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Homeless people
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in General Chat
Today when I was leaving work a homeless person came up to me. He first asked if I spoke English, and then preceeded to ask my name, shake my hand and introduce himself to me. He then went into his little story and I ended up giving him my change. I only did so however because I actually felt intimidated by this approach.
Do you give change to homeless people? Has anyone else ever been approached this way? It actually made me feel very uncomfortable!
Do you give change to homeless people? Has anyone else ever been approached this way? It actually made me feel very uncomfortable!
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Most homeless charities advise people not to hand out cash.
I told him that funnily enough I hadnt!
They didnt ask me for money though. I never really have enough to give, but i never ignore them when they ask. Im more likely to give money if its night time and theyre sleeping rough, because then you know theyre definitely homeless, not just lifestyle beggars.
I think there's definitely something in that.
I give my change to homeless people (especially the ones with dogs, I'm a sucker) on a regular basis, but I feel really resentful when I feel like I've been guilt-tripped into it.
If this guy had been selling the Big Issue or similar, then you could have reported him for his manner of approach. Since he's not, I don't really know what you can do, other than try and stand your ground next time (I can talk!).
Once me and my mate ended up talking to one for ages, he was really religious, sound as a pound so he was.
I don't give change to people on the streets because a lot of them are just blagging it. I'm also highly suspicious of everyone and it's unlikely that, if the events you describe above had happened to me, that he would have gotten to the point of being able to shake my hand.
Homeless people don't have a lot, they also tend to smoke and drink. The fella obviously empathised with the mans situation. Fair play.
This is the defense I always, always heard from my ex-flatmate who didn't want to part with one shiny penny of her student loan.
True, some of them might be druggies or alcoholics or worse. But I try and have faith in my own judgement, and more often than not give them the benefit of the doubt...that they are going to buy their dog that Stay-Fresh pouch of Pedigree Chum, and leave the four pack of Special Brew on the shelf
let them get on with it.
I feel like a right little bizzatch now .
But then theres the ones that are not all there, mumbling drunk, sleeping on the benches, I don't know whether to be scared or feel bad for them. I usually feel bad, but they are always sleeping so I can't give them change.
Heard this story over dinner last night,
This guy was with his friend walking downtown and this bum asked him for money. He gave him a couple dollars and the bum started laughing extremly hard. He asked why he was laughing and he said, you've just been scammed. He pulls out a rolled up wad of dollars and keeps laughing. The guy actually stole his money back.
Then I was downtown with a friend and there was one of those weird homeless people selling post cards. If you give them some money they'll give you one. She only had a $5 so she asked him for change. He had it
A. I'd be reather scared
B. I'd walk away very fast!
That put me off giving any of them money.
I don't give money to the homeless. I would rather buy them something to eat or drink if they are hungry. But not money as I suspect the majority may use the money for drugs etc.
I just dont understand how judgemental some of you are.
yeah, they might not really be homeless, yeah they might spend it on drugs but on the other hand they might really be homeless and they might spend it on 'suitable things.' you don't know that.
if you were homeless you'd want people to give you the benefit of the doubt instead of walking past you with their noses stuck in the air.
Better than robbing you for them.