I'm 25, and the neighborhood I recently moved to in has lots of hot college chicks, but also a sprinkling of panhandlers.

Illl be honest, I grew up in the suburbs and my parents are from the city, but they grew up in a different era. Yesterday as I left the building, I was accosted by a panhandler who walked with me and told me he got spat on and called a racist word. Out of altruism and sympathy, I gave him $20. But then he asked if I could give more, and he had his hand in his pocket. Whether he had itchy testicles or a knife is beyond me. I said that's all I have, have a nice day.

I didn't realize I was that naive. My parents were upset, but they said it's better to learn such a lesson now rather than later.

With this in mind, I wonder if it even makes sense to do cold approaches on the street, if I might just be seen as a panhandler or someone threatening? What approach makes sense? Do I just reserve this for a college campus or park?