Beggars

[KentPhilip]

Me and a (female) mate walking into Clapham Junction. Beggar comes up "I neeeed £2 to get the train home to Barnes. I've got noooo money"

OK says I. We were going to get the train to Barnes as well, but as there's three of us, we'll get a taxi, and you can come with us for free.

She followed us out of the station as she just repeated the line over and over again about needing £2. But she refused to come with us into the taxi, just repeating the previous line.

The irony was lost on her completely.

[EternalOptimist]

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.

Good point Gonzo. Not all beggars are drug taking, cider swigging denizens of the street. Some are respectable, tin rattling, guilt inducing, BBC policy changing twats

[Sysman]

One of the TV networks did a programme on homelessness a couple of years ago. There was a guy who said the reason they drink alcohol is not because they are alcoholics, but because it helps them to get to sleep on bitter cold nights (even though they know alcohol itself lowers body temperature).

I didn't see the TV programme, but did hear a talk on the Beeb from someone who'd been involved in making it. He started out by saying that we shouldn't take the moral high tone on booze; if we can look forward to a few beers of an evening, why shouldn't the guy who has no home also partake? Yes, he did mention what you said, and also went on to say that you shouldn't wake up someone sleeping on the street when it's freezing to give them assistance, as they've probably had a sod of a time getting to sleep in the first place.

Having said that, I generally don't give money to beggars. A stint in Paris taught me that.

Here's a tip should any of you know someone in the position of begging. As a Northerner, any beggar who calls me "Guv" is not going to get a donation from me. Someone who shows a bit of spirit and is prepared to entertain me will have me reaching into my pocket. Back to Paris again for that experience.

[Unicorn]

Beggars

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.

Lunchtime