I live in a small town, standard sort of high street, had a Woolies, got Boots, Superdrug and Wilkinsons. We have a Big Issue seller out now and again - not every day. Yesterday after a night of -6 it was raining on to frozen ground, immediately icy underfoot, not many people out. Big Issue seller, young girl in cardigan out in the rain next to a big sheltered aread at the entrance to Wilkinson. I bought the magazine asked her why not stand out of the rain. She said Wilkinson's staff told her she couldn't stand in there. It's big and not busy - no way could she block the doors or be intimidating.
I went in and although I'm shy, the Christmas music and all the glitz and "good tidings to all men" atmosphere made me feel very bad that she was standing out in the rain. I found the manager and asked if it was true. He said he couldn't let her because if he let one they'd all expect it. There has never been more than one. I pointed out if he said OK today he wouldn't have to say OK tomorrow. We eventually agreed to disagree, and I said I wouldn't be buying anything after all on principle (yeah I'm so tough!) . It just seemed so sad.
It's possible she'd figured that standing there in a wet cardi gets her more sympathy sales but I was very tempted to go to the charity shop and buy her a coat. But I had an appointment to keep...
ps should I invite her for Christmas dinner?