to feel like a mug? I gave £20 to a beggar....

[earwig1]

I went shopping with my kids in London today, and we saw many beggars, mostly Rumanian, along Oxford St. As we approached John Lewis I saw a young woman begging. She seemed to be Muslim as she was wearing a head scarf, and in her mid 20s. For some reason I was compelled to ask her if she was ok, and as she spoke some English I asked her a few questions. She said she was a Bosnian refugee and she had shelter, not homeless, and lived with her mother and her daughter. She said she has no National Insurance number, so can't work, and actually apologized for begging. I gave her £20... Now I feel silly, as I know that I should give the money to Shelter, or other charities, but while I usually walk past beggars there was something about her that I couldn't ignore.

But even giving £1 to these beggars mean it makes it worthwhile for them to hang around the tourist areas - often with babies that they drug to keep them quiet.

It keeps them in town and it keeps the pickpockets in town (often part of the same gang) because it makes it all worthwhile.

I know it's hard, but if people didn't give they couldn't exploit tourists and their own children in this way.

I know, and I only thought about the Bosnian current situation later... it jus pressed my buttons, despite living in London for 20 years and being used to beggars...oh, well...

I don't give money but will happily buy a drink and a sandwich for a homeless person, last time I was in London it was really heavy rain/storms and I gave a homeless elderly gent my umbrella and a sleeping bag I was carrying home from a party, I also did the food/drink thing. He looked like the weather he was in would be the end of him though

Yes, I'm a mug!! I thought I was smart

YOu tried to do a nice thing OP, nowt wrong with that.

But she (almost certainly) will be part of an oranisation of professional beggars. Very often it's a ploy to get you talking while someone else pickpockets you.

I doubt it was genuine OP. There are a lot of scams going on here in London. I bypass them all to be honest and give monthly to charities. That way I know I'm doing my bit.

I am @ the comments left on that Independent link.

People may well be bused into the UK, ect on 3 month visas, but to describe them as "human litter" and "These beggars" look diseased, they look filthy and their sad hard eyed calling for alms I find aberrant."

There is a reason people have sad, hard eyes .

I had NO idea there were gangs and organised begging, wow I find something new everyday to make me weep for the human race.

Whatever her situation I feel very sorry for her, she looked so helpless. So I'm cross with myself for contributing to exploitation...

If there was something about her, that made you notice her, and she stood out, maybe she did need the money. Maybe you spotted that.
Don't feel bad.

You live and learn OP

Don't be cross with yourself

If you've been part of a scam (and I'm quite sure you have) that plays on human kindness and emotion, it says far more about the scammers than it does about the victims.

Just put it down to experience.

Fake begging is not a new idea even Sherlock Holmes had to deal with it!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_with_the_Twisted_Lip

Earwig 1 I have done the same more than once and no I am not well off. What comes around goes around. People were so kind to me when I was broke
I no doubt I wil do it again I feel very few people are out to con people. You will probably think me soft/stupid

Thanks 2old, I feel the same. What's also disturbing was the response of my 10 year old: "£20??? I could buy two DS games with that!!!"

We were in a seaside resort a month or so back and were walking back to our hotel after eating dinner out. The DCs were really upset to see people begging in doorways and wanted to give them some money.

We had to stop in a shop to get some bits and when we came out we saw them laughing and joking as they were picked up in a big Merc people carrier. The local PCSO said organised begging was a big problem as tourists were easy targets.

Your 10 year old [hgrin][hgrin]

At the end of the day you performed and act of kindness, so nothing to be ashamed of. You gave with a good heart.

I once gave a woman begging in the street in France some money- she had a small child with her.
My parents went ballistic and tore a strip off me for wasting money.

As I walked back up the street I saw her again and her son was eating bread and smiling. I have never regretted it.
I would rather help someone in need even if a few people scam me. I tend to offer to buy food/hot drinks now .

I should add she bought her son the bread.

To be fair Margo they could simply have been stopping for lunch.

I'm not saying you did the wrong thing if it made you feel better...just that your parents might have had a point.

Even beggars need a lunch break if they're out all day begging.

I remember the Panorama programme, showing Roma women begging and the reporter following the woman to a house with a BMW parked outside. The team then travelled to Romenia and found the BMW outside of a large 'villa' type home. I'm not heartless, but I would think twice now about giving money to beggars.
I much prefer giving to charities who I have a soft spot for and the just giving site makes donating a lot easier nowadays.

Rather than give to beggars I give a set amount per month to St George's Crypt. It's a homeless shelter in Leeds. They provide an amazing service. Free hot meals and drinks all day and night. Some beds for the night. But hot showers for all and toiletries.

Everyone is welcome and they are non judgemental. Therefore, I know that my money is well spent and for a good cause. If I am pressed for money in the street I have a clear conscience when I decline.

The child was filthy Worra freezing and covered in snot - it was 20 odd years ago.
I know what you are saying though- am sure there are scammers everywhere now .My parents were of the opinion that people bought misfortune on themselves