Homelessness.

[elfbert]

Just went out and got a Sub (as mentioned in previous post) No other takeaway in the UK gives you as much salad as a sub. Admittedly I have it stuck between two slabs of bread, with veggie patties and mayo, but y'know, it's still tonnes of salad

Comments

[qzee]

if they are respectful (not mean/cursing/trying to intimidate me) I ask why they want the money. If for coffee/food and I have enough on hand to buy them something I buy them something. Once the guy wanted money so he could call his family (or so he said) I went into a confectionary store with him, got a $5 "use at a payphone card" and bought it for him. I try to avoid giving money.

The only exceptions to the no money rule are those who put forth an effort. Like the person who told me part of a joke and said he'd tell me the punchline for a dollar. Or the guy I see occasionally playing a Japanese violin thingy really, really well. Or the young woman who was playing her guitar and singing reasonably well.

And the other exceptions are for those I see who are seniors and asking for money. I always give them a dollar or two when I can.

[draycevixen]

As long as my "spidey senses" don't scream danger warnings at me and if they ask for money for *food* I'll give them some.

I've been told by more people than I care to remember that I'm a fool for giving them money, that "they'll just use it to by drugs" and that I'm an idiot... or even worse "s/he should just get a job."

Well, I don't feel like an idiot, I give them money for food IF they choose to spend it on something else then that's a different sort of sad.

Oh and PLEASE, I'd really appreciate if it no one now attempts to link me to an article about how "professional" beggars are making fortunes off gullible people like me. I've already received enough of those too.

I've never been homeless *touch wood* but I've been poor and I've been hungry despite having an excellent education and great job skills. I used to work with women's shelters too and know how close many people are to being homeless. Too. Damn. Many.

Sorry... mini-rant.

[icudoc]

Like Drace usually if they ask without an aggressive attitude I give them any spare cash. At the end of the day, if they are homeless, on the street and want to buy booze or whatever then if that's what they need to get through the night who am I to judge.

[nx_01hreod]

I buy the Big Issue, and I sometimes give to buskers. But no, I don't give to beggars - the ones I see usually have a can or two of beer or cider anyway, and because of the likelihood of their being professional beggars. I feel sorry for the genuinely homeless, but I'm not sure giving money on the street really helps. I'd rather give to organisations trying to combat the problem - of homelessness, not of beggars!

[the_moonmoth]

I always make eye contact, because I don't want to dehumanise anybody, and sometimes exchange a few words, but I don't ever give money. Sometimes I will buy food, however. It's a difficult one, though. I often feel it would be better to give to charity, and let the experts deal with it in the best way.