Beggars, give'em money yes or no

Freefaller · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:03

I once offered to buy a beggar a cup of tea instead as I was going to buy one anyway, but they said they'd rather have the money. I rather glibly "beggars cannot be choosers". That didn't go down too well.

I didn't mean to gloat or be nasty, but surely they'd appreciate some food or a drink?

I do feel sorry for them, but unfortunately there are too many people that cannot be trusted, and I can't afford to help everyone - so, as selfish as it sounds, I keep it to myself.

gronbek · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:06

@Freefaller, If I where you I would feel good about myself, at least you offered food.

On Holiday · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:09

They have to work for their money. 20 push ups, no pausing.

shroomz · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:10

gronbek said:
What I meant was the recently escalation of foreign beggars mostly romanians. So with that in mind perhaps the answer is a little bit different.

In that case, hell no.

XeNoN89 · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:11

I saw one the other day sitting next to a busy cash point and asking every single person who got cash out for change. She either didn't realise cash points do not give change, or was expecting a note.

gronbek · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:11

shroomz said:
In that case, hell no.

So you believe its a organized network and not individual families that need genuine help? We have not had these romanians in Sweden before on this scale

scorza · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:14

gronbek said:
So you believe its a organized network and not individual families that need genuine help? We have not had these romanians in Sweden before on this scale

Almost certainly Roma gypsies mate, Europe's oldest and most established criminal enterprise. They'll be behind the inevitable rise in pickpocketing crimes in Sweden also.

SMN · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:19

No, sod em frankly. I love how they have the audacity to ask for money at a cash point - i have no change clearly, hence why i am here.

dirtychinchilla · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:26

It depends how I'm feeling at the time, and whether I've got cash on me. I like to give them money - if I can spare a £1 that may (or even may not) improve their lives, then they can have it. £1 is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I generally wouldn't give them any more money though, and the more annoying the are, the less chance they have of receiving anything.

The fact is, if they live on the streets, their life is a hell of a lot worse than mine, and if I can make a tiny gesture to improve that, I will.

COYS · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:32

I got asked when out jogging at the weekend. :confused:

Trifid · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:37

No. I don't give money away to people on the streets (including charity workers).

Tenuous · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:37

No.

Better to donate to a charity providing food and shelter.

anything I don't mind · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:38

I was eating mcdonalds at oxford street a while a go and it was in the middle of winter and there was a guy begging at the tables and trying to make everyone feel guilty. I told him no and i took exception to him trying to make me feel guilty so i swore at him quite loudly.

Unicorn · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:42

Yes, But its only a 99p cheeseburger if its one i genuinely do feel sorry for. The last homeless man who used to beg here is gone though he got kidnapped and his body cut up and dumped in various places of Grimsby.. No word of a lie look it up, Maybe people don't like homeless people here

Robinhood · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:42

I give money to street performers.

dowie · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:44

tend to give them money if I see them late at night when I'm drunk - at that point I can hardly say 'they'll only spend it on drugs and alcohol' as that's exactly what I was going to do with the cash myself... though in general you probably shouldn't give them anything and instead give to shelter etc...

Efour · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:44

Yeah the guilt trip in your face beggars can P off.
Years back, before they were banned, there was a gang of Romania type women with an army of kids in tow working the tube around Tottenham court road - Oxford street. Shoving their babies in your face, getting their kiddy horde to hang onto your coat tails.
Used the F word plenty "off" times.

last few times ive been begged from is people asking for a quid for the bus.. Then watching them do it to every single person in the queue.

Yeah i feel guilty not helping genuine people.

4T5 · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:44

yer_averagejoe · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:45

dirtychinchilla said:
It depends how I'm feeling at the time, and whether I've got cash on me. I like to give them money - if I can spare a £1 that may (or even may not) improve their lives, then they can have it. £1 is nothing in the grand scheme of things. I generally wouldn't give them any more money though, and the more annoying the are, the less chance they have of receiving anything.

The fact is, if they live on the streets, their life is a hell of a lot worse than mine, and if I can make a tiny gesture to improve that, I will.

This.

I give a quid away maybe twice a month with genuine people out there who need help, who am I to judge who's going to use it or waste it.

I used to be in the "I'd rather give money to a homeless charity" camp, but never actually singed up to a charity (nor would I want to now).

NZB · 4 Sep 2013 at 13:46

We've got one who has sat outside Tesco for years. I don't give him anything as i figure if he can afford the staffordshire terrier that's always with him then he can afford food. I don't believe for one minute he's homeless and has needed to beg for all these years.