Street beggars?

[FrenchieBoy]

I guess most of you have come across these so called Homeless and Hungry street beggars while out shopping in town. We like most places have them in and around Rochdale, some are genuine, polite and very thankful if you stop and help them out in one way or another yet a few of them just "kick the arse out of it" and take advantage of people's generosity!
In Rochdale there is one who goes by the name of Andy, he sits there with a stool for you to sit on while he polishes and shines your shoes in exchange for a couple of bob. He doesn't "confront" or stop you, he just waits quietly and patiently until a "customer" stops and asks for their shoes to be polished - In my opinion he is doing no harm at all and he has quite a few "regular customers"!
There were two brothers who used to go and sit at the Kingsway shopping centre (Just outside Rochdale) who I got to know through talking to them while the wife did her weekly shop in Iceland. It turned out that they had been made homeless when their Mum died and her council house did not mention them on the tenancy agreement. They were sleeping in a tent by the canal and were trying to get a job, but without an address they struggled to get any benefits or the slightest chance of any employment. I used to buy them a hot drink and something to eat whenever I saw them - They actually stressed that they would prefer something to eat and drink rather than being given money. The last time I saw them they had found accomodation through the church and both had found a job, and I was really pleased for them.
However yesterday I had to go to Rochdale as I was running short of my favourite pipe tobacco. I had only just managed to find a parking space and lock my car when i was approached by a "young lady". She looked to be about 30ish, fairly clean but very thin and pale. She said "Excuse me darling but can you help me please". I said how can I help you? She said that she hadn't eaten since the previous evening so could I spare her a pound of so to buy something to eat. I told her that I did not carry cash (Which is quite true) but if she was hungry I would be happy to go to the shop and buy her something to eat and drink. Her reply really set the alarm bells ringing - She said "Well in that case could you not go to a cash machine and get some cash for me instead"! My reply was a little short - "If you were genuinely hungry you would have accepted my offer of food and drink but I will not give money that can be used for alcohol or drugs so gao away as street begging is illegal!" She walked away muttering something under her breath which i suspect was not too polite.
It's these sort of people who give the genuinely needy (And I believe that there really are some genuinely needy amongst them) a bad name.
Do you have any experienced (Either good or bad) of "street beggars" and what is your opinion of these "street beggars"?

p.s. Let's keep it civilised and not turn this thread into a "Hang them all and be done with it" thread!

 

[baguio]

Frenchie, you sound like a really good man. Don't let the odd bad apple ruin your opinion of everyone They're everywhere and always will be. There's no doubt that there are plenty of people who have become homeless through no fault of their own and with the way that our economy is going, there are sure to be lots more in the next year or two. Glad your two friends have had a lucky break and are hopefully over the worst. Next time I see a homeless person I will buy them something on your behalf!
Baguio

 

[Woodsmoke]

I remember Dundee being full of beggars at weekends. Strangely enough, when the pubs and clubs were empty they were nowhere to be seen, yet Friday and Saturday nights the town centre was filled with them sat against the walls between venues. Very few spoke any coherent English either, as it happens. Although that can be said of a fair few Dundee residents, to be fair . . . . .

What really grinds my gears though, are the 'charity muggers' who ambush you outside shops. Big Issue sellers can be very guilty of this, I've found. I absolutely detest having to run the gauntlet to get into, or out of a shop. As a result, I no longer even pretend not to see them. They get a firm 'No thank you' on approach. I guess this can be seen as being quite harsh and selfish, but I'm afraid charity very-much begins at home for me these days.

 

[Grand Slam]

I spent New Years Eve 2021 walking around Oxford handing out meals to the homeless, consisting of homemade lasagne, flapjacks, cheese twists, venison wellington along with some crisp and some bottled water. Every single one of them was so grateful to be given some food and water.

Not a single person that we came across asked for anything and they were more shocked that me and a good friend were walking around with pre-plated up meals for them all. Was interesting to just sit and listen to their individuals stories.

I remember one of the guys on a popular street in Oxford telling me that they did not allow any one to "beg" in or around them. They didn't ask for anything but were more than grateful to receive things. By all accounts they had been there some time.

 

[Island]

I remember Dundee being full of beggars at weekends. Strangely enough, when the pubs and clubs were empty they were nowhere to be seen, yet Friday and Saturday nights the town centre was filled with them sat against the walls between venues. Very few spoke any coherent English either, as it happens. Although that can be said of a fair few Dundee residents, to be fair . . . . .

What really grinds my gears though, are the 'charity muggers' who ambush you outside shops. Big Issue sellers can be very guilty of this, I've found. I absolutely detest having to run the gauntlet to get into, or out of a shop. As a result, I no longer even pretend not to see them. They get a firm 'No thank you' on approach. I guess this can be seen as being quite harsh and selfish, but I'm afraid charity very-much begins at home for me these days.

I believe that the current "in vogue" handle for them is "chuggers", a simple contraction of "charity" and "muggers".

Personnaly I think it more apt to call them "chunts"....

 

[FrenchieBoy]

I remember Dundee being full of beggars at weekends. Strangely enough, when the pubs and clubs were empty they were nowhere to be seen, yet Friday and Saturday nights the town centre was filled with them sat against the walls between venues. Very few spoke any coherent English either, as it happens. Although that can be said of a fair few Dundee residents, to be fair . . . . .

What really grinds my gears though, are the 'charity muggers' who ambush you outside shops. Big Issue sellers can be very guilty of this, I've found. I absolutely detest having to run the gauntlet to get into, or out of a shop. As a result, I no longer even pretend not to see them. They get a firm 'No thank you' on approach. I guess this can be seen as being quite harsh and selfish, but I'm afraid charity very-much begins at home for me these days.

The "No thank you" is not harsh, as long as it is done in a reasonably polite way rather than an aggressive way, so many of us have to face the Big Issue sellers and they can be a bit much, but a kind or polite worn never costs us anything! And you are right that so often charity begins at home, especially with the economic crisis that we are all facing right now!
Some times all it takes is a warm drink of a cold can of pop and a few words of encouragement and you can make a little difference to someone who is less fortunate than you, but admittedly sometimes it can be difficult to sort out the wheat from the chaff!
As for the drinkers, I know what you mean. That is why I refuse to give cash. I once gave a bit of cash (Just a couple of pounds) to one person who claimed to be starving. A few minutes later I saw that very same person sitting in the very same place drinking a can of Special Brew - That person never got any more help from me because (In my opinion) alcohol is not one of life's necessities!

I spent New Years Eve 2021 walking around Oxford handing out meals to the homeless, consisting of homemade lasagne, flapjacks, cheese twists, venison wellington along with some crisp and some bottled water. Every single one of them was so grateful to be given some food and water.

Not a single person that we came across asked for anything and they were more shocked that me and a good friend were walking around with pre-plated up meals for them all. Was interesting to just sit and listen to their individuals stories.

I remember one of the guys on a popular street in Oxford telling me that they did not allow any one to "beg" in or around them. They didn't ask for anything but were more than grateful to receive things. By all accounts they had been there some time.

What you say is so true that the biggest majority of them are so truly thankful for whatever they are given, and what a wonderful gesture on your part.
You obviously have a very good heart, I raise my hat to you Sir!

 

[Woodsmoke]

Some times all it takes is a warm drink of a cold can of pop and a few words of encouragement and you can make a little difference to someone who is less fortunate than you, but admittedly sometimes it can be difficult to sort out the wheat from the chaff!

Indeed. I certainly won't deny help to anyone who truly needs it, but these days I'm very cautious when it comes to appearances.

 

[Sampo]

London beggars could make up to £35,000 in a YEAR, claims YouTuber, who spoke to rough sleepers collecting as much as £150 a day - and even made £70 himself when he tried it for a few hours

Tax free and possibly richer than a lot of people who work desperately long hours. Might need to take this with a pinch of salt as its not a steady stream of revenue but even at 50%, its still a large chunk of money that many struggle to make. Of course the job might come with its own risks which may not be very favourable. I have over the time started to ignore those who reach out to me on the street as most are not happy to accept anything but money. I feel there's a lot of help out there and the ones who choose not to get help are the ones who refused to abide by the simple rules they have in there including the likes of alcohol/ substance abuse. In major cities with plenty of tourists, this seems to be a profession as I do remember reading a while ago on certain people from poorer countries who put their kids through college and have their families living in multi storied houses all from the same profession. I do feel sorry for those who doesn't have much but I feel even sorry for those single parents and adults with little kids who work crazy shifts and do their best and still struggle to make ends meet and are too proud to ask for help. Given the choice I would much rather help the latter even if its just an envelope through the door with some notes. Life's tough and its going to get tougher.

 

[Franchi Matt]

I dont go into high streets anymore.... our town was unfortunate enough to be granted city status a few years back..... unless your under 25, beards and tattooed sleeves for men, bleached teeth, bright orange skin and allergic reaction swollen lips for the ladies, who like eating overpriced microwaved food while posting pictures on social media thinking all is good - there's sod all for you.
Let the beggars and pick pockets have it

 

[FrenchieBoy]

I have to agree with you Sampo, there are organised gangs of "beggars" who make a very healthy living from their begging. It used to happen in Bristol where they would work an area in "shifts", these are the sort of people who make it difficult for the genuine ones. There are some very needy people who genuinely could do with a bit of help. So often it can be really hard to decide who to help and who not to!

 

[ejg]

This girl is begging all day in our village since a few weeks..... even had to be shooed out of the hairdressers.

edi

 

[User00053]

since fbs earlier post on homeless folk, decided I would be more sympathetic. Don’t go into towns much and avoid unless haircut time or have no choice, local town small. Mentioned plight of homeless to son after fbs post some time back and advised he may want to think about situation should he encounter as like myself can be harsh at times. Himself and girlfriend spend time in cities, encountered a girl semi begging and waked on by, thought about it walked back and donated, girl then read them a poem. Was proud of him and if not for fbs post would not have happened. Not a sentimental sort but if in doubt listen to Phil Collins, song another day in paradise.

 

[Bugsy]

I really have a lot of time and sympathy for people who have hit hard times either due to no work or family problems and would not hinder to help somebody out , one thing I hear a lot of is drug addicts and alcoholics using food banks to eat leaving them more money to pursue there addiction , some people are really hard on them but not all drug addicts and alcoholics choose this way of life , one thing I always say is .. you never know what lies in front of us .

 

[DVS1]

Had a lad with mental health issues come into Debenhams cafeteria once. Not doing anything wrong, just wanted to get out the cold & damp and was sitting there humming loudly to himself but the toffs didn't like the colour of his jib evidently so I was asked to go and ask him to be his way.

Now I appreciate it was my place of work and the 'locals' were becoming restless with the lad so something had to be done.

1x full English with pot of tea for the lad in the corner was put infront of him with a quiet word of keep the humming down, warm yourself up, and don't be a nuisance.

He was genuinely grateful and you could see he wasn't bad or had any malice. Damn brave to be eating the food at Debenhams but that's another story

Enjoyed his brekkie, managed to get 2 cups out the pot and kindly asked for a hot water refill on the original tea bags. He didn't want to take the **** by asking for fresh tea bags and I respected that about him.

However the humming kicked up again and people started to become restless again. Another convo was had and I suggested the humming be toned down to inside his head or the next time I visited it would be ask him to leave.

Good as gold he was quiet, finished his cuppa, got up started humming loudly as he walked out as if to say up yours to the toffs

 

[spannulman]

I was walking along Queen street in Cardiff a couple of years ago, on my way to my hotel.

A ‘homeless’ young woman came over and very politely asked whether I could spare her some change. I said no, but sorry, and walked on. She instantly dropped her niceties and said “ we’ll F off you fat C!” How charming. I might be big but I have feelings too.

Seriously though, my waiter at dinner who was a student there said there is a real problem with people who set up camp early evening until closing time and then pack up their beds and go home. He used to give away money each week Until he cottoned on.

There are people like my friend in Cardiff but there must also be genuine people in need, probably with mental issues which prevent them seeking the state assistance we might seek out.

But it’s hard to tell one from the other, so I don’t give them anything anymore. But I’m torn between not engaging at all, which seems rude. Or acknowledging them as a fellow human but awkwardly not giving them anything.

 

[User00053]

Dammed if you Do, and vice versa. Guess some people view it as a job, just glad I don’t get tested and have to think about it and make wrong call if there is such a thing. Money one thing, food another.

 

[Klenchblaize]

It’s enough to drive you to drink?
K

 

[User00053]

We all need something for salvation

 

[Koenig]

I was walking along Queen street in Cardiff a couple of years ago, on my way to my hotel.

A ‘homeless’ young woman came over and very politely asked whether I could spare her some change. I said no, but sorry, and walked on. She instantly dropped her niceties and said “ we’ll F off you fat C!” How charming. I might be big but I have feelings too.

Seriously though, my waiter at dinner who was a student there said there is a real problem with people who set up camp early evening until closing time and then pack up their beds and go home. He used to give away money each week Until he cottoned on.

There are people like my friend in Cardiff but there must also be genuine people in need, probably with mental issues which prevent them seeking the state assistance we might seek out.

But it’s hard to tell one from the other, so I don’t give them anything anymore. But I’m torn between not engaging at all, which seems rude. Or acknowledging them as a fellow human but awkwardly not giving them anything.

Clucking like a Xmas Turkey for gear no doubt about it.

 

[Cootmeurer]

I used to stay once a month at a certain hotel along a major north south interstate (motorway) that connected Michigan with the Gulf coast.

Over the years I noticed a distinct pattern. Most of these homeless beggars were as migratory as the waterfowl. By the dead of winter you would be hard pressed to find one, but come spring they would come through in waves.

Some I got to recognize and would take
Them over to the McDonald’s for a meal. Others would scream and spit at you if you offered them anything but $$$. I didn’t interact with a single one that I thought was “all there”. Some were mildly disturbed and others would fight (punch/kick) with and scream at telephone poles.