Guilt tripping Big Issue seller - Small vent!

forgotmyname

There was a TV show in benefit claimants and one of the guys sold the big issue, yet had a flat and benefits to live on.

By the amount of empty beer cans on the table he didnt seem to be in that much of a need.

torbrex

hollydays wrote: »

The big issue is a business . They buy the issue and sell it. How is thT begging?

It's the way I see it.

Laura_Scotland

daytona0 wrote: »

I suppose you could say that I am questioning why you didn't do the humanistic thing and buy the cold woman a hot coffee/pasty, if you were so against helping them to meet their sales quota...

I don't see begging per se, I just see a cold woman at a bad place in life.

Ok, I understand your points. In an ideal world everyone would do that when they saw a Big Issue seller or someone working/begging outside, but people have their own lives/finances to think about. I'm not obliged to help anyone meet their sales quota, it's nothing personal against them.

As you already know, I saw the situation differently. I just don't think anyone should be pushed to buy something out of pity.

asajj

torbrex wrote: »

It's the way I see it.

They are making a living. So in your opinion, everyone else who is making a living is also a beggar. No one has to help anyone else. However if you look down on them like this, you surely have other issues.

Big Issue is not for homeless people only. It used to be but not anymore. Also anyone who is earning their own money is entitled to spend it the way they wish. This could be smoking or beer or phones. At the end, they don't steal it.

If you are unhappy with a vendor's behavior, contact Big Issue and explain them what happened and they will help you.

hollydays

torbrex wrote: »

It's the way I see it.

Then I suggest you look up the definition of begging in the dictionary.
That's a very inadequate response to my question.

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

JReacher1

What annoys me about them is I used to buy it and quite a few times the guy would go "this is my last magazine do you actually want it?" So basically guilt tripped me into just giving them cash without getting the mag back! I no longer buy them.

Pollycat

I have no problem with anyone selling the Big Issue in the street nor with anyone collecting for a charity.

What I don't like and don't want is being guilt-tripped - which is the subect of the thread - by a seller who will not take 'no thank you' for an answer or for a charity collector to rattle a tin under my nose and say the name of the charity with the expecation that I'll get my purse out.
It simply doesn't work with me.

donnac2558

Here in Belfast, they hold Issues one copy each. Romanian gypsies only, never seen a Big Issue seller for years. They will not give you the copy of Issues, just want you to give them money. If they hand over the copy of Issues they will be done for begging, hence refusing to give it over.

Smoke like chimney's, nip round the corner to chat on their mobile phones. It is funny watching them. I do not engage, just walk on. If one does speak told to F*ck Off and I keep walking.

shaun_from_Africa

hollydays wrote: »

The big issue is a business . They buy the issue and sell it. How is thT begging?

Selling the magazine isn't begging.
Trying to convince people to buy it by saying that they are cold or hungry is in my opinion, a different matter.

daytona0

Laura_Scotland wrote: »

Ok, I understand your points. In an ideal world eeryone would do that when they saw a Big Issue seller or someone working/begging outside, but people have their own lives/finances to think about. I'm not obliged to help anyone meet their sales quota, it's nothing personal against them.

As you already know, I saw the situation differently. I just don't think anyone should be pushed to buy something out of pity.

Each to their own I guess... you are not obliged to help them meet a sales quota and you are also not obliged to buy a woman who says that they are cold a hot tea/pasty.

Also, do not for one minute believe that you do not have the financial capability of spending 1 or 2 pounds every now and then with the goal of making some unfortunate soul's life a bit more bearable. You are richer than the majority of people in the world if you can afford to shop in co-op regularly!

Hey don't get me wrong, I infrequently respond by buying a coffee or tea in this situation but I certainly wouldn't be questioning whether we should allow them to be there in the first place! A sort of sweeping it under the rug attitude to take.. live and let live is my motto, with the occasionalc humanistic deed. Cant go wrong with that