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

robin_banks

I work for a homeless charity and as a rule I do not give cash, there is a huge misconception that people begging are homeless it is not neccessarily the case.

Often if someone is begging (usually at a tube station) then their dealer is matter of yards away.

hellywelly5

Never cash, if I give anything, it'd be a cup of coffee. I prefer to give my money to my chosen registered charities. Money takes me too long to earn it, just to chuck it away!

robin_banks

Also bear in mind several hundred ex-forces are sleeping rough on the streets of London at the moment and yes many of these are drug users street drinkers and/or suffer from mental illnesses with limited access to medication and healthcare.

Cloudane

I don't give money to beggars in the first place. If they're honest to goodness homeless, there are perfectly good Homeless Support charities - usually publicly funded - who they can go to for free shelter, food and advice. I've been in one (fixing a computer!), they're great.

Anyone who is sitting around on the street asking for money is either too lazy to check them out, doesn't know about them (fair enough - direct them there) or not desperate enough and just want your money for booze/drugs. Or, in some cases, simply scamming people and taking advantage of their kindness. You can usually tell this if you offer to buy them the food/drink instead and they reject the idea.

loobylou2

If I'd known him a while and he wasn't a complete stranger then I'd probably take him something to eat or even go into a shop with him and get him something to eat but I wouldn't give him money. I got approached by a beggar years ago asking for money etc and I bought her something but then she just kept following me and demanding more and more every time she saw me. I was only about 17 at the time and it was a really frightening experience. TBH I'd rather give my money to a charity working with the homeless.

Cloudane

Just to add to what I said earlier. If the person was honest and said that yes they get homeless support and are trying to get themselves sorted out but could murder a beer, I'd buy them a beer. If only for their honesty and entertainment value! Pretty much goes for anything legal, reasonable and that costs only a "small amount of change".

But if they're insisting on cash, nuh uh. I can't really think of any legitimate reason they'd do so, and indirectly funding drugs (which will then often fund more sinister things like terrorism) doesn't exactly appeal to me.

panlane

I'm reminded of an occasion when I was on a night out with friends when we passed a homeless man.

One friend stopped to give them some money whilst the rest of us walked on.

When he rejoined us, another commented that the homeless man would only spend it on booze.

The friend replied, "That's all I was going to spend it on anyway."

Smurf

I'd rather give money regulary to worthwhile causes like cancer research etc. Plus I give hundreds a month to other "charities" in the form of tax. I'd never give money to a beggar, most of them round our way are winos/junkies. I would however give money to a busker.

Mrbruceman

Climbing the steps to Southend Station i encountered a homeless guy who slurred 'spare some change for a cup of tea?' at me. I didnt have any change, but knew there was a newsagents in the station that served tea. I broke a £20 buying some breakfast and decided to do my good deed for the day. I bought a cup of tea and took some packs of milk and sugar back to the homeless man. When i offered it to him, he told me to f*** off, and kicked the cup of tea when i left it on the steps for him. I don't want to make a judgement of him but it's hard when people do that.

Primrose

Bitter experience has taught me never to give money to an alcoholic (or any other type of addict) . It will only be spent on buying more alcohol/drugs. An addict will happily starve themselves to death and not eat as long they have money to buy their next dose (of whatever it is).