Spare change mate?

Luke · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:31

Bri said:
AH-HA! Rumbled, they're £1.20 tightwad

I used to buy the Big Issue when it was a quid, now I can't be bothered to search for the exact money, and don't feel like letting them keep the change!

punky_munky · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:37

Matt-Page said:
I always tell them to get a job.

Why should i pay through the nose for them? If i had spare food or drink on me i would give it to them, otherwise i wont give them anything.

There is no excuse for not working, getting factory or agency work is easy and requires little effort. I got it in 10 minutes when i was a student by filling out some forms and turning up for a free minibus there.

Kinda hard if you don't have an address.

starscream · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:37

There's normally a few beggers outside a Spar on the highstreet. If I'm going to the shop and they ask on the way in, I quite often ask them if they want a sandwich or something. If they say they only want nothing, I don't give them anything.

If it's late though and I've been in the pub all night, I do end up giving them a couple of quid, which I know isn't the best thing to do.

Cody · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:39

There is a guy near us who has asked me at least 89p to get a bus, there was another guy who also used the bus story but kind of ruined his pitch with 'I'm not a smackhead or anything'.

If I see him again I going to say but I gave you 89p for the bus the other day and see how he reacts.

The only charity type activity I do is folding, I don't mind but wont if someone is in my face pushing for it.

Freefaller · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:39

I once offered to buy one of them food - they said nah it's alright I'd rather have the money. I asked why and what they'd spend it on, and they told me it was for them to know and me to find out maybe... From that day on I have to say I'm reluctant to give any money to them as I just don't know where their money will be going. However I did give someone one of my sandwiches (typical 2 sandwich pack thingy) which was gleefully accepted and geedily eaten.

I'd rather give money to a charity organisations which helps homeless people... if only they let themselves be helped.

The only charity I do donate a fair bit to (quite a lot - but it's a close issue to me) is cancer research based charities.

Zip · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:43

Freefaller said:
I once offered to buy one of them food - they said nah it's alright I'd rather have the money. I asked why and what they'd spend it on, and they told me it was for them to know and me to find out maybe... From that day on I have to say I'm reluctant to give any money to them as I just don't know where their money will be going. However I did give someone half of my sandwich which was gleefully accepted and geedily eaten.

I'd rather give money to a charity organisations which helps homeless people... if only they let themselves be helped.

The only charity I do donate a fair bit to (quite a lot - but it's a close issue to me) is cancer research based charities.

Fixed for the truth

"andy" · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:46

Bri said:
Nope, they get nothing off me, not a bean. Living in central Middlesbrough for 4 years really took away any sympathy I had.

Them might get a slice of pizza if I'm on the lash though.

EDIT: I do buy 'The Big Issue' from time to time though.

the 'beggar' near dundas arcade is a bit of a leg end , always has the latest nike trainers on and plays some funky drunken tunes on his guitar.

Sic · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:47

Zip said:
Fixed for the truth

lol, i swear some people constantly think about this!! do you just trawl the forums looking for posts about sandwiches so you can troll people!?

Lt. Manlove · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:47

I just say 'No' and if they try to stop me I say 'I've got to meet someone' and walk off. Got no time for them.

Mr Blonde · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:49

I don't give the time of day or any money.

I feel a certain contempt for most of them, mainly the ones in and around the tube system down here. The vast majority of the ones I pass on a daily basis get free meals and a bed for the night. All I'd be doing would be giving them beer and/or drugs money for the evening.

As said, buskers are totally different..sing for your supper if you like. Do a good turn and I'll happily bung you a few quid. Charity wise I enter postcount auctions set up by forums, so I don't think I'm a tight git by any means. I just won't feed an individuals habit that's all.

Freefaller · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:49

Zip said:
Fixed for the truth

Actually I agree with you. I've had too much wine this evening (it's rude not to really

).

you > me.

Arcade Fire · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:53

dmpoole said:
I did a bit of busking in Hanley over two weekends during the early 90's and me and my mate made over £400 on each weekend. The trick is to empty the hat so theres only about £2 of change in it all the time.

I hate to ask the obvious, but if you were making that much then why didn't you do it full time? Over £200 each for a weekend's work isn't too shabby, I'd say, especially if you're doing something you enjoy.

Zip · 18 Apr 2006 at 20:55

Freefaller said:
Actually I agree with you. I've had too much wine this evening (it's rude not to really ).

you > me.

The first time in my life im greater then a don, Its a proud moment

Tbh what you wrote about 2 sandwiches did sound wrong so we now have conclusive evidence that a sandwich cut in half is not 2 sandwiches but 2 halfs of a sandwich

Problems solved :cool:

I hope you enjoyed the wine Freefaller

Arcade Fire · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:00

PinkPig said:
Around here there seem to be an awful lot of "homeless" people getting given money during the day who mysteriously vanish after 11pm...

Maybe they go to the "homeless shelters" dotted around the city to sleep. Which, by the way, you have to pay for.

SexyGreyFox · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:02

Arcade Fire said:
I hate to ask the obvious, but if you were making that much then why didn't you do it full time?

It was virtually impossible to do because we got moved on that many times.
By the second weekend the rozzers were really on our back.
Theres only one busker I know of who has a license and he collects for charity.

Lostkat said:
I do, however, donate blood platelets regularly. I've just come back from an hour hooked up to the machine and received my 25 donations award. As far as I'm concerned, that's my donation to charity, and it's a pretty special one too!

Not really charity - You may need it.
And how have you donated 25 times at the age of 25?
I thought blokes could only give 4 times a year?

Sic · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:07

dmpoole said:
Not really charity - You may need it.
And how have you donated 25 times at the age of 25?
I thought blokes could only give 4 times a year?

start donating at 18, 4 times a year to 25 and that's 28 times

Mr Blonde · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:11

dmpoole said:
Not really charity - You may need it.
And how have you donated 25 times at the age of 25?
I thought blokes could only give 4 times a year?

I don't know about these days but when I was in collage in the 80's they were happy to take a pint off me every 4-5 days in the local blood wagon. I did that for about a year and a half. Nice nurse if I recall and fresh biscuits too

SexyGreyFox · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:12

Sic said:
start donating at 18, 4 times a year to 25 and that's 28 times

But Lostkat is a girlie and we were told that girlies can only give twice a year.

Caerdydd · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:15

With very few exceptions there is no reason why anyone should be on the streets. Society is under no obligation to help them at all, yet there are charities and support organisations who provide shelter, food, and opportunities to these people if they want it.

These people who live rough are rejecting the support offered to them. If they really needed it then turning that help down would not be an option. None of them are having any of my change to spend on drugs and booze.

I support Big Issue sellers for example. They are taking advantage (in a good way) of the support thats being offered and earning an honest living. Unfortunately the actual magazine looks crap, and I wont buy it just to chuck in the bin, I'd rather just give them the cash and they can still sell the magazine.

Lostkat · 18 Apr 2006 at 21:15

dmpoole said:
Not really charity - You may need it.
And how have you donated 25 times at the age of 25?
I thought blokes could only give 4 times a year?

So I'm a scrooge and a liar too. Interesting.

If I needed it myself, they wouldn't endanger peoples' lives by letting you donate. I give to help people less fortunate than me. How is that not charity? I find your comment quite unbelievable in all honesty.

Also, I donate platelets, which can be given as often as every two weeks. If you'd like to see my 25 donations certificate and badge, I'd be happy to scan it in for you