Do you give to beggars?

inneed

My sister and I were in town today, when a beggar asked for spare change. He wasn't harrassing us, just sitting by the car park pay machine (yes, I know, good tactics). My sister immediately said no, to which he replied thank you anyway, but I gave him some money.
It sparked quite an interesting discussion, with my sister saying he should get a job, and me saying that it could happen to anyone, and he had no chance of a job without an address.
What do you all think?

tinktinktinkerbell

i dont give to beggers

i feel so sorry if they have a animal with them (for the animal)

Blackpool_Saver

It's hard to tell between the genuine cases and the fakes, I worry I may give to someone who does this as their day job while claiming benefits........

Blackpool_Saver

tinktinktinkerbell wrote: »

i dont give to beggers

i feel so sorry if they have a animal with them (for the animal)

yes so do I

19lottie82

I don't because my view is (and I know this isn't going to go down well with a lot of people) we have a welfare system in place in this country, no one should be begging for small change in a car park.

meritaten

unless the rules have changed again - you cannot claim benefits without an address even if its a C/O or temporary one.

Kittenkirst

I generally always do, my older brother has mental health issues and from the age of 16-28 was staying in homes for vulnerable people, hostels, shelters and sometimes on the street. He now has his own supported flat through the wonderful work of charities such as MIND and the people who run day centres etc.

I know my brother inside out and he is the sweetest, most caring person I know, he just had a difficult start and some obstacles thrown in his path. I'm so proud of him.

I guess what I'm getting is that, every person on the streets is that- a person. They are someones father, son,uncle, friend etc and if a pound or two means they can get a hot drink (or something stronger) to get through the day then its money well-spent in my opinion :0)

Kittenkirst

(I do appreciate that this is my opinion though and dont judge anyone who doesn't!) :-)

LMCD

I was once stood to pay for my parking ticket and a man asked me if I wanted his last big issue, was rolled up and I said ok. Then when I got to car I went to unroll the big issue to see it was a free supplement out of the paper! the booger had done a runner..I half laughed, half scowled.. .. am over it now......... kinda!

toomanyshoesfortwofeet

Yes, I do, so long as I have change in my pocket. I say no if it means rifling though my purse or handbag.

marleyboy

I will give to genuine homeless people (who are not blind drunk on cider) when I come across them wrapped in a blanket in a doorway, moreso if they don't ask for anything. I refuse outright to give to any beggers who hang around cashpoints or vending machines or who are hanging onto a bottle of cider.