Do you spare change for the homeless?
Discussion
DoubleSix said:
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!
Even if I won a triple rollover lottery jackpot, I still wouldn't have enough spare cash to give to the worthless scum who hassle people on the streets of London every day.
Worthwhile charities such as shelter provide as much as they can for the truly needy homeless. Just think how much more they could provide if the well meaning deluded gave their spare cash to them rather than giving it to the aggressive, manipulative w
kers out begging? It might even get spent on something other than Crack, Smack or booze!All the anecdotes other posters have given about these tossers spurning food or other offerings because they're not cash aren't the exception on the streets of London, they are the rule!
Ali Chappussy said:
Why do a lot of homeless people have dogs? I would have thought it would have been hard enough to feed yourself without having to worry about feeding a dog as well.
I suspect that a)they're lonely and b)horribly people have much more compassion for animals than other humans and therefore it is probably more profitable.Kermit power said:
DoubleSix said:
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!
Even if I won a triple rollover lottery jackpot, I still wouldn't have enough spare cash to give to the worthless scum who hassle people on the streets of London every day.
Worthwhile charities such as shelter provide as much as they can for the truly needy homeless. Just think how much more they could provide if the well meaning deluded gave their spare cash to them rather than giving it to the aggressive, manipulative w
kers out begging? It might even get spent on something other than Crack, Smack or booze!All the anecdotes other posters have given about these tossers spurning food or other offerings because they're not cash aren't the exception on the streets of London, they are the rule!
However, I haven't lost sight of the fact that these people were once (hopefully still are) someone's precious child, have perhaps suffered more in their lifetimes than you could ever imagine and are humans like you and I.
It's retaining that perspective that defines humanity. Not giving them money or supporting their habit, just not de-humanising them with terms such as "peasant", "scum" etc etc
Muzzer79 said:
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...
I agree that there are a lot of scammers out there, but many are genuine and coul d just really be down on their luck. I think in most cases the dog is purely a friend and maybe the only 1 they have.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...
A few years ago I was working out of Felixstowe docks all week long, and when I was running low on supplies in the truck I'd pull in and shop at Tescos Ipswich. There was a tramp and his dog living in the woods out the back and the first time I noticed him he was picking up fag butts for baccy and nosing through the bins for grub.
I did my shopping and grabbed him a few bits and a couple of tins of dog food and gave them to him on the way out. He was filthy dirty and just looked at me blankly when I gave him the bag, but he never said a word.
I did this on and off for a year, I never once saw him beg, and in all the times I dropped a bag off for him and his dog he never once uttered a word but I think he was grateful.
This would of been about 2005/2006 I think, but then the job changed and I didn't get up there anymore.
Don't know if the old boy and dog are still there.
I'd still do the same today, but would be dubious of giving cash to any of them.
chilistrucker said:
I agree that there are a lot of scammers out there, but many are genuine and coul d just really be down on their luck. I think in most cases the dog is purely a friend and maybe the only 1 they have.
A few years ago I was working out of Felixstowe docks all week long, and when I was running low on supplies in the truck I'd pull in and shop at Tescos Ipswich. There was a tramp and his dog living in the woods out the back and the first time I noticed him he was picking up fag butts for baccy and nosing through the bins for grub.
I did my shopping and grabbed him a few bits and a couple of tins of dog food and gave them to him on the way out. He was filthy dirty and just looked at me blankly when I gave him the bag, but he never said a word.
I did this on and off for a year, I never once saw him beg, and in all the times I dropped a bag off for him and his dog he never once uttered a word but I think he was grateful.
This would of been about 2005/2006 I think, but then the job changed and I didn't get up there anymore.
Don't know if the old boy and dog are still there.
I'd still do the same today, but would be dubious of giving cash to any of them.
poor guy never had a tin opener , the dog starved to deathA few years ago I was working out of Felixstowe docks all week long, and when I was running low on supplies in the truck I'd pull in and shop at Tescos Ipswich. There was a tramp and his dog living in the woods out the back and the first time I noticed him he was picking up fag butts for baccy and nosing through the bins for grub.
I did my shopping and grabbed him a few bits and a couple of tins of dog food and gave them to him on the way out. He was filthy dirty and just looked at me blankly when I gave him the bag, but he never said a word.
I did this on and off for a year, I never once saw him beg, and in all the times I dropped a bag off for him and his dog he never once uttered a word but I think he was grateful.
This would of been about 2005/2006 I think, but then the job changed and I didn't get up there anymore.
Don't know if the old boy and dog are still there.
I'd still do the same today, but would be dubious of giving cash to any of them.
steveo3002 said:
chilistrucker said:
I agree that there are a lot of scammers out there, but many are genuine and coul d just really be down on their luck. I think in most cases the dog is purely a friend and maybe the only 1 they have.
A few years ago I was working out of Felixstowe docks all week long, and when I was running low on supplies in the truck I'd pull in and shop at Tescos Ipswich. There was a tramp and his dog living in the woods out the back and the first time I noticed him he was picking up fag butts for baccy and nosing through the bins for grub.
I did my shopping and grabbed him a few bits and a couple of tins of dog food and gave them to him on the way out. He was filthy dirty and just looked at me blankly when I gave him the bag, but he never said a word.
I did this on and off for a year, I never once saw him beg, and in all the times I dropped a bag off for him and his dog he never once uttered a word but I think he was grateful.
This would of been about 2005/2006 I think, but then the job changed and I didn't get up there anymore.
Don't know if the old boy and dog are still there.
I'd still do the same today, but would be dubious of giving cash to any of them.
poor guy never had a tin opener , the dog starved to deathA few years ago I was working out of Felixstowe docks all week long, and when I was running low on supplies in the truck I'd pull in and shop at Tescos Ipswich. There was a tramp and his dog living in the woods out the back and the first time I noticed him he was picking up fag butts for baccy and nosing through the bins for grub.
I did my shopping and grabbed him a few bits and a couple of tins of dog food and gave them to him on the way out. He was filthy dirty and just looked at me blankly when I gave him the bag, but he never said a word.
I did this on and off for a year, I never once saw him beg, and in all the times I dropped a bag off for him and his dog he never once uttered a word but I think he was grateful.
This would of been about 2005/2006 I think, but then the job changed and I didn't get up there anymore.
Don't know if the old boy and dog are still there.
I'd still do the same today, but would be dubious of giving cash to any of them.
Funnily enough he also never looked that happy when I gave him my old portable tv from the truck.
Ali Chappussy said:
Another thought.
Why do a lot of homeless people have dogs? I would have thought it would have been hard enough to feed yourself without having to worry about feeding a dog as well.
I've always had dogs. They're socialised, trained, and all have been fairly disobedient, despite a good diet and lots of care.Why do a lot of homeless people have dogs? I would have thought it would have been hard enough to feed yourself without having to worry about feeding a dog as well.
Homeless people, on the other hand, always have really obedient dogs that sit under blankets, never move, and make goo goo eyes to assist with their begging.
I have come to the conclusion that the only explanation for the above is that they share their heroin with their dogs.
I'll normally give the local homeless men/women a couple of quid. If they want to spend it on alcohol or drugs then that's their own business… if I was sleeping rough at this time of year, I'd probably want a bottle or something or other to keep the cold out.
Buying a homeless person food is a bit patronising IMO: if you chose to give them money then that's your choice. Once that money has left your hand then you've got no say as to how they spend it.
I used to be mates with a bloke who spent a fair bit of time on the streets… it certainly opened my eyes up as some of the things he told me were pretty shocking and there is no way I'd want to be in some of the situations he found himself in. Long story short: he lost his job, fell out with his missus who kicked him out of the house, didn't get on with his family so ended up begging and met a few dodgy people when he was at a low ebb… it really could happen to anyone, even the company director types on here - so show a bit of sympathy for those less fortunate than you, and maybe spare them a thought when you're tucked up in your nice warm bed tonight.
Poor sod died of an overdose a few years ago. Real shame as he was a very bright guy who made a few mistakes (as we all do in our 20s) and lost a decent career, most of his friends and in the end it cost him his life.
There may be a few who take the piss, but don't go believing what the daily wail tells you about beggars with loads of cash piled up in a mansion, or them all having iphones and flash cars. We all find ways of not feeling guilty, don't we?
I shall raise a glass to Mark's memory tonight. I think about him a fair bit as I'm rapidly approaching my 40th birthday… even though I'm far from wealthy,I've been lucky in life. He wasn't. And that was the only real difference between us.
Buying a homeless person food is a bit patronising IMO: if you chose to give them money then that's your choice. Once that money has left your hand then you've got no say as to how they spend it.
I used to be mates with a bloke who spent a fair bit of time on the streets… it certainly opened my eyes up as some of the things he told me were pretty shocking and there is no way I'd want to be in some of the situations he found himself in. Long story short: he lost his job, fell out with his missus who kicked him out of the house, didn't get on with his family so ended up begging and met a few dodgy people when he was at a low ebb… it really could happen to anyone, even the company director types on here - so show a bit of sympathy for those less fortunate than you, and maybe spare them a thought when you're tucked up in your nice warm bed tonight.
Poor sod died of an overdose a few years ago. Real shame as he was a very bright guy who made a few mistakes (as we all do in our 20s) and lost a decent career, most of his friends and in the end it cost him his life.
There may be a few who take the piss, but don't go believing what the daily wail tells you about beggars with loads of cash piled up in a mansion, or them all having iphones and flash cars. We all find ways of not feeling guilty, don't we?
I shall raise a glass to Mark's memory tonight. I think about him a fair bit as I'm rapidly approaching my 40th birthday… even though I'm far from wealthy,I've been lucky in life. He wasn't. And that was the only real difference between us.
Reminds me of this great track
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ahlWufJqcSQ
I'm not a giver. Spent too many years working in town and seeing what these guys get up to. From the ones that's aren't homeless to the ones travelling in on the train and sitting outside the station on busy tourist days. There is help out there for those that want it.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ahlWufJqcSQ
I'm not a giver. Spent too many years working in town and seeing what these guys get up to. From the ones that's aren't homeless to the ones travelling in on the train and sitting outside the station on busy tourist days. There is help out there for those that want it.
Rotaree said:
It says:These highly addictive drugs cause an extreme deterioration in people’s health and even death.
Sounds like a reason to give them money, no?
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.
WowAre people aware that many of the homeless guys are ex soldiers.. Probably with mental issues?!
Tossers
jimbop1 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.
WowAre people aware that many of the homeless guys are ex soldiers.. Probably with mental issues?!
Tossers
wouldn't use the language some have to describe anyone in this situation though, bad form imho.
I never give them anything and frankly consider it daft to do so. There is lots of support out there both from charities and taxpayer funded so I feel I've given them more than enough already. That support will also provide what the genuine ones actually need rather than drugs, cigarettes and booze.
Seeing beggars with better mobile phones and shoes than me does make me somewhat dubious of their predicament too.
Seeing beggars with better mobile phones and shoes than me does make me somewhat dubious of their predicament too.
Never. Especially the Roma who litter the City.
But I will always buy them food and drink, even the dog, and get them a few extra bottles of water to go off with, if I have time.
Regardless of our opinion on the homeless, it could happen to anyone,so the kind act of a meal and a drink is small comfort to the genuine ones. If anything the "Chuggers" have put me off donating to any charity they represent.
But I will always buy them food and drink, even the dog, and get them a few extra bottles of water to go off with, if I have time.
Regardless of our opinion on the homeless, it could happen to anyone,so the kind act of a meal and a drink is small comfort to the genuine ones. If anything the "Chuggers" have put me off donating to any charity they represent.
There is a difference between being a beggar and being homeless.
Most of the beggars I've seen in Oxford/Regent Street are Eastern European and look as though that they had a wash the night before and wear 'clean' clothes. Now these characters, I wouldn't give them the steam off my piss. If they don't like it and want to be a professional beggar, bugger off home and do it there.
Most of the beggars I've seen in Oxford/Regent Street are Eastern European and look as though that they had a wash the night before and wear 'clean' clothes. Now these characters, I wouldn't give them the steam off my piss. If they don't like it and want to be a professional beggar, bugger off home and do it there.
mph1977 said:
as has been pointed out by the posters with experience of working with the groups of people - they often refuse food or assistance with securing emergency accomodation - becasue they don't need it - what they want is easy cash to spend on substance misuse
DO NOT GIVE THEM CASH -IT WILL (TRIPLE UNDERLINED) BE SPENT ON ALCOHOL, CRACK OR HEROIN
many street beggars are not homeless they are manipulative confidence tricksters earning effective hourly rates in the tens of pounds.
One bloke in London asked if I could spare him some money for booze. After ascertaining it wasn't going to be spent on anything noble like soup, I gave him a couple of quid for his honesty.DO NOT GIVE THEM CASH -IT WILL (TRIPLE UNDERLINED) BE SPENT ON ALCOHOL, CRACK OR HEROIN
many street beggars are not homeless they are manipulative confidence tricksters earning effective hourly rates in the tens of pounds.
Depends. I came across someone in New York last week who was clearly not in great shape. His dog was clearly in better condition than he was, and for that reason he got $10.
I took a few minutes to talk to him, and his story was frighteningly non-abnormal. Family guy, self-employed, business failed, couldn't sort himself financially, got thrown out of his house, hadn't seen his kids in a couple of years. Looked as though he had some substance issues, but whther that's a cause or effect I have no idea.
Said his dog was his only comfort, and found it a bit sad that people were happier to feed the dog than feed him. He could have been a great actor, obviously. Either way, I was glad to help and to buy him (and his dog!) something to eat from a street vendor.
I took a few minutes to talk to him, and his story was frighteningly non-abnormal. Family guy, self-employed, business failed, couldn't sort himself financially, got thrown out of his house, hadn't seen his kids in a couple of years. Looked as though he had some substance issues, but whther that's a cause or effect I have no idea.
Said his dog was his only comfort, and found it a bit sad that people were happier to feed the dog than feed him. He could have been a great actor, obviously. Either way, I was glad to help and to buy him (and his dog!) something to eat from a street vendor.
My cousin is homeless in London. He's in his late 40s and has spent his entire adult life there. I think he's probably slightly autistic but when he was growing up people didn't understand this and he was 'a bit dim/easily led'. I have only ben in touch in he last few years through facebook and he seems ok tbh, looks well fed, sells the big issue and follows demos (passively) and London 'eco villages'. Spare change would help him but he's not dependent on it and quite happy, it seems, living rough.
In spite of that I do find it hard to trust anyone homeless not to spend the money on beers, ciggies etc.
In spite of that I do find it hard to trust anyone homeless not to spend the money on beers, ciggies etc.
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