Poll: You pass a beggar on the street.
- Thread starter Jumpingbean3
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I give them food whenever I can. Like a few weeks ago, me and my friend had a couple of extra pizzas, and we gave those away. I won't give them money, because their is a huge chance they'll just blow it off.
It depends. If I'm in a hurry on a crowded street making it almost impossible to effectively take out my purse then I keep walking, but if I've got the time then of course I give them some money, I mean I know I'd hate to wind up on the streets and not have anyone care while they go about their safe and comfortable lives. Back when I was younger my folks would give me some coin and tell me to give it to a homeless person if they were on the street, and not all of them are just "junkies" or ingrateful, some of the ones I've met seem to be so happy with what little they've got that it's quite inspiring.
They're quite rare around my area, the city however...
They're quite rare around my area, the city however...
I put "depends".
I wouldn't ever give a beggar money because I would be too concerned about it going on booze/drugs, and that's really not helping them. My policy used to be to give food or a hot drink or at the very least, a nice smile and "sorry, I don't have anything".
This all changed however, when I politely apologised to a beggar for not having anything, and they went off insulting me. They followed me down the street calling me a stuck-up whore for not giving them money.
Now, the only homeless people I talk to are Big Issue vendors. At the very least, they're generally polite and respectful.
I wouldn't ever give a beggar money because I would be too concerned about it going on booze/drugs, and that's really not helping them. My policy used to be to give food or a hot drink or at the very least, a nice smile and "sorry, I don't have anything".
This all changed however, when I politely apologised to a beggar for not having anything, and they went off insulting me. They followed me down the street calling me a stuck-up whore for not giving them money.
Now, the only homeless people I talk to are Big Issue vendors. At the very least, they're generally polite and respectful.
I don't give money to beggars in western countries because I feel like there are government initiatives in place to support them and give them other options. I might in developing countries, depending on the specific situation. For example, if I'm in a region known for using begging as an industry, where any money I give people is going to go to someone else instead of the person I gave it to, I probably wouldn't give them anything. I guess if it was possible I'd try and give them food.
Sadly I end up ignoring them (though there isn't very much begging where I am), largely due to the only change in my wallet is E£25 from my trip this summer as I use my debit card for everything.
Yeah, I have to agree with this. Maybe they do want £1 for a cup of tea, but if they get enough money and spend it on beer, then I've not helped him at all.Wutaiflea said:
I usually just give them a sympathetic smile and shake my head. I don't have much money myself, so I can't give it away.
I don't like the ones who just expect you to give them money, like the one in Wutaiflea's story. I've only had the odd tut and dirty look thankfully.
I also don't pay much attention to people selling things on the street, especially when I walked past someone whilst eating my lunch and they tried to talk to me.
"Ummffblurg?"
Depends. I almost never have cash or change on me anymore, so it's a moot point now, but when I worked in Boston and carried cash more, I'd occasionally give a guy a buck. If they were friendly and gracious, sure. If they just sat there jingling a cup, I'd keep walking.
Usually I ignore them. I feel guilty, but I also realise that I'm a heartless bastard, and so is every other human out there. Fact of the matter is, as a race we are all selfish hypocrites. That's just how humans are naturally, whatever we tell ourselves we are all selfish bastards at heart and that will never change, and the more we 'feel guilty' about not doing stuff like helping the homeless, the more of a hypocrite it makes each and every one of us.
That being said, the other day I was accosted by a guy selling the Big Issue, and I gave him £2 to get a coffee or something to eat. I don't even read the Big Issue and didn't take a copy (to be fair he said himself no-one ever reads it anyway), but I still gave him something to help out. So maybe I am mellowing a bit after all
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That being said, the other day I was accosted by a guy selling the Big Issue, and I gave him £2 to get a coffee or something to eat. I don't even read the Big Issue and didn't take a copy (to be fair he said himself no-one ever reads it anyway), but I still gave him something to help out. So maybe I am mellowing a bit after all
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I always drop a coin or two. Maybe a paper note occasionally. It's not like I need that money for anything, I got plenty of money and I'm not spending it on anything.
I live in Hong Kong. You have no idea how many lepers and limbless individuals are sleeping out on the streets with only their clothes and one-or-two possessions. You can't expect me to ignore every single one of them without helping them somehow.
I live in Hong Kong. You have no idea how many lepers and limbless individuals are sleeping out on the streets with only their clothes and one-or-two possessions. You can't expect me to ignore every single one of them without helping them somehow.
I offer them food, if they don't want food or a drink, and they want money, I tell them to go fuck themselves, because i refuse to fuel a "trip to see their sick granddaughter" or some other bullshit to let them buy booze.Jumpingbean3 said:
If they want food, cool. I'll buy an entire freaking meal at maccas or something for them
they want money? Forget it.
-Tabs<3-
Just since yours is the first reply.Julianking93 said:
Why?
Don't get me wrong, I don't always (I can't actually remember any instance) give to beggars/charities/buskers etc. But why do you not feel sympathy for them.
Do you really think that some/most of them are faking or responsible for their problems?
Or do you refuse to feel sympathy for people for some personal reason?