Video Of Homeless Man Declining Food Has People Debating

Ashley Hunte
A hand holding up a smartphone. The screen on the phone is completely black save for the TikTok logo in the middle.
Unsplash | Solen Feyissa

Homelessness is prevalent all over the world, and our own backyards are no exception. People experience homelessness, poverty, and food scarcity all the time, but just because someone may need help doesn't mean they're always going to accept it.

Which is exactly what's happening in this TikTok.

In the video, uploaded by @ashleychabli, a woman approaches a homeless man with the intention to give him food.

She's confused when he declines.

Megan Fox saying "thanks but no thanks."
Giphy | New Girl

The caption within the video reads, "Tried to feed a homeless man [whose] sign said he was 'hungry....' he declined," followed by a few perplexed emojis.

The comment section was completely torn.

A woman saying "you're mistaken as usual."
Giphy | BET Plus

Some people commented that he was probably "hungry" for other things (i.e., drugs), while others pointed out that he probably just didn't want to be filmed.

Some people condemned the homeless man.

Rowan Atkinson rolling his eyes.
Giphy | Working Title

"So was he hungry or not? Them people be lying like hell just to get a few dollars," one comment said.

Another commenter wrote, "They want money to get high some will take the food but not most of them."

They also thought the man couldn't afford to be picky.

A man saying "you are being too picky."
Giphy | Stoneham Press

"He needs to change his sign to 'hungry but not starvin,'" said another comment.

All in all, there were many people who assumed the worst of this man, and of homeless people in general. Which is a shame.

Let's not forget that homeless people are still people.

Kaley Cuoco saying "that's gotta be a little dangerous!"
Giphy | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

"Taking food from people is risky. I wouldn’t accept food from a random stranger. Nice gesture but it doesn’t mean he’s unappreciative," said a comment.

You honestly never know what somebody could've done to that food, so it would make sense if a homeless person wanted to be a little cautious.

And of course, he probably saw the camera turned on him.

A person pointing a video camera toward the camera.
Unsplash | Seth Doyle

A comment reads, "Seems like he didn’t want you to record and make a spectacle of him." He more than likely didn't consent to being on film, after all.

Others noted that if he had taken the food, the video could have turned into one of those "good deed" videos with schmaltzy music shared for internet points.

There were other comments pointing out the importance of communication.

A woman sating, "talk to me!"
Giphy | The Roku Channel

"The best thing to do is communicate w them and ask them what they need," a commenter wrote.

At the end of the day, respect is key.

Janet Jackson saying "I deserve respect."
Giphy | Janet Jackson

Even if her intentions were good, she probably shouldn't have been recording to begin with, let alone uploading the video. Homeless people are as deserving of dignity and respect as anyone else.

h/t: DailyDot