Do you spare change for the homeless?
Discussion
So if you're in a city or large town, do you spare change for the homeless?
If yes, how do you determine which ones you give to, or do you just give to them all? How much do you usually throw in their pot?
If no, why is this? Assumptions that what you give them won't be spent in the interest of their well-being? Feel threatened by them? Just turn into the typical blinkered "too busy" city commuter? Feel awkward at a confrontation?
It's an interesting one, I only ask as I was sat outside at a south-east London pub with mates, and a young guy obviously down on his luck was approaching tables asking for change. Now we're all well-educated, compassionate guys but unanimously we made the minimum contact with him, a brief "sorry, mate" and continued with our conversation. It just made me think, and would be interested to hear others' thoughts.
If yes, how do you determine which ones you give to, or do you just give to them all? How much do you usually throw in their pot?
If no, why is this? Assumptions that what you give them won't be spent in the interest of their well-being? Feel threatened by them? Just turn into the typical blinkered "too busy" city commuter? Feel awkward at a confrontation?
It's an interesting one, I only ask as I was sat outside at a south-east London pub with mates, and a young guy obviously down on his luck was approaching tables asking for change. Now we're all well-educated, compassionate guys but unanimously we made the minimum contact with him, a brief "sorry, mate" and continued with our conversation. It just made me think, and would be interested to hear others' thoughts.
My mrs is a very compassionate sort, a nurse by profession.
Yesterday she bought a sandwich and a coffee for a vulnerable guy sleeping rough.
"No thanks, got any spare change?" Was the response....
She was totally dumbfounded, and admittedly a little naive to level of dependence most of these people suffer with.
I'm far more hardened sadly, rarely feel moved to give these days as keeping my own family finances together is so damn hard. When things were easier I would often give away change or more...
Yesterday she bought a sandwich and a coffee for a vulnerable guy sleeping rough.
"No thanks, got any spare change?" Was the response....
She was totally dumbfounded, and admittedly a little naive to level of dependence most of these people suffer with.
I'm far more hardened sadly, rarely feel moved to give these days as keeping my own family finances together is so damn hard. When things were easier I would often give away change or more...
No, I generally don't give them anything.
I have worked in the social housing sector for 7 years and based on that I don't give them money, instead I start telling them about all the hostels and council accommodation that currently have spare capacity, and asking them if they have tried those places today.
I usually get a load of excuses as to why they haven't tried any of the hostels, and some of the reasons have validity, but more often then not they just want the money so they can get a couple if cans of Special Brew or a joint.
I have worked in the social housing sector for 7 years and based on that I don't give them money, instead I start telling them about all the hostels and council accommodation that currently have spare capacity, and asking them if they have tried those places today.
I usually get a load of excuses as to why they haven't tried any of the hostels, and some of the reasons have validity, but more often then not they just want the money so they can get a couple if cans of Special Brew or a joint.
Edited by NinjaPower on Tuesday 14th October 12:31
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.
WowMental illness, trauma, perhaps the loss of a loved one all has the potential to send us on a downward spiral. Not everyone has a support network to fall back on or the self worth to drag themselves up from the gutter should they find themselves there.
I did some volunteering in the summer at a soup kitchen. Free hot breakfast, no questions asked, no judgement made.
As it was a nice day, very few homeless turned up. We had to throw the food away. Couldn't even give free food away....
Does make you think. More so if you are the cynical sort.
As it was a nice day, very few homeless turned up. We had to throw the food away. Couldn't even give free food away....
Does make you think. More so if you are the cynical sort.
I was approached a few weeks back his line being he was 50p short for his hostel that night. I felt like walking him to his hostel and handing them the 50p I wish I had now to see if he was telling a lie. I would also have had a better story for this thread I usually just say sorry mate.
Occasionally, if I have some loose change and the thought occurs then yes I will.
Prefer the idea though which some cafes etc have where you can for example buy yourself a coffee and pay for one as a lay away for when someone homeless comes in looking for a hot drink.
Always look for a charity box when I'm given my change to throw the coppers and 5p's into though.
Prefer the idea though which some cafes etc have where you can for example buy yourself a coffee and pay for one as a lay away for when someone homeless comes in looking for a hot drink.
Always look for a charity box when I'm given my change to throw the coppers and 5p's into though.
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