Begging in Northern Ireland

Blue264

After working in Manchester city centre for many years, I've become very sceptical about beggars. There's one regular who has a dog and begs in various locations around the city, but I've been on the same train home with him on a few occassions when he locks himself in the toilets, and emerges wearing good clothes.

I had an afternoon off work a few weeks ago, and was at the station about 13:00. I saw a group of 'beggars' I recognised as regulars in the city getting off the train. There are 'professional beggars' who commute to into the city and put on an act, and that is despicable. It detracts from people who are genuinely homeless and in need of help.

qwert_yuiop

Cotta wrote: »

The guy with the violin trumpet can start as early as 8 am and is there all day Monday - Saturday and in actual fact I've seen him playing as late as 8 pm on a Saturday. Not sure if he is there on a Sunday but I presume he probably is.

I've got a mouth organ here. Anyone up for a jam at lunch time?

Cotta

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

I've got a mouth organ here. Anyone up for a jam at lunch time?

As long as it's on top of wheaten bread you can count me in.

donnac2558

GlynD wrote: »

Somebody must be giving them money otherwise they wouldn't keep turning up in the same places.

I'm not sure a scheme would work though, certainly not when we're talking about the Roma. They are run by a gangmaster, although that could be a family member. Begging is what they do.

Of course idiots give them money, makes them feel good Christians helping the poor as they think. If you notice they all look very well fed.

GlynD

donnac2558 wrote: »

Of course idiots give them money, makes them feel good Christians helping the poor as they think. If you notice they all look very well fed.

We need to educate people not to give them money then.

tara747

Cotta wrote: »

Buskers are busy this morning at Donegal square, there is a guy just opposite McDonalds on an accordion absolutely murdering "Jingle Bells," now I'm not musically inclined but I would have thought this a relatively easy tune to play.

Yes, I know the guy you're talking about. :eek:

I like buskers, but playing the same thing over and over has to be mental torture!

I feel SO sorry for the people working in the shops nearby who have to listen to him play the same out of tune 'melody' 50 times in a row! How he hasn't been strung up yet, I don't know. :rotfl:

Cotta

tara747 wrote: »

Yes, I know the guy you're talking about. :eek:

I like buskers, but playing the same thing over and over has to be mental torture!

I feel SO sorry for the people working in the shops nearby who have to listen to him play the same out of tune 'melody' 50 times in a row! How he hasn't been strung up yet, I don't know. :rotfl:

It gets worse I was back up at lunch and he was playing the same tune equally badly. Someone outside of Burger King was murdering "Oh When the Saints" on the flute and to top it off someone else in Donegal square with an accordion was playing endless renditions of "Jingle Bells," this guy also had the violin trumpet contraption.

Just remembered there was someone with a guitar too but he was just shaking a cup for money and wasn't even pretending to play.

GlynD

Cotta wrote: »

It gets worse I was back up at lunch and he was playing the same tune equally badly. Someone outside of Burger King was murdering "Oh When the Saints" on the flute and to top it off someone else in Donegal square with an accordion was playing endless renditions of "Jingle Bells," this guy also had the violin trumpet contraption.

Just remembered there was someone with a guitar too but he was just shaking a cup for money and wasn't even pretending to play.

Maybe his fingers were sore by lunchtime?

Cotta

GlynD wrote: »

Maybe his fingers were sore by lunchtime?

All those renditions of Jingle Bells can be painful on not only the ears.

Old_Git

I seen a TV programe about begging .Apparently the beggars target couples to get money .The theory is the man will give to the beggar to impress the woman .