Poverty

Yes if i have any spare to give and it is usually always a pound. xx

There's homeless and homeless. I worked for 2 or 3 years as a volunteer in a homeless shelter and found the users to be extremely varied.

Many lived on the streets, some had very basic, and often temporary, accommodation like a bed in a shared room in a hostel. They all had problems some of which arose from their predicament, and some that had put them there in the first place.

Alcoholism, drug abuse, mental health issues, crime, learning difficulties, disablement etc., they all had one or more of these problems.

On a Sunday they would wander in off the streets for tea, coffee, toast and a hot lunch and somewhere warm to sit for a few hours. We treated them all the same and made them as welcome as possible and showed them respect and dignity. Some were cheerful and grateful for what we gave them. Others were morose and surly. Some simply confused.

You got to know some better than others. Naturally you liked a few and tolerated the others. What you NEVER did, and this was part of the training, was to give them MONEY!

The nature of the beast, pardon the analogy, is that their situation makes them somewhat devious and opportunistic and we were all warned that to once give in to an approach for money would encourage them to continually seek you out for more and tip off others that you were a soft touch. You could be waylaid outside and pestered for more.

So my answer is generally no, I would not give a stranger money, since I could not be sure that I was not simply funding an addiction and making their situation worse. Such unfortunate people need practical help which is hardly ever forthcoming.

I have in the past but not recently. It's a difficult one. I feel so bad for them for the reasons Grumpus said. Although I don't have his experience. I was thinking about this the other day actually. You can't judge if anyone 'deserves' something, you can only know if you can afford to help. I can't. But am thinking of helping at the church kitchen for Christmas dinner, if they're doing the same this year.

I have, although i do tend not to, in preference to buying a coffee or a sandwich for them instead. butin all honesty i find it an instant judgement i make that dictates whether i give or not.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Not really sure why.
Always polite to Big Issue sellers though!


Alan

i don't, same reason as Grumpus, you don't know what they'll do with it. I'd rather put my cash towards a charity or something which will help, although to be honest at present I don't as there are too many charities and its which one to support that gets me.

I dunno, it's difficult. You have to judge each case on it's merits.
I can't remember the name of the comedian who said "it's so worng to say 'I'm not gonna give money to that homeless guy cos all he's gonna do is spend it on drink and drugs. Hell, that's what I'm gonna do anyway!" Hmmm. It's like poverty everywhere actually (eg Africa) does throwing money at it solve or perpetuate the problem. I suppose it's the difference between a charitable act and an actual policy. Giving money to a homeless is a kind act in itself, but does not solve the problem - so are you actually giving the money to make yourself feel happier or to help the problem. If you wanna help the problem then give to a good charity, otherwise give them something other than money (a meal/blanket/cigarette).

You wouldn't give a fat kid a doughnut to stop him crying.

The problem with many homeless people is that they have been totally FAILED by the state. Politicians don't care about them because they are usually not voters.

None of them were born homeless. They grew up with personality disorders and mental health issues which were overlooked by schools, health and social services and the justice system, until they slipped into behavioural problems, addictions and crime, or simply opted out of society. We do far more for immigrants! ... But that's another story.

No. I was put off this some years ago when I was asked "I'm hungry, can you spare some change". I diddn't give money, but I took him to the chippie and bought him a nice portion of fish and chips. He said thanks and as I walked away I saw him just throw it all in the bin, virtually untouched.

I know all cases are different and not all are like that person was, but it's the not knowing their circumstances that makes me wary.

Tom.

No I don't. Why? I don't really know except that I have other causes that I would prefer to give a donation, money only goes so far.

A great question and smashing comments.

I used to..Untill I started voulonteering at the Homeless shelter. Staff there told me not to give money...'Killing with kindness' was there word's...It enabled many of them to fund drug habit's. Now...I would give something to eat or buy them a cup of tea....But more importantly...Id give them a smile x

No. Grumpus explained it best why not. Also, many foreign beggars aren't really poor, they are part of an organization of scammers.

I do feel sorry for the real poor, those who found themselves in this situation due to job loss or divorce etc. But giving them money (which they won't necessarily spend on food) won't help them.

I totally agree with AntLady many of them are not poor it has become their profession, they beg money and live with it.
They cash on your sympathy.
Earlier i used to give money and then now i have realised that they really are not going to change, they are used to easy money.
I saw a lady who is crippled and in a walking chair and selling pillow covers in a busy market, then i knew that if u r poor you should definitely try to come out of it but not become parasites.
n believe me i come from a country which has more people who live far below poverty line ...
But all of them are not beggars...

A lot of interesting answers to this predicament. If you think that the person is genuine then if you have money give it and direct them to the nearest Salvation Army Citadel. David.