Sign of the times? Homeless asking diners for money?

[crysania]

This has happened twice in the last month, but it's never happened before. Has this always been the case because I've never come across this before. I wonder if it's a sign of less affluent times for all. Unless it just coincidence.

Once I was seated inside a chain style coffee shop and somebody was going round all the tables asking for spare change. Another just today. I was eating in the outdoor area of a restaurant and was asked for change again. This was in a large city location.

I didn't have any change today either so feel bad about that. I don't carry much even if I do ever have any.

were the restaurant ok with this? that doesn’t seem ok to corner the diners

If you have money to give, give to homeless charities that put proper support in place for people. Sadly money for begging is nearly always used for drugs or alcohol and finding that doesn’t help break the cycle.

Common in certain areas in Manchester

I’ve never had this happen in the U.K. but abroad it’s pretty common. We were having dinner in Malaga a couple of weeks ago in a cornered off part of the street in front of the restaurant and must have been asked for money at least 6 or 7 times over a couple of hours. Some are quite insistent as well and don’t take no for an answer.

The restaurant staff didn't see the man today, as far as I'm aware. Inside the cafe I'm sure they did see (Pret a manger I may as well say) so I wondered if it was a usual occurrence . They were quite busy, so it may have just been that.

I saw that in a London coffee shop recently & it’s fairly common on the tube.

Yes, I've noticed this along with a general noticeable increase in homelessness all around. It's the result of the last decade of Tory governments and the cruel stupidity of austerity that has widened the gulf between rich and poor, slashed all the vital services that existed to help people before they reached such a crisis point and has driven so many people into poverty and suffering. We can give what we can but the most important thing is to never, ever vote Tory if we want to see an improvement.

This happened to me when in a city centre, outdoors, cafe, sitting at one of the tables enjoying my coffee with a friend. It's a city I have known for years but first time it had happened. Was very surprised. The employee asked them to leave the area.

Happened pre Covid. 2019.

Common for a long time in (parts of) the USA. I've also seen people approach tables at food courts and other bus-your-own-tray places to ask diners if they'll leave their leftovers for the person to finish/take away.

I've had this happen a couple of times. Both times with different people passing me a card, saying they're deaf and need money.