So what's your policy about giving money to homeless people?

Van Hellseek · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:48

When you get asked for money on the average trip to the shops, do you ignore them? Or do you empty your wallet?

If you ignore do you feel guilty?

jack uk · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:49

spit on them.

DB_SamX · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:50

Not usually, as they may buy booze and fags with it. But if one asked me with some effort, I would buy them something to eat and drink and give it to them.

Glaucus · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:51

I ignore, nearly all wont use it for anything decent.
Would rather give money to scientific research.

Indy500 · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:51

Since I've been in their position myself, if I have some change I'll give that to them.

JBod · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:52

Ignore.

dowie · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:53

generally ignore it tbh...

i live in London and AFAIK there is enough sheltered accommodation etc.. to cater for our homeless population

the only people begging or sleeping rough, I'd guess, have drug problems or are con artists and either way I think it is a bad idea to give them money

I actually get quite annoyed by the 'professional beggars' on the tube - they change carriages at each stop and always seem to get a couple of quid from each one - basically they're earning a pretty decent wage out of being a parasite.

Jokester · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:53

I ignore them.

jak731 · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:53

if i have some food on me then i may give them some of that, but i will never give cash to them

iamdjdz · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:54

I never give Romanian homeless people money, there is a guy near me though that I sometimes give a few pounds to

he needs it though

Scuzi · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:58

I ignore them and I don't feel guilty. They are homeless and begging on the street because they are losers and vagabonds. I don't believe in giving away my hard earned cash to losers and vagabonds.

Greenlizard0 · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:58

Nothing because I'd rather spend it on booze and fags for myself.

There used to be a shop near us that gave away free coffee or something and it came with what I always got so sometimes if a person is out there I'll drop a cup of tea.

Welshy · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:58

I ignore them myself, I find them quite cheeky for asking aswell to be honest.

Even if I wanted to give them money or buy them something, being a uni student I just can't afford it.

JBuk · 13 Apr 2008 at 20:59

i never give out cash

i know for a fact a beggar in my town has a home ,etc

Van Hellseek · 13 Apr 2008 at 21:01

Lots of people saying they ignore... But don't you feel even the slightest bit of guilt for not helping a fellow human (within your community) in distress?

Not saying you should, but it's a perfectly natural reaction ...

Vai · 13 Apr 2008 at 21:02

I ignore them, don't even look at them.

I walk by a beggar/big issue seller twice a day. He has learnt to not even ask me now

knip · 13 Apr 2008 at 21:03

Buy the Big Issue off them?

Glaucus · 13 Apr 2008 at 21:03

seek said:
Lots of people saying they ignore... But don't you feel even the slightest bit of guilt for not helping a fellow human (within your community) in distress?

Not saying you should, but it's a perfectly natural reaction ...

No, by being homeless and begging in the street just shows how unresourcefull they are.

Zefan · 13 Apr 2008 at 21:03

I ignore them because I know the money will most likely not be used correctly. I'd prefer to see my money go to a charity (despite silly amounts of admin costs).

:edit: I don't feel guilty, however seeing a homeless person can make me think about people who are really not to blame for their situation. I feel sorry for them but I do not feel guilty.

Scuzi · 13 Apr 2008 at 21:03

seek said:
Lots of people saying they ignore... But don't you feel even the slightest bit of guilt for not helping a fellow human (within your community) in distress?

No, not in the slightest. They don't want help. They want a handout.