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Giving to "Homeless" People

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Do you?

I live in London and can sometimes be approached 4 times in a day for people asking for money for a "hostel".... Sone can be really pushy and quite aggressive and sometimes, you see the same person with the same story and them drinking beer with other beggars later...

I tend to keep a seperate purse or pocket for change and set a little aside now..
I can't always know if people are genuine, but know there are issues with some hostels charging...

But I have to say I get desensitised now and sometimes pretend to have no change, especially if the person is intoxicated and I feel unconfortable...

I have noticed an increase in beggars (also, people drinking on the street, not that I am insinuating they are linked) and have been told by people who work with homeless that the majority have drugs problems... But some will be genuine too...

I was wondering what people feel about giving money to homeless people?

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I think we had a thread on this recently about homeless charities actually telling people not to give money to people on the street. I sometimes give food but I never give money, especially to the ones that hang around where they know they can corner you (usually coming out of car park stairways) and ask for 50p for a bus fare/so they can ring their grandma or the hostel story. I always say no. If they're genuinely homeless they'll be grateful for food/warm drinks and such. They only time I give money is to buskers or the odd charity collector. There was a blind guy (he actually was blind because I could see his eyes) with his guide dog collecting money a few weeks back and I gave them some loose change. But apart from that I don't.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I just ignore them.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Some of them DO corner you..
    A man seemed a bit flustered yesterday when he tried to stop me and my mate and I said "oh I remember you from yesterday".

    I remember seeing another woman pushing a wheelchair up the street in Kings Cross. When I came back, she was sat in it pretending to shake to look like a better beggar.

    Which charities are saying not to give?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    There was a sign up in what was a shopping centre in Plymouth telling us not to give to people on the streets, and instead give to homeless charities.

    There was a story earlier this year about someone pretending to be homeless and he was begging on the streets. It turns out he was quite rich and not homeless. I know he's in the minority; but it does put me off giving to beggars.
  • SkiveSkive Posts: 15,282 Skive's The Limit
    I give money fags or beer.

    So what if they spend the money on drink or drugs. That's only what I'm going to spend it anyway.
    Weekender Offender 
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Anyone who has to resort to begging is obviously in a dire situation. I help out people when it's needed. Obviously there are charlatans and I tend to not give money to people asking for 'bus money' but properly homeless I give them money, drink whatever!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The problem is deciding between those who have to resort to begging and those who do it as a money spinner. In London there are plenty of people in both camps. I don't give to beggars in the tourist areas- they're usually charlatans- and I don't give to anyone who begs sitting next to a cash machine or a supermarket door. They're either charlatans or tossers. Worst are those who panhandle their way down the tube carriage; they can just fuck off.

    I guess I generally give money to genuine charities. This is to avoid the charlatans and the liars. I couldn't give a toss if people will spend their gains on booze and tabs but I do give a toss about giving to tossers and thieves.
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