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What do you do when we see beggars on the street? I'm not talking about buskers or even the ones who pester people for money, I'm talking about the ones who sit on the side of the road just making themselves noticed.
Do you give them money? A coffee? A banana from your shopping?
I'm sure this is going to split opinions but do you feel any moral responsibility to try and help them in any way? My son often reacts by wanting to give them money as that's what they're asking for. I've sometimes walked passed one on my way into a shop and so I've bought two cookies (or whatever) and given one to them on the way out - my thinking is, I'm treating myself, and honestly will I miss the extra 50p or whatever to buy an extra one and help someone out along the way?
If I see one on my way into a shop, I'll buy a meal deal for them - they're not always there when I come out.
There was a long thread about this recently, can't remember the title though.
Who the hell has cash any more? I haven’t carried money since Covid started.
Usually see if they need anything food or drunk wise.
There's more around as well at the moment, sadly, and I can't see the numbers dropping any time soon.
We are all just a couple of missed paychecks, relationship breakdown, mental health crisis away from joining them.
Who the hell has cash any more? I haven’t carried money since Covid started.
Well, bully for you! Doesn't mean no-one else does, nor that it's something to boast about. At least you don't have to decide whether to give any to a homeless person.
It’s not boasting, it’s an observation about the difficulty of giving money to beggars now no one needs to carry cash any more. Struggle to find a shop / bus that doesn’t accept contactless cards, phone pay etc. these days so why carry cash?
Offer food, a hot drink and an ear. Makes all the difference, they have nothing.
Breaks my heart seeing the hard luck in my city.
I prefer to see more done in terms of mechanisms to help people. Nobody wants to receive charity for a living. The Big issue is great for that, as are peer-to-peer lending schemes/credit unions for people who can't go to a bank.
Also, any scheme offering training or transferable skills so you can get into the job market is great.
I never carry cash now and often wonder what the knock on effect is for the homeless who I might have given a few quid too.
Greggs do giftcards - good alternative to giving cash and they can use it when they need it