MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should you give cash to the drunk homeless man?

brokeinwales

I don't give money to homeless people as a rule anyway (mainly because there's so many that if I gave to one, I couldn't justify giving to all - and if I did that then I'D be the one begging!).
But if I did I don't see how I could stop just because he's bought some beer. My employer doesn't stop paying me because I'm occasionally daft enough to spend all my spare cash on chardonnay.

mr-tom_2

I think there's a difference between a beer with some friends while you watch the football and serious addictive behaviour.

I assure you that if you showed up at work drunk in the morning and kept drinking throughout the day, then your employer certainly would stop paying you.

(Or maybe not, in which case, kudos!!)

Also, we're not talking about payment for services, we're talking about charity and I don't like to see money I work hard for and give away going to waste.

It's a question of degree and timing.

In the example here, the gentleman in question is quite drunk (can't remember whether time of day was specified).

I think the whole nub of the argument is about whether it is acceptable to fund a habit that keeps people on the street.

One group say that they have no right to judge how the money gets spent, the opposing group say that they choose who and what they give to, they want to give constructively and they actually do have a responsibility to assess how the money will be used.

In the "can we judge?" argument, I find it useful to escalate the situation somewhat. If there was a regime in, I don't know, country Z perhaps, where people were starving and aid was clearly needed, but you knew that all the aid was being grabbed by the government and used to fund their oppression of their people, then would it be acceptable to give whilst that regime was in place?

I say no as your money makes matters worse rather than better. If I scale that argument back down, then I can't give money to the drunk homeless guy although I would consider buying him a coffee or some alka seltzer!!

landsker

NO - not b..... likely!

danifox6

I never give cash to the homeless, I often buy them meals though, that way you know you are doing some good, instead of throwing money them which may lead to temptation, you are doing something a little more constructive for them that way and they are just as appreciative.:T

shaz_p

I work for a homeless charity, and very rarely give money to beggars as I know that many of them have some form of addiction. the best thing to do is give money to a charity that helps them such as Thamesreach, Bondway and St Mungo's.

*abc123*

On the way for drinks with friends, I said OK to a Big Issue seller when he offered a BI magazine for 20p. When I gave him a pound I waited for my change and he refused to give me any. Humiliating with all my friends around. (and no magazine)

Sorry but I can't trust homeless people, they're desperate and they'll do desperate things. If the drunken homeless person wanted to be helped he would go to the many homeless shelters and ask for it. Not for me to find it for him though - I wouldn't go near him let alone help him.

Cerisa

i never give to homeless people on the streets. I do however give them something for the poor dog which they are dragging round with them. It's one thing for them to choose to sleep on the streets but I do not see why they must inflict the same on a inocent dog..

I really hope this was said in a spirit of irony.

Cerisa

There are plenty of options available to the homeless including social security, council assistance, charities. A genuine down-and-out would take advantage of these, and thereby not be on the streets anyway.

People who aren't on benefits have a really bizarre view of them. I get £45 a week. My housing benefit is £220 a month, £50 *less* than my actual rent. I am in a position where i am lucky, because I have a large, interest free overdraft. However, they have put me in the position of having to get into debt and eventually run out of money. Hopefully, I should find a job before that happens. Not everybody is that lucky. Charities are over subscribed and a single man is the least likely candidate for housing. as for 'earning through begging' pshhh.

windywendy

I never give money to beggars and told my daughters not to although I give to charities and buy the Big Issue. One day my daughter was out shopping in her lunch hour and there was a young man asking for money sat outside M&S so she went in, bought him some sandwiches,fruit and a drink and gave them to him. Instead of a thankyou he said , "OH, have you still got the receipt?"

jonnygreen12345

id gladly help him out....its not as if he should be saving the money to put down a deposit on a flat...not to b rude but whatever you give to an unfortunate person like the one described is a long way from turning it all around so to give them a little relief is never to much...regardless of how they choose to spend it