Do You Give Money To Beggars?

[Nameless14]

Why/why not?

[spathiphyllum]

It's situational.

[emmie]

sometimes, but in the past i have given money and then found the recipient clutching a bottle of some strong alcohol, with his friends all imbibing. It put me off somewhat.

[SparklyKid]

Never. In my local town they arrive early in taxis and spread out.

I think they share the ubiquitous scraggy dog.

[Kromovaracun]

No. But I sometimes give them hot drinks, especially if it's cold.

[Old_Geezer]

Hardly ever, especially as I got older. Better to contribute to organisations helping positively. Pity there isn't a successful government process to get them off the streets out of choice.

[ludwig]

No. I buy a big issue occasionally.

[Arrods]

Not now. Trouble is the professional beggars (who I suspect are in the majority) spoil it for the genuine cases. A few years ago I gave some money to (got taken in by) a guy who needed it towards his fare to the hospital to get his wound re-dressed. 10 years on, his wound hasn't healed.

[smurfchops]

No ... more often than not it goes on drink ciggies or drugs. I would give them food or a hot drink.

[anneasquith]

tut tut, that's the health service for you .!!

[Ken4155]

A beggar knocked on my door, yesterday, saying he was hungry. "Do you like cold rice pudding?" i asked him. He nodded. "Well come back tomorrow, it's still hot." i said.

[ummmm]

Yes, I do, I don't care if they're alcoholics or druggies, they still need their fix.

Sudden alcohol or drugs withdrawal can kill you.

[retrocop]

//Sudden alcohol or drugs withdrawal can kill you.//

I'll have to remember that for the wife. PMSL

[andy-hughes]

I will often give the money for a Big Issue, and let the vendor keep the issue and re-sell it.

I remember asking a guy directions in Birmingham, to get back to the station after a gig, and he was really polite, and suffering from what could be turning from a cold into something serious. I went and had a McDonald's for tea, thought about him, and bought him the same, and he was so grateful, and I was glad I did it.

[kvalidir]

Yes, people on the streets need all the help they can get and I'd rather help one person and get ripped off by a group of charlatans than miss helping the one person in need.

[Spicerack]

smurfchops// No ... more often than not it goes on drink ciggies or drugs.//

So does most of my money, smurf. Not everyone is so honest.

[Khandro]

Yes, but then I always feel better for doing so. The question I often ask myself is, do I do it to feel good, (slightly smug and self-satisfied) or to help a fellow human in need (compassion). I don't know the answer, probably both.

One good thing to say about Islam (and I don't have many) is that giving charity to the poor is an instruction not an option, which it more or less is, in Christianity.

[Spungle]

Very rarely. I have done in the past, but nowadays if I give anything, I give socks. You can get 5 pairs of warm socks for a fiver from Sports Direct, and at least you know where your money is going.

[Canary42]

It all depends on who they are. I judge each case on its (apparent and/or observable) merits.

[Old_Geezer]

Morally, do you benefit as a person if it's required rather than voluntary ?
We should want to help others, not be forced to; but ideally within a system that minimises the chance of being suckered, and maximises the chance of help given where needed. That's why governments should provide the care as they are best placed to identify and run such a system. Individual charity is chaotic and the results inevitably must match.

[Canary42]

Good post OG.