any of this happening / experienced it?

[Big Dog]

There are always beggars, ignore them or politely refuse and say all you have is a credit card. Alternative is carry a cancelled credit card in a purse/wallet with $5 in currency and wear a money belt with your cards/money if you want to be ultra safe.

[fredflintstone]

Every so often every few years you do tend to here of a group of robberies etc but the police are very quick to increase there presence because businesses do not want people to be put off i-drive so if it was happening you will see lots of police and police cyclists to ensure it stops.

[gemma-lou]

We walked to Bahamas breeze one night and a guy approached us asking if we're British and then saying he had broken down and needed fuel money as he had no wallet or phone, he followed us for a bit after I kindly said no sorry as we didn't have cash on us, saying there is a cash machine down the road in Walgreens and would happily go down there to withdraw some cash and bring our card back to us 🤔 In the end I got assy in which bouncers came out and escorted him off the property.

[FloridaFairy]

We were approached a few years ago on 192. I think we were going into the Golden Corral.
A man asked us for money using the same sort of excuse. We said no and were walking off and I think he started to follow us but I screamed as I thought a bug had gone down my cleavage ( yes really). He made a sharp retreat but so did my group!

I don't like the windscreen washers at the traffic lights because you have to wait on the lights and I feel trapped!

Xx Ff xX

[mrs rcch]

About 10 years ago, we had just left Ponderossa (near Pointe Orlando) just as hubby was shutting his door, an old man appeared, thrust a "parking fine" in his hand, said we had to pay the fine,it was some sort of photocopy of some daft driving jokes, offered him $5 , as the kids were getting scared, that wasn't enough, he said $20, out of fear , we gave it to him, he said the money was going towards army veterans
It was the most bizarre experience we have ever had. I like to think the money was going to charity, but who knows

[Sew109]

Been approached in LA, Vegas, SFO and believe or not the only time I felt unnerved was in San Diego I am a big fella with a shaved head and I think that there are many softer targets. I also instruct self defence in all bar one situation I answered "I will not give you anything" this shuts the option of "there is a cash point" and removes any option of conversation to remove your excuse for giving the, money.

In San Diego after saying this the guy pointed to a kid and lady at the side of the road and said "it will be your fault they have no where to sleep" my rather poor response was "actually it's your fault for being a useless bum" at this point he really aggressive and I did back only when he (incorrectly ) realised he could not scare me did he back off.

If you give them money once you can never go back to that area and not expect to be continually hassled

[big_ad]

To be honest mate im abit of a bigger boy myself so im quite happy to say no, just dont want anything to ruin the experience for the rest of the party thats going.

[JanetteP]

We were in Walmart car park on the 192, I was in the car and dh was taking the trolley back. A man with a sleeping child in a pushchair ( it was 10pm) approached dh and asked if we were British, and could we take him to a nearby motel. His story was that his wife was at work, and if he gave us a lift to a motel, he would pay us $20 for petrol. DH politely said no, I was the gullible one, feeling sorry for the child! DH explained that he could have pulled a knife and robbed us once in the car. We've also been asked for money for parking near old town by an old ex army guy many years ago. DH paid his $20 as we didn't know any beter then.

[Sew109]

Originally Posted by big_ad

To be honest mate im abit of a bigger boy myself so im quite happy to say no, just dont want anything to ruin the experience for the rest of the party thats going.

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I do everything I ever can to avoid unhappiness or confrontation I think that "i am not going to give you any money" is the best way of doing this mate