'Free Breakfast for being a celeb!' blog discussion 30 May 2008 at 12:03PM in Martin's Blogs & Appearances & MoneySavingExpert in the News 8 replies 2.3K views

Former_MSE_Lawrence

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's 'Free Breakfast for being a celeb!' Blog.

Click reply to discuss below.

emphatiC_hanK

Call me cynical (ALL;"You're Cynical!") but maybe we should have a vote on what the homeless chap spent the majority of his windfall on:

a) a hearty meal and a cup of tea
b) a four-pack of special brew
c) twenty Lambert & Butler
d) food for his pet dog

I've always found it amazing how many can afford alcohol, tobacco and pets.

REDMADCURLS

Maybe Martin could have given the waitress the £7 as a tip??????? Not doubt she is on a poor wage (comparatively) and needs tips to make up her income

REDMADCURLS

emphatiC_hanK wrote: »

Call me cynical (ALL;"You're Cynical!") but maybe we should have a vote on what the homeless chap spent the majority of his windfall on:

a) a hearty meal and a cup of tea
b) a four-pack of special brew
c) twenty Lambert & Butler
d) food for his pet dog

I've always found it amazing how many can afford alcohol, tobacco and pets.

Maybe if you lived on the streets you too may need fags and beer to get through the day - and hey you ever looked at the dogs these people befriend - not exactly well fed and groomed!

Think its a case of 'walk a mile in their shoes............' before you should comment on their spending habits.

SunnySusie

Yeah, give it to the waitress!

REDMADCURLS wrote: »

Maybe if you lived on the streets you too may need fags and beer to get through the day - and hey you ever looked at the dogs these people befriend - not exactly well fed and groomed!

Think its a case of 'walk a mile in their shoes............' before you should comment on their spending habits.

Oh this is gonna go off topic quick! Most of us, forced to walk a mile in their shoes, would head off and start getting our lives back on track. People arent homeless because they "cant get a job" etc. Its always down to a long history of difficulty. People who want to help themselves usually do and there are actually routes out of that desperate situation for those that want it.

I honestly do believe that if such people dont set themselves on that path then there is little we can do. You cant make anyone behave in a way they dont want. Those with real mental problems should be helped by society, the government, organised charity.

Donating a few quid on the street is no solution to these peoples' deeper problems. If you really care, get involved with any of the many charities dedicated to this area. Like I did ! Funding someone's drug habit helps no one.

brownbake

REDMADCURLS wrote: »

Maybe Martin could have given the waitress the £7 as a tip??????? Not doubt she is on a poor wage (comparatively) and needs tips to make up her income

I think he did say he gave the waitress a tip!! This incident reminds me of an episode of the Sopranos Season 6 Episode 72 when Christopher went to Las Vegas I think trying to tout his film.
He met Ben Kingsley and had a meet with him. He blagged his way into the "Luxury Lounge" which was where all the designer brands give celebrities free luxury goods like pens, jewellery watches, clothes etc.
Even Sir Ben admitted he was appalled at the irony. He could easily afford all the things but got given them free.

I guess that is a "perk" of being in the media / celebrity. I wouldn't complain about it. As to giving the saved money to a homeless guy who cares what he spent it on? Homelessness is a serious problem and to dismiss homeless people as living like that as always their fault or choice is idiotic. Most homeless people have no choice and don't have the opportunity to sort something out until it is too late.

Personally I don't give directly too them - because I don't have spare money!! And I hate aggressive beggars.

brownbake

REDMADCURLS wrote: »

Maybe Martin could have given the waitress the £7 as a tip??????? Not doubt she is on a poor wage (comparatively) and needs tips to make up her income

I think he did say he gave the waitress a tip!! This incident reminds me of an episode of the Sopranos Season 6 Episode 72 when Christopher went to Las Vegas I think trying to tout his film.
He met Ben Kingsley and had a meet with him. He blagged his way into the "Luxury Lounge" which was where all the designer brands give celebrities free luxury goods like pens, jewellery watches, clothes etc.
Even Sir Ben admitted he was appalled at the irony. He could easily afford all the things but got given them free.

I guess that is a "perk" of being in the media / celebrity. I wouldn't complain about it. As to giving the saved money to a homeless guy who cares what he spent it on? Homelessness is a serious problem and to dismiss homeless people as living like that as always their fault or choice is idiotic. Most homeless people have no choice and don't have the opportunity to sort something out until it is too late.

Personally I don't give directly too them - because I don't have spare money!! And I hate aggressive beggars.

UproarUK

emphatiC_hanK wrote: »

Call me cynical (ALL;"You're Cynical!") but maybe we should have a vote on what the homeless chap spent the majority of his windfall on:

a) a hearty meal and a cup of tea
b) a four-pack of special brew
c) twenty Lambert & Butler
d) food for his pet dog

I've always found it amazing how many can afford alcohol, tobacco and pets.

Agreed, surely it would be better to give the money to a registered homeless charity who can claim the gift aid rather than the guy in the street to spend on smack. No doubt Martin is a higher rate tax payer and would get an extra tax bonus as well, which would go someway towards a tip!

skylight

Next time, can you take me for breakfast too??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!