Do you give money to the "Homeless"?

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Yet again tarring everyone with the same brush.
It's impossible to judge on appearance
For example I know someone who walks with crutches exactly as you describe due to having a problem with both legs
I have always gone the food/drink route so that I do not directly contribute to drugs/alcohol
Do as you see fit but why is there a need to be so rude or nasty! No sorry usually works
You never know if you or someone close could end up the same way. Never say never especially in today's world!
The least humanity can offer to each other is a kind word

Reply 21

Snufkin

Universities Forum Helper

The OP reminds me of the girl in this scene: https://youtu.be/ZGFqi5UK0yM?t=125

I think you should give money to homeless people, yes. It's not hard to spot genuine homeless people, they are the ones avoiding crowds, riding on busses/the tube all day to keep warm or clinging to a an empty cup of tea in a cafe.

Reply 22

Len Goodman

No, absolutely not. They're homeless for a reason, they had their chance and blew it.

Reply 23

MagicNMedicine

No I wouldn't give to anybody on the street but there is no point making a big deal about how you look down on them.

I think when people feel they have to justify themselves in not giving to the homeless its because secretly they feel guilty and they want to try and make enough argument and justification to make them feel less guilty. If you don't want to give, don't give. If you do want to give, it's better to give through a charity.

I can understand why people find some of the more 'active' street begging a bit irritating or having an intimidating undercurrent. I think it's more of a problem in northern cities than southern cities. Down in London, Brighton, Oxford you see a lot of homeless people but they tend to be more passive, sitting on the side of a pavement quietly asking people for change as they walk past. But up in Manchester, Leeds and especially Sheffield you encounter people that just hang around in the street or around railway stations and try to engage in conversation and sometimes they can be a bit hostile and aggressive if you don't give. Councils and charities will try to engage with them and get them in more secure accommodation and help them eg through becoming Big Issue sellers but some just reject authority and help and are very difficult to assist and these will probably stay around on the streets and yes they often have alcohol or drug problems. So I wouldn't give them money and don't particularly like them coming up and hassling me. But they are in the position they are because of problems in their life or often because they have mental health problems too, they are vulnerable people and there's no point judging or mocking them even if you find them an annoyance.

Reply 24

TeenRose29

I usually give a food or drink so that I know they're not using any money to do drugs or something else.

Reply 25

stu.dying

I live in a relatively small town but we have "homeless" people crawling around everywhere! I have to say, they're nice enough and never actually ask for money but my brothers have spotted several sneaking off back to their real house at night :K:

Reply 26

2384911

Original post by KaylaB

Sometimes I give change, but I prefer to give food or drink so at least I know where the money's going

Yeah that's understandable :h:

Original post by Sammylou40

For example I know someone who walks with crutches exactly as you describe due to having a problem with both legs

I don't know how to describe it, but they propelled themselves across the street using their crutches and landed on both feet like they were at the Olympic Games.

Original post by Snufkin

The OP reminds me of the girl in this scene: https://youtu.be/ZGFqi5UK0yM?t=125

What the - I'd never attack them! :s-smilie:

Original post by Len Goodman

No, absolutely not. They're homeless for a reason, they had their chance and blew it.

Uh oh dear I don't agree with you on that

Original post by TeenRose29

I usually give a food or drink so that I know they're not using any money to do drugs or something else.

Yeah that's probably the best option

Original post by MagicNMedicine

But up in Manchester, Leeds and especially Sheffield you encounter people that just hang around in the street or around railway stations and try to engage in conversation and sometimes they can be a bit hostile and aggressive if you don't give.

Oh yes indeed they are hostile and aggressive up here :redface:

Reply 27

2384911

Original post by stu.dying

my brothers have spotted several sneaking off back to their real house at night :K:

Yeah that's awful

Reply 28

2384911

I do like how Restaurants like Pret a Manger donate all their left over food to homeless shelters at the end of every day

Reply 29

Moonstruck16

Weren't you involved in a identical thread a week or two back?

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Reply 30

2384911

Original post by Moonstruck16

Weren't you involved in a identical thread a week or two back?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Huh? I haven't made a thread about this before have I? Let me check my thread history

Reply 31

2384911

Original post by Moonstruck16

Weren't you involved in a identical thread a week or two back?

Posted from TSR Mobile

I can't find any :s-smilie:

Reply 32

Moonstruck16

Original post by AshEntropy

Huh? I haven't made a thread about this before have I? Let me check my thread history

Haha no I mean you were involved in it, not started it.

But in response to this thread, no I don't give money but I will buy things.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 33

Galadrielll

I think everyone should give money to the needy so yes I do make a point of giving money to the homeless. And I even donate clothes and food because charity is a big part of my faith.

But I suppose you're talking about giving money to the 'homeless' people who sit on the pavement by he parking meter or ATM. I generally do not if they are white because I know they get benefits so they're probably feeding their addiction habits. However if it is a person of colour I always give whatever I have.

Reply 34

Cherub012

Original post by AshEntropy

Sometimes I do think about doing this, but again, I worry that they're just pretending to be homeless to get free food. It really plays with my moral compass.

Fakers wouldn't really want free food. I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

Reply 35

JooW

Original post by AshEntropy

Yeah that's the exact thing that makes me not do it :frown:

Well I really hope that that will turn into "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

Mhm.. I was in the pharmacy a few weeks ago and I saw this guy, clad in tracksuit, with a prescription that he said "Gave him his fix" - what is this?

So... one person? There are millions of people reliant on substances. If the government was doing a better job of providing monies to charities that aid the homeless instead of renewing Trident perhaps this may be a more common scene

Reply 36

2384911

Original post by JooW

Wha? Sorry - I wasn't being sarcastic, I actually meant "what is this" - what is the stuff they give them?

Reply 37

Sammylou40

Original post by Galadrielll

Like the charity giving but how on earth can you judge donation by colour????? There are plenty of single whites who don't get anything as well as other ethnic groups who know how to milk the system!!!!!