What do you think of giving money to beggars?

The other day, a guy came up to me and asked for some spare change. I said I didn't have any, and it's true, I didn't. But he continued ''Aw please boss; I'm homeless and I'm just want to have a meal at McDonald's''. I could only say that I would if I could but I honestly don't have any.

For me, if someone comes up and asks me for money, I find it so hard and awkward to say no, so I just spare 50p or something. And occasionally I'll put 20p or something into someone's cup, as a way of getting rid of small, unwanted change. I don't have a habit of it though.
The thing is, some people would say 'Oh they just want to spend it on drugs, alcohol etc. And they already have their benefits.' depending on your country's welfare system.

ALL THOSE VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ARE FAKE AF
Like those videos of social experiments and how poor people spend money
ALL FAKE
Ya I don't give a shit
btw I'm just passing by

I give change if I have any

they can use it on drugs or a meal, I dont care. I'm not their mom to tell them how to spend it

griffincraft a dit :
I give change if I have any

they can use it on drugs or a meal, I dont care. I'm not their mom to tell them how to spend it

You could have used that money for something else

sure, but I dont need it. plus, it takes up pocket space. i dont need the last 10 or 30 cents for anything

Dernière modification le

Not usually. I tend to give money to those who can play impressive music, though. I don't know if you can call them beggars, though.

griffincraft a dit :
I give change if I have any

they can use it on drugs or a meal, I dont care. I'm not their mom to tell them how to spend it

If one is so concerned about them spending it on drugs, some would say the solution is to buy them a sandwich or packet of crisps instead. I did that on Christmas once; I bought a guy and his dog a large packet of ready salted Walker's crisps.

It hasn't happened to me since I'm never out but I'd buy them a bag of fast food at least.
At least I know where the money went to.

I would rather not give cash directly since people in my hometown would pretend to be homeless and ask for money all the time, using it for drugs or alcohol, despite having a home.
Recently, there's a man who pretends to be homeless and he hangs next to my school and asks for students and anyone else shopping around for money (and uses his dog as bait), but I've talked to someone who knows him personally and he isn't homeless and is able to care for his dog like the average person. He makes roughly $200 a week begging.
I want to tell kids in my school not to give to him yet with how ugly the world is I don't want them to feel like they can't give to those who seem in need at all because of distrust.

#10

^That's true. I read in the papers recently about a guy who makes £5,000 (or was it £50,000?) a year, and he has a reasonably-sized home. 'Professional beggars', they're called.

Although, what if they really are in need? What if they're being honest? I might figure 'bleh, my 1 quid isn't that important, may as well give it to someone who possibly needs it desperately'.

#11

Well I'm not sure. I don't usually give them money because I'm broke XD But if there are kids, I eventually spare some change for them.
My parents are like OMG GIVE THEM ALL YOUR STUFF!!!111

#12

sometimes i have a hard time believing whether or not they're legit but sometimes if i think they're real i'll give them some extra change if i have any on me

#13

if i have some pocket change i'll usually give it to them

#14

i'd rather buy them a meal than give them the cold cash in case you dread what they are doing with ur money later bc there really is no way of knowing

#15

birdluv a dit :
i'd rather buy them a meal than give them the cold cash in case you dread what they are doing with ur money later bc there really is no way of knowing

This is me. Usually the way to tell someone is genuine is if you offer to buy them food and they don't refuse. If they don't, they're more likely to be actually in need.

#16

Haruhitastic a dit :
birdluv a dit :
i'd rather buy them a meal than give them the cold cash in case you dread what they are doing with ur money later bc there really is no way of knowing

This is me. Usually the way to tell someone is genuine is if you offer to buy them food and they don't refuse. If they don't, they're more likely to be actually in need.

Um... No offense but a few weeks ago there was a young child that was begging for money and claiming he was really hungry. I bought a burger and gave him it, and he threw it in the trash can seconds later. :|

#17

Does putting spare pennies into a McDonald's charity box count?

e: do friends that beg me count?

Dernière modification le

#18

Thedalek a dit :
Does putting spare pennies into a McDonald's charity box count?

Giving money to charity and giving money to beggars on the street aren't quite the same thing ^^'

Yeah, I like to spare small amounts to change to charity. Especially if it's a cause I like, for example I might give £2-3 even as much as £5 to a charity dedicated to researching a chronic illness which I suffer from.

#19

huggykitty a dit :
Thedalek a dit :
Does putting spare pennies into a McDonald's charity box count?

Giving money to charity and giving money to beggars on the street aren't quite the same thing ^^'

Yeah, I like to spare small amounts to change to charity. Especially if it's a cause I like, for example I might give £2-3 even as much as £5 to a charity dedicated to researching a chronic illness which I suffer from.

well I've never encountered an actually homeless person :(

#20

Thedalek a dit :
huggykitty a dit :
Thedalek a dit :
Does putting spare pennies into a McDonald's charity box count?

Giving money to charity and giving money to beggars on the street aren't quite the same thing ^^'

Yeah, I like to spare small amounts to change to charity. Especially if it's a cause I like, for example I might give £2-3 even as much as £5 to a charity dedicated to researching a chronic illness which I suffer from.

well I've never encountered an actually homeless person :(

Well yeah, it's only in cities you find them really.
And there's nothing wrong with helping out friends, although you've got to be wary that they're not taking you for a ride

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