The women beggars- Oxford Road (MANCHESTER)

Do you think they are really enjoying the experience themselves? Have you ever considered how or why they might have ended up in that situation? Probably don't care though, right?

What is there primary motivation then?
I fail to see how anyone with children in this country could need to beg.
Do they have access to the same services as everyone else. I'd like to think no-one would choose to beg because it's so humiliating, but I have heard that some ordinary people with normal jobs do it in their spare time to supplement their income.

It's easy dealing with people who stop you and hassle you in the street, just ask them for money. Its the best way of getting rid of beggars or those charity muggers on Market Street who want you to sign up your details to pay direct debit to their charity. Just ask for some money, say its for a sandwich or for the bus because you're lost and have no bus fare. If they try and break off just say "please, its for a sandwich, please, just a sandwich". When you try that people soon disappear. It also works on those "have you had any accidents at work in the last 2 years" types...."no mate, you haven't got any cash have you please, just for a sandwich please, just a sandwich or a coffee..."

I really can't stand the 'chuggers' on Market Street, I don't agree with forcefully trying to make people give to charity. I don't mind helping homeless people if they're genuine but as this thread shows many of them just con people.

Wait till you graduate from university and you start getting phone calls saying "as an alumnus of this university I am sure you will be keen to give other students a chance to enjoy the best education, would you consider making a small gift of £300 or whatever you can afford to the alumni fund?"

Headscarves have little to do with being Muslim. They are very common in Romania, amongst the gypsies. Who coincidentally are the most prolific beggars in many European countries.

I have them on my tail all the way to friggin work: When I refuse to give anything to them they start screaming at me that doctors should help other people and start ranting about how we're overpaid. What really puts them down is when you tell them they should have tried a little harder. Classic response is *But my family wasn't supportive!*.

Every time I've been to London in the past few months, I've seen those women. I don't tend to give to homeless people as I rarely carry change any more, at least, not a large amount.

I've given money to homeless people and beggars many times before. I gave one a £5 note once and then I went into a newsagent to buy a magazine and a chocolate bar, he followed me in there and bought cigarettes. I asked him "so that's what you're using my money for?" and he swore at me. There are quite a few Big Issue sellers around where I live. There is one really nice on who I've chatted to a few times, I usually buy one from him when I'm in that area. Then there's another one who follows people down the street shouting at them, then pulls his iPhone out to have a rant about how everybody is such a tight b*stard these days.