Felt sorry for a tramp.

[bledd]

But he probably doesn't support stoke....which makes him better than you

I wasn't going to post in this thread, but that did make me chuckle

 

[Will]

Homelessness is an incredibly complex issue...

A significant proportion of homeless folk are claiming benefits of one kind or another, and a fair few would qualify to gain assistance from the council in terms of housing - there are actually very few people for whom the state provides absolutely nothing.

I have even met people in my line of work where homelessness is actually a *lifestyle choice*, rather than something enforced upon them. It sounds strange, but its true - the guy in question was an alcoholic who has been homeless for many years but refuses to go into a hostel because he doesn't want to associate or share space with drug addicts, nor does he want any treatment for his alcoholism. Sad fact is the majority of people I have worked with who are homeless do have problems with alcohol or drugs.

On the flip side there are occasions where 'the system' really does fail people - I've encountered a homeless peron who happens to have cancer and is undergoing radiotherapy, yet thet he council still rejected them as not being a priority case for help with housing. Just how ill/desparate do you have to be?

 

[Fuzz]

If I'm walking past a tramp begging and I've got loose change on me it usually goes in their cap on the way past. I do wonder sometimes what they spend it on and whether they really want to be there or not.
Half the time I think they have a Bentley and a clean pair of brogues round the corner at the end of the day.

 

[HaMMuS]

A mate and I passed a homeless guy the other day, who was asking for money for a bus fare. My mate gave him £2, and he promptly walked into Tescos and bought a sandwich with the money. Now I have no problem with him buying a sandwich, at least he wasn't spending it on drugs or booze, but why would he feel the need to lie about needing a bus fare? Surely "Can I have some change to buy a sandwich" is just as (if not more) a compelling reason than change for a bus fare?

 

[mac1st3]

I have even met people in my line of work where homelessness is actually a *lifestyle choice*, rather than something enforced upon them. It sounds strange, but its true -

Knew someone like this, they actually had plenty of money and could live quite comfortably, but just prefered a simple life, masses of cash in bank accounts, but refused to use it unless he really needs it

 

[This Side Up]

I buy them heroin. At least this way I can profit from it.

 

[Dark_Angel]

A friend of mine once bought someone food and a drink, they threw it at him!! He only just managed to duck too.

Then again, I'm sure that man would be in the vast minority.

 

[durruti]

Well done for feeling compassion, i'd think something was wrong with you if you didn't. I'd of offered him some food i guess.

 

[Skull]

Most of the homeless people around here are alcoholics or mentally ill so I sometimes buy some food and give it to them. More often it's if I buy something to eat and when I try it I don't like the taste. I can either throw it away or give it to someone who sleeps on the street.

 

[cm1179]

when i left school i went straight to worcester tech to do IT (waste of time) there was a refuge for tramps right opposite the college and we'd see them on the white lightning before 9am and spewing it up by 10am and it used to disgust me if i'm honest. the one day me and a few others were sat by the river and one of the tramps came along with a bag of beers and sat with us and offered us a beer. we got chatting and it turned out he was a real sound bloke who robbed a bank when he was in his early 20's, got caught, did time, family disowned him, came out in the 80's and the system wanted nothing to do with him and after a few friends helping him for a while he was basically on the streets and before he knew it, hooked on sniffing glue and there was no way back. we asked him if he'd rob a bank again and he said he would but this time he wouldn't get caught which made us laugh.

 

[ticklemebougy]

Ive only seen one homeless person on my little island he pretty much just walked around with plastic bags and a huge iron bar under his jacket. If there were more id probably drop my loose change in. i always seem to end up with loads of coins in my pockets.

 

[PoD]

Yeah if you want to be charitable then give them a coffee and something to eat (nothing they might be allergic to mind!).

and if you want to then donate to a charity.

 

[big_white_dog84]

There's a big difference between 'homelessness' and living on the streets. All councils have an obligation to provide emergency accommodation to anyone who requires it. Every UK national you see on the streets is there by 'choice'.

That said, no right thinking person would ever choose to beg or sleep on the streets. Every single one of these people will have extremely complex issues in their lives that have pushed them to the fringes of society. Unfortunately there is no quick fix for this. All we can do is provide support services and encourage them to accept the help that is available.

 

[Stupot_]

Anyone know the old guy at borough market? Likes to stand in the middle of the road shouting at tourists and not letting cars get past... Quite amusing, I reckon he's hired by the market... Part of the whole 'victorian charm' of the area.

 

[Mr-White]

This is why people are reluctant to give "homeless" people money

MW

 

[iNPUt]

I met a tramp in a Barca (well he was harrasing me) and he was from the UK. Looks like
he makes enough money to move about the world.

Area I live in london I seen the same tramps for years on end, there are a few this man visits.
Its like they are paying for their real estate spot on friday night (or for the crack after)

Where I live now is a bit of a druggy area, but I see some messed up people but they do
not often ask for money, maybe cracks cheaper here.

 

[ttreaders]

the sad thing is, we have all given money to charities, well i have the odd pound here and there, and it sickens me that the money goes to places like africa, yet the money they get doesnt go to proper use.

I agree, most of the aid sent to places such as Africa is unfortunately stolen by the few wealthy people in the government and the vast majority of it doesn't reach where it was intended for and if it does it's 'sold' to them.

would rather the money i give to charity go towards hostiles or places for the homeless in this country

You can give it to the hostels directly, nothing is stopping you giving the money to who you think really needs it, that's what I do. Unfortunately a lot of charities spend a great deal of the money given to them on nice bonuses for the managers who reach their targets, not all that different from other businesses

 

[Efour]

do you live in Cowley? its heroin round there

 

[Deleted User 234324]

If it was a guy without habits then he would more than likely be trying to get somewhere with his life by finding a homeless house or something.

Not necessarily, there is a homeless lady that goes around torbay quiet often, tatty clothes etc, she actually chose that life style, in reality she actually has a bit of money spare.

Some people while frowned upon by society, choose to live a life of solitude.

 

[WantoN]

I always offer them a sandwhich and a cup of tea. Never give money to tramps anymore. Get about a 50% take up from those who I offer to, a lot of them are blatantly on drugs.

Ant