Begging in Northern Ireland

qwert_yuiop

Rockman wrote: »

If people want to beg, whether it be foreign nationals or locals, then they are free to do so. I assume if it is illegal what they are doing they would be moved on by the police. It is when they become aggressive and confront you directly to give money that I take umbrage with.

At the end of the day if people do not give them money then they will move on. The bloke on Royal Avenue who plays that strange instrument is quite annoying as he appears to only know one tune and plays it all day long.

Begging is illegal under the Vagrancy Act. It seems to be restricted to some foreigners and not others. I've never seen a Chinese beggar

Yes, your man certainly disproves the belief that practice makes perfect. Hard to see how you could play all day and still be rubbish.

GlynD

The only beggars I've seen in town are Roma. I don't give to beggars and I certainly wouldn't give to these as they are part of organised gangs.

I saw an amusing one in Portadown a couple of years ago. Your typical middle aged Roma lady but she was sat on an old crate playing an accordion but she wasn't playing it. She pumped it in and out and hit keys randomly. The sound was dreadful.

I think this was the gang leader trying to make this particular beggar more successful but perhaps he should have taught her how to play the thing in the first place?

You see this a lot in European cities where Roma beggars are endemic. I have vivid recollections of sitting in street cafes in Rome and accordion players would come up beside you and play a very enjoyable tune. I enjoy that and don't mind chucking them a couple of Euros for the pleasure. Some cafe owners move them on though.

I had an interesting experience one night when an old army buddy and I were in Rome for the weekend. He was previously married to a Romanian girl and had lived there, picking up an impressive knowledge of the language. He recognised the ethnicity of an accordion player and spoke to him in whatever language they use. Not something I've ever seen before. Fascinating to watch and listen to.

Jersy

I was in Belfast myself yesterday and noticed the amount of people selling the Big Issue and playing instruments looking for money - really put me off!

GlynD

Jersy wrote: »

I was in Belfast myself yesterday and noticed the amount of people selling the Big Issue and playing instruments looking for money - really put me off!

Yes, you feel like being rude to them because they are so forceful in trying to get your attention.

mezza101

beggers belief people begging in norn iron with all the benefits, that said, these roma women sent out to beg all day and every day in all weather, this is cruel abuse, surely those who send them out are criminals and should be arrested by psni

qwert_yuiop

GlynD wrote: »

The only beggars I've seen in town are Roma. I don't give to beggars and I certainly wouldn't give to these as they are part of organised gangs.

I saw an amusing one in Portadown a couple of years ago. Your typical middle aged Roma lady but she was sat on an old crate playing an accordion but she wasn't playing it. She pumped it in and out and hit keys randomly. The sound was dreadful.

I think this was the gang leader trying to make this particular beggar more successful but perhaps he should have taught her how to play the thing in the first place?

You see this a lot in European cities where Roma beggars are endemic. I have vivid recollections of sitting in street cafes in Rome and accordion players would come up beside you and play a very enjoyable tune. I enjoy that and don't mind chucking them a couple of Euros for the pleasure. Some cafe owners move them on though.

I had an interesting experience one night when an old army buddy and I were in Rome for the weekend. He was previously married to a Romanian girl and had lived there, picking up an impressive knowledge of the language. He recognised the ethnicity of an accordion player and spoke to him in whatever language they use. Not something I've ever seen before. Fascinating to watch and listen to.

Roma and Romanian are different. Oh well.

GlynD

mezza101 wrote: »

beggers belief people begging in norn iron with all the benefits, that said, these roma women sent out to beg all day and every day in all weather, this is cruel abuse, surely those who send them out are criminals and should be arrested by psni

Yes you'd think so would you?

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

Roma and Romanian are different. Oh well.

Yes, very much so. We used to refer to them as Romany but it seems to be de rigeur to call them Roma these days. There's a wee treatise on the diaspora of the Roma here - if you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_%28Romani_subgroup%29

Cotta

What are the laws in relation to busking? I wouldn't mind if some of them were removed from our streets.

qwert_yuiop

Cotta wrote: »

What are the laws in relation to busking? I wouldn't mind if some of them were removed from our streets.

It's not illegal unless the council pass a by-law against it, so you need to contact your councillor.

belfastgirl23

What about the religious singing lady who stands either in cornmarket or city hall on Saturdays? She has a microphone and large speaker. The tone of her voice bounces off buildings and it would drive you mad if you had to work nearby. Personally I'd take the roma over this any time, at least they don't have loudhailers

She has also taken to singing outside botanic gardens at times too, though the local street drinkers alternately join in or shout 'it's all lies'.