Beggars

[DieScum]

I don't give money on the streets. I donate to Oxfam to fight against poverty globally.

I don't think I'm helping if I give money to someone on the street. Everyone that gives is making begging a viable lifestyle choice. Which isn't good for anyone involved.

[Chugnut]

Dunno who that is

He's from Spinal Tap. There's a whole routine about his amplifier going up to 11 when most stop at 10, so his is 1 louder. My joke was a hilarious take on this.

You had to be there, I s'pose.

[cailin maith]

He's from Spinal Tap. There's a whole routine about his amplifier going up to 11 when most stop at 10, so his is 1 louder. My joke was a hilarious take on this.

You had to be there, I s'pose.

Bit before my time, I think

[Chugnut]

Bit before my time, I think

Yeah, mine too. My dad told me about it.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

He's from Spinal Tap. There's a whole routine about his amplifier going up to 11 when most stop at 10, so his is 1 louder. My joke was a hilarious take on this.

You had to be there, I s'pose.

I get it - I was there and am probably old enough to be everyone's dad

[expat]

I get it - I was there and am probably old enough to everyone's dad

[Spacecadet]

Don't give them food, thats just exacerbating the situation

Give them money for drugs instead

[threaded]

Don't give them food, thats just exacerbating the situation

Give them money for drugs instead

Sometimes I think that might be the kindest thing. Give 'em an enormous wad to go and buy the best charlie they can lay their hands on. Saves some time in their downward spiral to the grave.

[NickFitz]

Once in the Eighties I was walking down to work at about half ten in the morning when a wino came out of a supermarket a few yards ahead. He appeared agitated but, seeing me, his face lit up.

As he rushed over to me I braced myself for the usual sob story but to my surprise he opened his hand, revealing about 70p, and said "Mate, have you got eight pence - I'm that much short of a bottle of cider!"

I was so impressed by his honesty that I gave him a quid and told him to get two

[Gonzo]

It could be easier to end up there than you might imagine:

In my life I have seen people buying Tennants Super Lager at about 8am in the morning twice.

Once was two wino's scraping together enough coins for a 4-pack between them. They were quite happy that they were sorted for the rest of the morning.

The other was a chap in a suit who had just arrived on a train at Waterloo. I saw him walking out of the shop and stuff three cans (an odd number I know unless he had already put one somewhere else) into his brief-case. He didn't say what he was planning to do with them, but I imagine the intention was to consume them before his journey home.

Me, I never give to beggars in the street. The only ones I have seen in London in recent years have all been junkies and giving them money directly will only serve to extend their misery.

Mind you, I never give to people with collecting tins in the street either.