How do you feel about the unfortunate people who sit

[sandrajo]

outside bus stops and the likes asking passers by for money? Do you give them any?

[leelapops]

Nope, as I believe it adds to the problem tbh sandrajo.
It is a stereotype, but beggars I know are often asking for money that will pay for drugs or alcohol, as this is one way in which they cope with issues in their lives, such as homelessness.
I am happy to give money to the likes of Shelter, who do some really good work, for example, and support people that way. Pretty much everyone has the right to access a service that can work with them to prioritise their life concerns and find solutions to problems they are encountering. But me giving the odd 50p doesn't help. And if I gave �15 to get someone in a hostel for the night, there is no guarantee that they will use it for that.

Oooh you always ask such original and thought-provoking questions! I love that :)

[logic]

no, because there is absolutely no need for anyone to be doing that,

[mistys]

Well I don't give money to ******* generally, do buy the big issue tho! And a man stopped me down the street and asked for money for the bus, which I gave him. But he then hugged and kissed me, which was very uncomfortable. So I may re-think my generosity in the future!!!

[China Doll]

Rarely.

[mistys]

That said be99er's, why was it starred out???

[leelapops]

Did you mis-type the first "e", mist?!

[mistys]

I must have, whooops! Didn't want people think I was being rude towards homeless people!!

[ChocolatChip]

I was always told by my mother to give them sandwiches for food rather than some actual money, who knows what they might spend it on?
Although I rarely do =/

[haysi06]

I must admit that it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, but then again you don't know the individuals personal circumstances. I think that giving food or a can of juice is probably the better option but also know that some people have had abuse for offering a sarnie!

When I was in London recently there was a man begging on the underground line, he was filthy and abusive to people who did not give him money. He was right in your face and said he was a WWII veteran, but I don't think he was. I felt really scared to be honest, I never gave him anything. If he was a veteran then there is a sense of shame about how he has ended up, but again you dont know his personal circumstances.

[bigmamma]

Not the ones who ask everyone for 20p so they can make a phone call/ afford the bus fair , or the ones begging outside the shopping mall , who I have seen pocket their money leaving coppers only in their pot . There is however , one little bloke who sits some days under a by pass who I do give to when I can. He is grateful for anything and will take milk and food too . I don't know what he does with his money but I just think if I had to walk in his shoes for the day.

[cazzz1975]

I prefer to donate clothing or furniture to shelter or refuges.

I prefer not to give money to beggars in the street.

[pastafreak]

Only ever to Big Issue sellers..and then only rarely. There are so many of them about-every 3rd street corner it seems-it doesn't seem fair to give to one and not another. So-I end up not giving to any.

[logic]

theres an old boy who lives not far from me, walks the one mile or so every day into mansfield market place, where he can often be seen rummaging in litter bins and retrieving and actually eating beefburger and hot dogs, that have obviously been there since the night before, even cans of cola etc are used, he has never been seen in a local shop, or any other for that matter, I have lived at this address for 26 years and never known this guy to be ill, his house is never lit at night,except occasionally for a candle burning,
His wheelie bins have never ever been used as he puts his rubish in the street litter bin just a few yards away as he passes my house, he lives alone and is extremely well spoken, i know this because I spoke to him onc in the postoffice,according to local rumour this chap is extremely well off, so it just goes to show people are not always what they seem.

[Bathsheba]

I never give cash, but I often give them a couple of cigs x

[lil123]

There are so many where I live in YORK in the town centre that I couldn't afford to give to them all but I shop in charity shops and I have given them food. I just feel its bad that people have to live like that but I have been homeless myself with my kids never like them though. I do wonder sometimes if some of them are really homeless too at times as they must make a bob or two sometimes.