Beggars: Do you give them any money?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 15:48

Everywhere you go now in the world there are Beggars.



Do you walk on by or do you put something in the hat/tin?

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 15:54

Hiya Bill. I always give to beggars Charity collectors etc.Mind you once in Italy I gave to a beggar that appeared to have no legs. His mobile rang and it was top of the range one. He stood up and proceeded to walk down the street. I was gobsmacked. xx

sporty


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 685

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 15:56

9 times out of 10 i'll put my hand in my pocket for them,i know there are professional beggars that take the piss,but some people through circumstances out of their control fall on hard times so i'm always happy to give,i remember stooping down to this tramp on paddington station years ago,i virtually gave him all i had in my wallet and i told him to get himself cleaned up,he shook my hand,it also made me feel happy that i could help him whilst everybody else looked the other way as they walked past.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 15:58

What about the entertainers they have down tube stations, do you give them anything?



I have heard some of these entertainers can make up to £200 a day!!

sporty


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 685

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 16:01

nope i dont,entertainers choose to be there.

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 16:51

I always give to beggars because but for the grace of god ... I don't give to the charities because not much of it goes to the right ppl.

ROBnJO


Joined: 30/06/2008
Posts: 1289

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 17:50

John Bird, the founder of the Big Issue, himself once homeless, advises people NEVER to give money to beggars or apparently homeless people.



Most of them will be using money to feed their drug habit.



Give them food, coffee, clothing etc, but never money. Better still, he advises people to give to a Homeless Charity or Centre who will help to rehabilitate them.



Most buskers/entertainers on the Tube etc, are not homeless, they have to apply for a licence for their pitch and are often quite professional performers/students looking for extra income.



They often brighten up my journeys!

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 18:21

Sometimes I stop and ask the question why they are selling big issue or why are they sitting on the ground begging, sometimes not sure if what they say is true, but give to the big issue, very rarely give to someone sitting begging as they mostly are on drugs as ROBnJO say. Usually can tell by their look if on drugs etc. Big issue sellers are trying to get their life back on stream. The buskers I never give to, as usually not my choice of music ......

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 18:24

I cant walk pass I have to help where I can, as Dee says there for the grace of god

sheila

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 19:06

I way I look at it is ..if they buy drugs and it gets them through the night, who am I to judge, noone knows what their story is..I just give.

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 19:12

I never give cash - I always give my full McD's coffee/tea card to the first person I see when it is full - so they can get a hot drink, and if I see someone in obvious straitened circumstances will go off and buy a sandwich and go back and give it to them - one young man I used to see often, who was obviously camping in woods nearby - I filled a bag with blankets, tops, various bits and pieces and gave them to him - that sort of thing, but I would NEVER give money for the reasons stated above. Many years ago, I was PA to DG of Guide Dogs for the Blind - NEVER EVER AGAIN will I give to a Charity - it is astonishing, disgusting, unconscionable and indefensible how much is siphoned off for new Oak desks for the Conference room, top of the range Jags for the Directors, keeping a huge stocks and shares portfolio - et cetera before a penny is put aside for the purposes for which the Charity exists........

billyboy1


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 19:27

I always buy the big issue,



used to have a young homeless girl near my work that always asked for a cigarette, always gave her a few rather than the money to spent on drugs or booze, and if i went to the coffee shop, would always buy her some...she was always grateful...



Saw a prog a while ago about homeless people, it had me in tears....

Blackie


Joined: 20/12/2007
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
11/10/2009 17:08

I am not sure wether I am doing the right thing by giving beggars money, but the view I take is that most drug users fund their habit by crime. If by giving them a few coppers it means that someone gets to keep their car stereo its probably worth while. I have noticed an increae in the number of east europeans on the streets begging including women with infants, I have no problem with people coming to this country and contributing but I will keep my money for good old heart of oak british beggars.

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
11/10/2009 18:21

what a lot of softies, many are managed and your just funding some pimps lifestyle. also many make 200/300per week, whilst claiming benefits to.

roisin


Joined: 19/03/2009
Posts: 358

Message Posted:
11/10/2009 19:57

I usually give. I don't know if they are really desperate or not. I do know that I would have to be totally desperate and in great dispare to stand in the steet and ask for money. I just try to imagine how I would feel if it was me and that's why I give.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
11/10/2009 20:05

THERE BY GRACE OF GOD And i dxo apoligise fot caps xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
12/10/2009 01:05

I have been looking for a job lately,perhaps I shouldnt bother and take up being a beggar.By the sound of it,there enough silly people to keep me going as well.

basheer



Joined: 22/12/2008
Posts: 949

Message Posted:
12/10/2009 01:37

Hi the only time i give a begger money if he does not hold his hand up, they should be humble in thier need and not show demanding actions

denizen



Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
12/10/2009 08:28

It's the same for me as everything else in life. Depends how I feel at the time, sometimes I give, sometimes I don't. The only charity I never support is RSPCA.