This may seem odd but bear with me. Some time in about a years time I plan on going down to Florida (via bus) and living for a week with nothing as a bum. So that I don't have to explain too much here let's just say this is to win a bet. Anyway I have 3 main concerns, which hopefully some here would be able to address.

1. Getting arrested. What are the panhandling laws like? How strictly are they enforced? What kind of penalties are there? I won't have any form of ID what so ever, and I'll be hundreds of miles from home, what sort of problems might this cause? My friend has suggested making a fake press pass for a fake newspaper, and to claim I'm a freelance reporter. I like this, but it causes a web of lies, which I'll need to address all possible answers. What are the odds of police just throwing me in a drunk tank or something and letting me go in the morning, keeping in mind I'll have no proof of who I am, or address.

2. No making enough money to survive. I plan to bring some emergency money, but if I spend it I fail. I will make all my money by begging, unless some crazy other method presents itself. How much money do you think I could make begging. I figure a quarter every 15 mins might be reasonable. That would be a dollar an hour, and would be enough to live off of.

3. Getting raped, mugged, killed. I guess a bum isn't very likely to be mugged, and despite the high profile stuff you here about I doubt very many bums are kill for the hell of it.

Other than those 3 main issues any other advice on being a bum or Florida (which I've never been to) in general?

To anyone who thinks this idea is just dumb or silly. Well I have to agree, but I'll still be doing it, and expect it to provide a wealth of hilarious stories.

If you go in the right time of the year there will be fresh fruit hanging over fence lines above side walks and alleys. That should take care of your food. There is probably also some soup kitchens. Dumpsters behind grocery stores are also good.

If your really desperate you could resort to stealing peoples coolers off the beach for free beer.

Why florida of all places? I've lived here all my life and I can honestly say that
this
place
sucks.
(not all of it but a good portion.)
I recommend California.
However, If you do come down here...
-Try to come during the spring, best weather you can imagine.
-Avoid Tampa, It's like a hollow shell of what a city should be. Not very fun and chances of getting stabbed are good in some areas.
-However, Check out Ybor- it's right next to it- Great party place.
-Clearwater Beach is pretty much required to visit when down here, go on friday nights.
-More To Come!

Spring would be an ideal time, or possibly fall.

As a resident of Tampa, I'm not really sure what he means by a "hollow shell" of a city. Tampa has plenty of bums. They mostly congregate at the north end of downtown where the Salvation Army soup kitchen is or along Kennedy Boulevard. Tampa has plenty of back alleys and abandoned buidlings to hang out in. And no, you won't get stabbed. Violent crime isn't much of a problem here. You may get heckled in some of the neighborhoods, like near the projects, but that's it.

St. Petersburg is pretty bum-unfriendly. Recently the police came and slashed all the tents at a bum camp. In both Tampa and St. Pete, volunteers are not allowed to give away food on public property.

Sarasota is the worst though. From reading a news article awhile ago, it was ranked one of the most bum-unfriendly cities in the country. I'm sure it's mostly based on crimes towards bums and the actions of the police.

Maybe that helped a little.

I JUST GOT DONE WATCHING BUMFIGHTS OMG I LOVE THIS THREAD

smoke with blingbling

Buy beer for underage kids. Whenever we need some brew we'll ask a bum and let him keep the change. That should get you a good 3-4 dollars.

Yea, I used to live off the peaches.

Didn't read your thread, but go kill your face.

im new here how to i make a post

Don't panhandle around tourist attractions, you will get arrested. Don't let anyone know where you are staying while your here, We will kick your ass while your asleep. If a cop does approach you let them talk to you, and then leave the area.

give me your msn or aim and we'll talk. i'm about the most multi-perspective person on the planet. so we'll talk for a half hour and percieve every possible possibility. xD stealth7131 is my aim. stealth578@hotmail.com <-- msn

i really wanna do this. odds are i'd probably make quite a lot of money randomly robbing people for what they have on them in the streets.. that's always fun