Do you spare change for the homeless?
Discussion
offshorematt2 said:
Frimley111R said:
My cousin is homeless in London.......I have only ben in touch in he last few years through facebook and he seems ok tbh...
Genuinely curious here. Have I got this right - he is homeless but has internet access? Not judging and appreciate that it doesn't necessarily mean he's got the latest iPhone; he might just be using the public library after all...but living on the street and still bothering with social media? Seems very strange priorities is all.All IMHO:
walm said:
I find it slightly odd that people object to the homeless spending any of their panhandling income on legal pleasures such as booze and fags.
It's as if it would be acceptable if they were buying say the full line up of the Man Booker Prize nominee books instead.
It would be more acceptable to me - they would be expanding their mind, improving their literacy, maybe improving chances of a job rather than reducing them - and why is reading not a pleasure?It's as if it would be acceptable if they were buying say the full line up of the Man Booker Prize nominee books instead.
walm said:
Somehow the "sins" of drinking and smoking are simply not permitted for homeless people? It's MORE morally wrong for them?
I only buy such things once I have earned enough money to pay for the home, heating and food and other real necessities for my family; if I didn't have enough money to do both I would not buy booze/fags/etc. And I work for this money and pay taxes rather rely on the state/begging so why shouldn't beggars do the same?walm said:
Should they stop begging each day when they have enough to cover the calorie and fluid intake they need to survive for 24 hours?
Yes!Not everyone who's homeless and asking for change is a drug addict and/or alcoholic. Just as not all homeless are there because of their own actions.
I may not always give them whatever shrapnel is in my pocket, but I will often buy them a pastie or sandwich.
I'm lucky, I have a home and a bed. It doesn't hurt to have a bit of humility and acknowledge that sometimes.
I may not always give them whatever shrapnel is in my pocket, but I will often buy them a pastie or sandwich.
I'm lucky, I have a home and a bed. It doesn't hurt to have a bit of humility and acknowledge that sometimes.
walm said:
soad said:
That lot won't ask for pocket change.
Right - so to be clear - the homeless are allowed to beg, so long as they spend the money on basic sustenance/shelter.Any pleasurable and perfectly legal pursuits aren't permitted.
k they want, but they won't be getting cash from me.
soad said:
No, I don't.
Had a Big Issue seller mouthing off (and chasing me in town) for daring to ignore him!
Pesky unfortunate fkers! 
All you had to do was say "no thanks" when offered a copy of the BI. It's not really that hard… and good manners cost nothing.Had a Big Issue seller mouthing off (and chasing me in town) for daring to ignore him!
Pesky unfortunate f
kers! If you are ever in the position to have a chat with a homeless person, ask him/her what really pisses them off. I can pretty much guarantee that they will say that it's people ignoring them.
Faust66 said:
All you had to do was say "no thanks" when offered a copy of the BI. It's not really that hard… and good manners cost nothing.
If you are ever in the position to have a chat with a homeless person, ask him/her what really pisses them off. I can pretty much guarantee that they will say that it's people ignoring them.
But why does anyone have to speak to them?If you are ever in the position to have a chat with a homeless person, ask him/her what really pisses them off. I can pretty much guarantee that they will say that it's people ignoring them.
I get pissed off by them asking me for change, hence I ignore them. If I were to get "aggresive" towards them because they have annoyed me by talking to me, this would make me an arse hole just like most of them.
Couple years ago, there was a homeless chap with a burned/melted face - ex army perhaps, also missing both arms. So yes, I have sympathy in some cases.
But I no longer give cash - stickered up coffee loyalty card is as good as it gets. No harm in finding suitable food items from the shopping bag either.
But I no longer give cash - stickered up coffee loyalty card is as good as it gets. No harm in finding suitable food items from the shopping bag either.
Only blind luck has put me here. And, I've been close to there - saved by nothing other than fortune. I have long term friends who are in and out of hostels and cheap hotels, who spend nights on the streets, and I do what I can for them, drugs or no drugs. If some of you knew, even vaguely, how hard it is to get out of that situation once you are in it then, believe me, you would not be spouting such utter cobblers left right and centre. If you cannot see a connection between the lottery of birth and the likelihood of becoming homeless then you are, quite frankly, very stupid.
Purity14 said:
I live in Liverpool city centre...
...but ALL of them are wearing more expensive trainers than me.
And their shell suits?...but ALL of them are wearing more expensive trainers than me.
chilistrucker said:
Story featuring a small snippet about a tramp not verbally showing gratitude that was by no means the main thrust of the story.
Perhaps he was a proponent of the theory of true altruism and didn't want to tarnish the purity of your altruism by implying you expected explicit thanks.A mate of mine was staying in another city one weekend and on returning to his hotel at night got approached by a female "tramp". He looked her up and down and said "Do you fancy a shower and a bowl of soup?". Apparently she said yes and he ended up banging her... after the shower and before the soup, I imagine. Sounds made up but the situations this mate has been in that I've witnessed would often be unbelievable had I heard them second-hand. That one is a tame one.
Edited by Landlord on Thursday 23 October 12:21
boobles said:
Faust66 said:
All you had to do was say "no thanks" when offered a copy of the BI. It's not really that hard… and good manners cost nothing.
If you are ever in the position to have a chat with a homeless person, ask him/her what really pisses them off. I can pretty much guarantee that they will say that it's people ignoring them.
But why does anyone have to speak to them?If you are ever in the position to have a chat with a homeless person, ask him/her what really pisses them off. I can pretty much guarantee that they will say that it's people ignoring them.
I get pissed off by them asking me for change, hence I ignore them. If I were to get "aggresive" towards them because they have annoyed me by talking to me, this would make me an arse hole just like most of them.
Look at it this way though: smartly dressed chap in a suit comes up to you and asks you for the time/directions to the railway station/for a light/whatever. Do you immediately oblige with the request if possible or just ignore him?
Do you only talk to people you think are 'equal' to you?
If being pissed off by people asking for spare change is the worst thing that happens to you on a daily basis then you clearly have a better life than a lot of people out there… homeless or otherwise.
Faust66 said:
boobles said:
Faust66 said:
All you had to do was say "no thanks" when offered a copy of the BI. It's not really that hard… and good manners cost nothing.
If you are ever in the position to have a chat with a homeless person, ask him/her what really pisses them off. I can pretty much guarantee that they will say that it's people ignoring them.
But why does anyone have to speak to them?If you are ever in the position to have a chat with a homeless person, ask him/her what really pisses them off. I can pretty much guarantee that they will say that it's people ignoring them.
I get pissed off by them asking me for change, hence I ignore them. If I were to get "aggresive" towards them because they have annoyed me by talking to me, this would make me an arse hole just like most of them.
Look at it this way though: smartly dressed chap in a suit comes up to you and asks you for the time/directions to the railway station/for a light/whatever. Do you immediately oblige with the request if possible or just ignore him?
Do you only talk to people you think are 'equal' to you?
If being pissed off by people asking for spare change is the worst thing that happens to you on a daily basis then you clearly have a better life than a lot of people out there… homeless or otherwise.
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