Never
Generally
If they have a pet with them
Never if they have a pet with them
If they appear to have a good reason
Never ever given money to them, and never will. Was getting out of my car the other day and one practically tried to jump in and said he'd guard my car and keep warm whilst I was doing my business in town, in return I give him a pound for him doing it.
He was politley told to sod off. I wasn't about to let that stinky old man sit in my car and steal my sat nav and radio, and possibly the car.
When I was there in August I was approached no less than 5 times while I was having a cigarette outside one of the hotels from different beggars. Probably most of them were there as it was one of the best hotels I was in.Originally Posted by Funkstar
I prefer to donate to the charities that help them aside from a direct handout.
I buy the Big Issue quite a lot. If I didn't I'd probably give to a charity or two.
I haven't been in the position where I couldn't sink any lower, so I suppose I can't really comment on how hard it is being homeless, but if I was I definately wouldn't hang around on the streets trying to live off people's spare change.
I used to give money quite regularly to a woman who begged outside the carpark in Bromley where I parked my car when I worked there. I got chatting to her once and she was genuinely homeless, and so I felt genuinely sorry for her, to the tune of a pound or two whenever I saw her.
In general though I just raise my eyes to the ceiling and walk on by. I should really start assuaging my conscience by giving regularly to homeless charities, it's easy and cheap enough with payroll giving.
Raw chicken bones won't do the dog any harm, probably quite good for it in fact. They only go brittle- and hence dangerous to the dog- when cooked, as I understand it.
I never give simply because it encourages more begging. I could jump two, maybe three but I just won't risk it.
Never. Don't really feel like giving money to someone who will go spend it on drink or drugs instead of getting their act together and actually trying to earn some money. And yes, I do realise I'm stereotyping them all, but it's mostly true. I'd rather not waste my money.
Buskers on the other hand are different. People who genuinely want a bit of money, up and coming musicians for example, they are busking to try and make their way to getting a job. They don't want something for nothing, they actually want to entertain you. Give them a pound or two if I have it on me (only if they are really good).
The question i think we should be asking, at least in England, is why are there homeless people in the first place, how come our social state is failing them?
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For once i refuse to blame the state, there is plenty of help for them if they so wish. they are just plane lazy,
Simple, if there really wanted to sort them selves out, they could.
I was in working in Paris last month and on the Metro between Gard De Nord and Montepanasse there was a beggar.
Sruffy fella but had a radio. He got on my carriage and started singing along to the muisic at the top of his voice, then came round with his hat for some spare change.
I had a crap day and he really made me chuckle. Not with his act, but the sheer cheek of it. 5Euros prompltly went his way.
The way i look on beggars is this.
Its just a twist of fate for many.
All it takes is a slight change in fortune and you could be in the doorway next to them tomorrow night.
I dont give cash generally, but i am lucky enough to have everything i want and more. The price of a cup of tea or sandwich is small.
The worst thing is when i look in a doorway and see a guy in his mid-thirties. I look and think it could be me if things hadn't gone my way.
Maybe people who use this forum are lucky enough not to have to ask strangers for food or drinks. I for one NEVER take it for granted!
You dont honestly think, in many cases its that black and white do you? Surely not!Don't really feel like giving money to someone who will go spend it on drink or drugs instead of getting their act together and actually trying to earn some money
No...the question you should be asking is why the rich get richer (as you tell us you are so often), and the poor get poorer.
Please
Please
Please
don't try to pin this one on the Labour party aswell btw.....
Last edited by Blitzen; 19-11-2008 at 12:13 PM.
I've not given to a beggar, not for a few years. I've also given food and drink to beggars, who I think are genuinely homeless.
There's far too many people that are pretending to be beggars around where I live, as mentioned by some already here, and they throw a right strop when you don't give them anything. I wouldn't be surprised if some people have been verbally bullied into giving them money.
There's a beggar at an ATM up the road, most friday and saturday nights - I gave him money once, loose change, he was thankful. Walked past him the next night, I told him I had no change when asked and he proceeded to call me all sorts of names, some pretty racist. This was about 7 years ago, and he's still there doing exactly the same thing. Thing is everyone knows who he is now, so he's spending more time cussing at people. What hacks me is that he probably has more money than most of the people who give him money.
As a kid I used to give to beggars all the time, but when you learn that you're not doing much in the grander scheme of things, you'd rather help people who want to help themselves. Life's all about choices, and people can make things happen for themselves.
On another note, I'm really fed up with people just coming up to you and just asking for your money. Seriously mate, your trainers alone cost more than my whole outfit.
Wow... I mostly agree with Blitzen :O
I've been in ropey situations myself where I've almost ended up homeless, and as such it's a cause I feel very strongly about. A chunk of my monthly salary goes to Shelter, and I pick up the Big Issue when I can. Next time you see someone selling it I'd recommend that if you have time don't just buy a copy and stuff it in your bag - stop and have a chat with the vendor if you have the time: you may well be surprised to find how they ended up in their situation. There but for the grace of God go I.
Is it because, as a nation we never, ever vote for the people proposing to tax the rich and giving to the poor?
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Wtf.... I can't see anything there that makes any sense. Why would i try and pin this one on the current government, there have been homeless, and bad social commentary since Dickensian times, and i'm sure ther was social commentary before then too
So homeless people are to do with the widening gap between the rich and the poor. First off we can attribute a large amount of that to nonsense, as there are ment to be functioning schemes to provide the poor not only with accomodation, but living expensis. If your definition of someone who's homeless was "only able to afford basic channels on SKY" then yes the gap between rich and poor might well be relivant. As it stands i don't think you can honestly say it is.
Which brings up the question, why are these people been failed by the social state we all pay into to help provide for the chance that people suffer disruptive events...
First off, there are a lot of homeless people who do themself little in the way of favours, this isn't to say all, but easily to say a lot. For instance i work in Belgravia (upmarket part of london) when i've got to be in early say 6:30 am our time, its amazing how many homeless people there are camping in the doorways of incredibly expensive buildings, yes you could say that illustraites a gap between the rich and the poor, but that would also imply that anyone who can't afford a £3M flat is poor.
Moving onto the point, the vast majority of these people are incredibly rude and abusive to the people who's job it is to open up these buildings. Very often they are still drunk too. Such behavior doesn't endear yourself to soceity. The rate of early morning comuter drink fueled violent crime got so bad the police have actively started clamping down now.
So you can't tar everyone with the same brush, it seams there are too many people who you simply wouldn't send a social worker near un-escorted, this is sadly what the police + CSOs are doing now, most of the homeless there don't speak english, so there are 4 man teams, 1 translator (volenteer), 1 socail worker, 1 PC, 1 CSO.
Is it a simple case of these people been over stretched? Yes. But they face hudge problems with actively disruptive cases slowing down their rate of help, last time i was speaking to them. But the point to note is there is the help there, its often slowed down by the nature of so many people they treat been mentally ill, and as such not what you would call helpful.Actually it dosen't really work like that if we have a true democracy, people do vote for parties that claim to take from the rich to give to the poor, its just they don't take from the super rich because they have to much power, they actually need this power to balance out the fact most people vote with their selfish interest democratically, an example would be voting against tax breaks that attract companies, but the big rich company man can use power/influance/bribary to get their extra sway.
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I never give anything due to being a good tight Scotsman!
Some of the truest words out there!There but for the grace of God go I.
What????First off, there are a lot of homeless people who do themself little in the way of favours, this isn't to say all, but easily to say a lot. For instance i work in Belgravia (upmarket part of london) when i've got to be in early say 6:30 am our time, its amazing how many homeless people there are camping in the doorways of incredibly expensive buildings, yes you could say that illustraites a gap between the rich and the poor, but that would also imply that anyone who can't afford a £3M flat is poor.
There may well be some homeless people that dont help themselves.
There are also a MASSIVE number that are there simply through bad luck or bad choice.
Also, Belgravia has sod all to do with it! These people probably sleep there becuase:
a) They feel safer as its a posh part of town
b). The people that step over them (such as yourself) have more in their pocket so if one of them is fortunate enough to be given something, its likely to be a little more.
As rich as you always profess you are, you are not beyond losing everything and maybe you should remember that. Leading a priviledged life, whether gained through hard work or silver spoons isn't a lifetime guarantee.
Im not knocking you for doing well. Thats great and many would love your undoubtedly great lifestyle.
I can also be 100% positive, whether it be alot or a little bit, sometime in your life you have had a leg up. Everyone has. Just some need more of a leg up than others.
To say that these people have 'bought it upon themselves' or are 'mentally disturbed' (which is definitely what you hint at), is a very sorry state of affairs and shows how protected the bubble you live in really is.
Last edited by Blitzen; 19-11-2008 at 05:04 PM.
Some probably have brought their situation on themselves. Some DEFINITELY have mental health issues. I'll dig out some stats re. the latter later if needs be.
The problem with a lot of people's attitudes is that these mental health issues are used as an excuse to not care: these people need help. Again, all it takes is for you to place yourselves in their shoes and ask how you'd like to be treated.
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