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

Mozette

Yes I would, and in fact I do.
If were on the streets I think I'd want something to 'help'.

robin_banks

Smurf wrote: »

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.

FTR - Cancer Research are a very very very wealthly charity and in all honesty do not need a penny from anyone on these boards.

As a previous poster said if you choose to give to a 'beggar' and for god sake do not confuse this with someone who is homeless then in all honesty what right do you have to dictate how they spend it?.

Flower_of_Scotland_3

robin_banks wrote: »

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.

I’ve travelled around quite a lot in this country and abroad and at no time was I unable to rent accommodation. A number of times I was unemployed and claiming benefit but was still able to rent accommodation.
Do you think the people classed as ‘homeless’ in the main are people with mental health problems and drug/alcohol addiction?

notomonkeys

I don't see why the guy can't have a couple of cans if he wants. Think of all those times you've been to the pub or got a carry out to take 'home' . Life doesn't stop just because you are homeless.

Caterina

I am actually in the very situation that's being described:

There is a homeless man who sits in a spot where I often go for work, he does not openly beg but people seem to give him money, teas etc...I never gave him anything for ages.

One day he followed me, calling me quite insistently and when I turned around, annoyed at the insistence of this unknown man, I saw him hand me my mobile phone, which I had dropped inadvertently out of my handbag at the bus stop near where he sits.

I was really grateful and thanked him. Since then, everytime I go past the place where he sits I give him £1 (more or less once per week). He often sits there with one or sometimes two other homeless men and they drink strong lager. This is his life, I still feel ok at giving him £1 every time (I do not give the others anything but occasionally I bought all of them a piece of cake from a nearby shop).

Caterina

mr-tom_2

No it isn't up to me how he lives his life, but it is up to me what I will fund.
I give by buying the big issue as that supports people who are making an effort.
If I were to do more for homeless people (actually my money goes elsewhere) then it would be through a local charity where I knew who they were, what they were doing and where it would be spent to change lives rather than to fuel an ongoing decline.

tallgirld

I wouldn't give to Pete regardless of whether he has a can of Tennants Super or not!!

There is this man at the tube station who sells the big issue I would rather give my money to him as at least he is doing something.

Come to think of it I have been putting an awful lot of money in leaving collections at work recently. (I know that has NOTHING to do with the dilemma) :-)

ziggyj

I give people food if I have some on me, never money.

I usually have a little packet of nuts or something for a munchies attack! :rotfl:
The other day I gave a homeless man my doughnut I'd just bought, and he was really grateful.

I know it's tempting to judge people's addictions... but food can't fuel anyone's addiction on the streets surely (I've never seen food disorder homeless people myself). It is tempting to slate homeless people when I don't earn a big salary myself, but it must be hell to try to get back to a normal life when you've fallen.

'Plus I always feel 'there but for the grace of god' yourself etc...

robertbyfield

I would still give him money - it's an unconditional donation and it's up to pete to decide how he uses it not me - if i wanted it spent on food then i should give him food as his priorities may be different from what i assume them to be - and what food should i give him - he might be muslim (halal), vegan, have allergies - just because he's homeless doesn't mean he isn't a person
:beer:

bobcurtis

If I was homeless I think I would need a few drinks to get me through the day!