FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Excuse me, have you got any change please?
Excuse me, have you got any change please?
Jump to: Newest in thread
 |
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
I don't have any problem with giving a few pennies to people in the street who look like the need them more than I do, but it seems that in the past few weeks, I'm making these little donations on an almost daily basis. I can understand with it being the winter the need for food and accommodation increasing, but I wanted to know how often others encounter these situations, and what are your thoughts on them? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I don't have any problem with giving a few pennies to people in the street who look like the need them more than I do, but it seems that in the past few weeks, I'm making these little donations on an almost daily basis. I can understand with it being the winter the need for food and accommodation increasing, but I wanted to know how often others encounter these situations, and what are your thoughts on them?"
The official advice is to donate a cup of coffee or a sandwich, not money. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Many years ago I knew a lad who made a very good living by begging. He had a nice house, nice car etc. He would beg 4 or 5 times a week in Leicester city centre and most days made in excess of £150!
He is the reason I don't give money to beggars in the street. I will give to buskers and street entertainers though.... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I often work in Southampton area and when I do, I stay in the town centre.
Almost every time I go out I get asked for money, usually by young women.
I always reply that I don't have any money on me and most times they just turn away and approach someone else.
Sometimes though, I get a few words of abuse  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I have my _iews on this that people I have said it too don't agree I I understand that. But my _iews are that if I give a couple of quid to a beggar and people say to me " he will just go and buy drink or drugs with it " I think well me not giving him nothing is not going to stop him been a druggie or a alcoholic So let him buy drugs or beer if it makes him happy even if it's for a couple of hours in his wretched life. Then I am happy to do that and give him money |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I have my _iews on this that people I have said it too don't agree I I understand that. But my _iews are that if I give a couple of quid to a beggar and people say to me " he will just go and buy drink or drugs with it " I think well me not giving him nothing is not going to stop him been a druggie or a alcoholic So let him buy drugs or beer if it makes him happy even if it's for a couple of hours in his wretched life. Then I am happy to do that and give him money "
Good on you. I've heard the same myself, but my response is that if he wants to go spend it on intoxicants then that's his choice, at least I'm doing my bit to allow him one - and of course, if ever I found myself in his predicament, I wouldn't want to think that people were denying helping me out because they automatically assume I'm going to spend it on drink and drugs. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I was once approached in Sheffield City centre by two rather menacing guys who asked me if I had any spare change. When I said no they said 'come on you must have some'. I countered with 'you guys probably have more than me'. One asked why I thought that - I said 'I've just been released today from prison'. (I hadn't!). They said 'oh ok man fair enough' and walked off. The relief in my head was palpable! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have my _iews on this that people I have said it too don't agree I I understand that. But my _iews are that if I give a couple of quid to a beggar and people say to me " he will just go and buy drink or drugs with it " I think well me not giving him nothing is not going to stop him been a druggie or a alcoholic So let him buy drugs or beer if it makes him happy even if it's for a couple of hours in his wretched life. Then I am happy to do that and give him money "
i never understand why some think all homeless people are d*unks and drug takers, I'm sure there are many out there who genuinely just want a drink and a meal |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"I have my _iews on this that people I have said it too don't agree I I understand that. But my _iews are that if I give a couple of quid to a beggar and people say to me " he will just go and buy drink or drugs with it " I think well me not giving him nothing is not going to stop him been a druggie or a alcoholic So let him buy drugs or beer if it makes him happy even if it's for a couple of hours in his wretched life. Then I am happy to do that and give him money
Good on you. I've heard the same myself, but my response is that if he wants to go spend it on intoxicants then that's his choice, at least I'm doing my bit to allow him one - and of course, if ever I found myself in his predicament, I wouldn't want to think that people were denying helping me out because they automatically assume I'm going to
spend it on drink and drugs."
I'm inclined to agree with this. I get tired of people telling me what I should or shouldn't do. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"I have my _iews on this that people I have said it too don't agree I I understand that. But my _iews are that if I give a couple of quid to a beggar and people say to me " he will just go and buy drink or drugs with it " I think well me not giving him nothing is not going to stop him been a druggie or a alcoholic So let him buy drugs or beer if it makes him happy even if it's for a couple of hours in his wretched life. Then I am happy to do that and give him money
i never understand why some think all homeless people are d*unks and drug takers, I'm sure there are many out there who genuinely just want a drink and a meal "
There are loads of homeless people who don't have an addiction issue. I take my hat off to them as its bloody gruelling to be street homeless |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Christmas spirit? Bah humbug.
I asked the teller at my bank if they had any change and they demanded a £20 note from me.
I'd rather offer a hot shower and a night's kip to someone in that position (homelesness not a bank teller), but it is fraught with difficulties.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Many years ago I knew a lad who made a very good living by begging. He had a nice house, nice car etc. He would beg 4 or 5 times a week in Leicester city centre and most days made in excess of £150!
He is the reason I don't give money to beggars in the street. I will give to buskers and street entertainers though...."
Street entertainers need to have a license so they are best to give donations to because at least a percentage goes to tax. Then everybody's a winner |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have my _iews on this that people I have said it too don't agree I I understand that. But my _iews are that if I give a couple of quid to a beggar and people say to me " he will just go and buy drink or drugs with it " I think well me not giving him nothing is not going to stop him been a druggie or a alcoholic So let him buy drugs or beer if it makes him happy even if it's for a couple of hours in his wretched life. Then I am happy to do that and give him money
i never understand why some think all homeless people are d*unks and drug takers, I'm sure there are many out there who genuinely just want a drink and a meal "
Couldn't agree more, I was homeless for a while, as a young teen. A druggie me.. Couldn't have been further than the truth.  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I have my _iews on this that people I have said it too don't agree I I understand that. But my _iews are that if I give a couple of quid to a beggar and people say to me " he will just go and buy drink or drugs with it " I think well me not giving him nothing is not going to stop him been a druggie or a alcoholic So let him buy drugs or beer if it makes him happy even if it's for a couple of hours in his wretched life. Then I am happy to do that and give him money
i never understand why some think all homeless people are d*unks and drug takers, I'm sure there are many out there who genuinely just want a drink and a meal
Couldn't agree more, I was homeless for a while, as a young teen. A druggie me.. Couldn't have been further than the truth. "
And if I have money on me, I always give. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *nne CallanWoman
over a year ago
Nothing to see here. Please move along. |
I was on the streets and did be g when I was 16. I was dosed up to the eyeballs on anti epileptic meds and people assumed I was d*unk or on drugs. I had many people ignore. A few that abused but I was pointed to help by an addict. Help people where you can, you never know when your act of kindness will make the difference in someones life |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I'd rather donate my money and/or time to a homelessness charity or shelter."
Yep I've got a direct debit to Shelter and one to a local homelessness charity as I know they can do better work than me. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *horltzMan
over a year ago
heysham |
There used to be a fella that hung around the cash point round my neck of the woods , he would wait for you to draw your notes out , then ask for spare change ! To this day I'm still convinced he wasn't homeless |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I live in Southampton and when I'm there am asked quite a bit but I always say I have no change as I'm never sure what they will buy. I hate it though when I see the ones with the dogs. I often think I'd buy the dog food and some water as animals are dependent on the owner.  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *litterbabeWoman
over a year ago
hiding from cock pics. |
In my area we have an alcoholic homeless man that we try to help.
He has accounts at the local cafes we keep them topped up and he eats when he wants to. We are making an Xmas box with new bedding and food etc.
There is even a Facebook page for us to let others know his accounts are getting low or that he is ok.
We do try lots if other ways to help too... Its not easy to provide help more than that as many will be well aware. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I live in Southampton and when I'm there am asked quite a bit but I always say I have no change as I'm never sure what they will buy. I hate it though when I see the ones with the dogs. I often think I'd buy the dog food and some water as animals are dependent on the owner. "
Quite right. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I go for the brew and a pastie option.
I once got a guy a McDonalds, who declined it as he was vegetarian, but he pointed me in the direction of someone else who would take it.
I will and have donated cash to homeless charities, but will rarely give cash out on the streets. Sometimes a coffee and a kind word can make the difference! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
They never have signs saying I'm hungry, please buy me a coffee and hot meal.
Unfortunately there are scam artists around, especially this time of year.
Prefer to give to shelters myself. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I usually give them a cuppa or a packet of Digestives. If they are genuinely hungry they will be happy with that. I never give money for the reason that they could use it for drink or drugs. I don't mind feeding someone, but I will NOT help support any kind of addiction that may be stopping them from bettering their situation. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *ominantDogMan
over a year ago
Docklands, Exmoor, Manchester |
As a student I gave my bus fare home to a deserving looking fella in downtown Berkeley. Whilst walking back up the hill he drove past me in his cadillac.
Nevertheless I have made a point of remembering that 2 calamitous events in quick succession can put any of us down on our uppers.
I would rather be wrong with a slick scam artist than bypass a genuine case in need of help. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I would rather be wrong with a slick scam artist than bypass a genuine case in need of help."
That's a noble point of _iew, and anyway, is it REALLY such a gamble to be wrong, for that 20p in your pocket? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"
i never understand why some think all homeless people are d*unks and drug takers, I'm sure there are many out there who genuinely just want a drink and a meal "
This |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"
i never understand why some think all homeless people are d*unks and drug takers, I'm sure there are many out there who genuinely just want a drink and a meal
This"
For me too.
I give food and money depending on how well I know the individual. Sadly, after a while you see the same faces. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *arkedMan
over a year ago
Trim |
"I was on the streets and did be g when I was 16. I was dosed up to the eyeballs on anti epileptic meds and people assumed I was d*unk or on drugs. I had many people ignore. A few that abused but I was pointed to help by an addict. Help people where you can, you never know when your act of kindness will make the difference in someones life"
 amen to that |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
