Do you spare change for the homeless?
Discussion
FredClogs said:
BrabusMog said:
I was waiting for someone near Reading station last summer and a homeless guy sat down with an empty cup and started his routine. Within 15 minutes he'd got over £20 and I know this is true because another "homeless" guy came up to him to ask what he'd got and then said something along the lines of "OK cool, we should have enough as he's getting on well around the corner."
After witnessing that little spectacle, I will never hand out change to homeless people again.
I don't understand this. What is your point? That you won't give to beggars because other people do? Of that you don't like the idea of homeless people communicating with each other?After witnessing that little spectacle, I will never hand out change to homeless people again.
BrabusMog said:
FredClogs said:
BrabusMog said:
I was waiting for someone near Reading station last summer and a homeless guy sat down with an empty cup and started his routine. Within 15 minutes he'd got over £20 and I know this is true because another "homeless" guy came up to him to ask what he'd got and then said something along the lines of "OK cool, we should have enough as he's getting on well around the corner."
After witnessing that little spectacle, I will never hand out change to homeless people again.
I don't understand this. What is your point? That you won't give to beggars because other people do? Of that you don't like the idea of homeless people communicating with each other?After witnessing that little spectacle, I will never hand out change to homeless people again.
kin drugs I could get my hands on, it's no secret homeless people take drugs or in fact that most of them are mentally ill. I still don't get your point.Why is it a problem that they use the money to buy drugs? Because you can't tell really, can you? So either you give or you don't. Unless you propose some set of criteria and, if so, how can they be applied? A questionnaire? An interview? So you end up giving to no-one on the basis that some beggars might be buying drugs with the money. Personally I don't care what the money I give is spent on. If it ends up being blazed up in a pipe then so be it. Once the money changes hands it's no longer mine. Pure Victorian old maid tactics on this thread. I know full well that the pipe is the likely destination of any donation. But it's charity - it comes with no implied return, nor should it.
vixen1700 said:
ManFromDelmonte said:
Kermit power said:
some pointless, drugged up peasant on a street corner.
Baryonyx said:
I'd rather throw my last coin down a drain than give it to some drugged up criminal vagrant.
Wow
I can't be arsed with coppers, so any I get in change will go straight into a worthwhile charity box on a shop counter (Cancer Research, Air Ambulance, etc).
When I choose to actively donate a larger amount, rather than just getting shot of coppers, that's equally going to go to someone deserving. Those I most often give to are H4H, the RNIB, British Legion and Surrey Wildlife Trust.
I'm not, under any circumstances, giving cash to some smelly oik in the street.
BrabusMog said:
Well if you're happy to give money away that is going to be spent on drugs then fair enough and this is coming from someone who has a pretty liberal attitude towards drugs - I'm not sure why my own thoughts on the matter bother you so much?
They don't. I was just trying to understand your reasoning. I still can't.Kermit power said:
Why should I care about them?
I can't be arsed with coppers, so any I get in change will go straight into a worthwhile charity box on a shop counter (Cancer Research, Air Ambulance, etc).
When I choose to actively donate a larger amount, rather than just getting shot of coppers, that's equally going to go to someone deserving. Those I most often give to are H4H, the RNIB, British Legion and Surrey Wildlife Trust.
I'm not, under any circumstances, giving cash to some smelly oik in the street.
You don't have to 'give cash' or even care that much retain your humanity. I can't be arsed with coppers, so any I get in change will go straight into a worthwhile charity box on a shop counter (Cancer Research, Air Ambulance, etc).
When I choose to actively donate a larger amount, rather than just getting shot of coppers, that's equally going to go to someone deserving. Those I most often give to are H4H, the RNIB, British Legion and Surrey Wildlife Trust.
I'm not, under any circumstances, giving cash to some smelly oik in the street.
Your original comment demonstrates little of it!
FredClogs said:
BrabusMog said:
Well if you're happy to give money away that is going to be spent on drugs then fair enough and this is coming from someone who has a pretty liberal attitude towards drugs - I'm not sure why my own thoughts on the matter bother you so much?
They don't. I was just trying to understand your reasoning. I still can't.I don't like being lied to, which these homeless people do. I don't just give out money to people so that they can go socialising, these homeless people receive that. It's not a job, it's just taking money from people so they can lead their chaotic lives. f
k them. I do feel genuinely sorry for the very small percentage of homeless people who have a genuine reason for being on the streets but the majority of people I've seen begging in Reading during the day are not out in the town past midnight so they must have somewhere to stay.
Rotaree said:
And a bit more, from a person thoroughly qualified to talk on the topic,http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1416856/Big...
I don't because there's too many scammers begging on the street before going home to their nice flat.
When I choose to help these people (who I genuinely believe need it) I donate to a homeless charity to ensure the money is spent properly.
Why do they always have a dog aswell? Surely looking after yourself is difficult enough on the streets without adding another mouth to feed in the shape of a dog...
When I choose to help these people (who I genuinely believe need it) I donate to a homeless charity to ensure the money is spent properly.
Why do they always have a dog aswell? Surely looking after yourself is difficult enough on the streets without adding another mouth to feed in the shape of a dog...
ReallyReallyGood said:
In London the Pret sandwich shops donate most of their unused sandwiches to the homeless each day, so I don't expect the money they are 'raising' is going on food.
They say something along the lines of they'd rather give the food away than sell it the next da . Reality is that unsold food is thrown away. Rather like a lot of supermarket foodKermit power said:
vixen1700 said:
ManFromDelmonte said:
Kermit power said:
some pointless, drugged up peasant on a street corner.
Baryonyx said:
I'd rather throw my last coin down a drain than give it to some drugged up criminal vagrant.
WowI can't be arsed with coppers, so any I get in change will go straight into a worthwhile charity box on a shop counter (Cancer Research, Air Ambulance, etc).
When I choose to actively donate a larger amount, rather than just getting shot of coppers, that's equally going to go to someone deserving. Those I most often give to are H4H, the RNIB, British Legion and Surrey Wildlife Trust.
I'm not, under any circumstances, giving cash to some smelly oik in the street.
I never give them money, they'll only spend it on tabs and booze anyway.
I once collected up the left over pizza from a night out with mates, knowing that the beggars stood on the bridge over the river. Upon giving the sizeable collection, the ungrateful barsteward said "I don't like Hawaiian, why isn't there any Pepperoni.
Suffice to say, I've never done it since.
I once collected up the left over pizza from a night out with mates, knowing that the beggars stood on the bridge over the river. Upon giving the sizeable collection, the ungrateful barsteward said "I don't like Hawaiian, why isn't there any Pepperoni.
Suffice to say, I've never done it since.
Kermit power said:
DoubleSix said:
You don't have to 'give cash' or even care that much retain your humanity.
Your original comment demonstrates little of it!
I'm perfectly comfortable with my humanity, thanks. I just choose to focus it on people and causes who are worthy of it.Your original comment demonstrates little of it!
FredClogs said:
I'm not a soft touch by any means, I just appreciate how lucky I am and how unlucky some other people are, life is a lottery.
My thougts entirely. I always think that a fiver means FA to me, if Im flush I wont even notice it. However to somebody with nothing, £5 can mean a lot....I also believe in Karma, maybe one day if I need it somebody will help me!!!
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