To be fed up of being asked for money?

[RainbowsAndCrystals]

I'm not on the bread line but I'm definitely not comfortable and I have to watch my outgoings.

Been food shopping and got approached by a man asking me for money. I said no and he continued to beg until I got in my car. It was quite intimidating.

I was sat inside costa waiting for my train and someone came in and asked me for money. When I said no he looked so angry and offended.

I'm never rude, I always say no sorry I don't have any cash on me. Which is true, I pay for everything on card.

I just want to be left alone. I'm a good person and I give to charity every single month. Yet I'm made out to be a shit person because I won't give a stranger money. Aibu?

[Reed1]

I do not live in UK but is it that bad, are there no supports for people to get a bed for the night, a bit of food, what are all the Charities doing that people donate so generously to.

I am with the cynical cohort here. I am sorry, but where I live everyone qualifies for a roof over their head, (it may be a hostel) and food. There are food banks and soup kitchens in the relevant areas, even haircuts and chiropody and health care. That is great. Our taxes pay for that.

Beggars here are all scam artists. Drug or drink money. But it eases some people's consciences I suppose to give them money. I wouldn't fall for it for a minute. Around the corner is usually a drop in centre with heat and tea/coffee and some grub. But no. Not for them.

Anyway the only people I will ever give money to on the streets are the Old Timers. You know, the elderly gentlemen who do not understand or have never been told about the support services available. They may be alcoholic but never druggies. Their time had a different drug. They can fall through the cracks. But it is food and drink I will give them, and they are so grateful.

I would not give a penny to anyone begging. They don't need to do that unless it is for drink or drugs or supporting another lifestyle.

It can be organised aswell, especially amongst some Roma (note I did not say Romanian), community, the original gypsies. They are illiterate, often abused by their men and are sent out every day to beg, only to be picked up at night by the same men in top of the range cars. I have seen it happen. Those poor women. Give them money and it will carry on.

So there we are. I am a hard hearted Hannah. No, I am a realist.

[CurbsideProphet]

I live in the NW. Manchester, Preston, Lancaster, and Wigan amongst others have increasing problems with homelessness. There are also awful people who are "professional beggars" and aren't homeless at all. It's a terrible situation. Councils can turn single men away simply by declaring them to be "not in priority need". I think that I would need to self medicate to get through a cold/wet/terrifying night on the streets.

But equally OP it is very intimidating being asked for money at every turn. Walking through a town or city centre is like running a gauntlet of chuggers and beggars. It puts me off going into town some days.

[Lethaldrizzle]

If you are desperate enough to be 'a professional beggar' - whatever that means - you're still desperate

[CurbsideProphet]

Lethaldrizzle criminal gangs will go around different cities and pretend to be homeless, often as a ruse to distract people while another member pickpockets.

[Chrys2017]

Don't buy beggars food or drink either, unless you ask them if they want it first (and what they would like).

[grimeofthecentury]

I hate when they're sat literally below a cash point and you have to lean over them. A man once grabbed my leg when I was about 17 and it scared me to death.

[Lethaldrizzle]

Curbside that may well be true but it's never happened to me

[Nomoretears56]

"Celebrity" beggar and her family also take their numerous kids (who you and I pay for) out of school every year to go to a different town begging just before Christmas! It must be lucrative organic they wouldn't do it.

[Jaxhog]

Just say no. Don't explain.

I no longer give money, but I do give my free coffee to the big issue lady at Waitrose.

[berliozwooler]

Shelter advise the public to NEVER give cash to individual beggars

No, they don't advise that at all. But you keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel less guilty. Did anyone even read the New Statesman article?

[Gingernaut]

I couldn't find any specific advice from Shelter other than warning anyone who does donate that beggars may not be homeless and many homeless don't beg.

There are charities which do specifically state not to give money.

www.thamesreach.org.uk/news-and-views/campaigns/giving-to-beggars/faq/

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11620159/Whats-the-best-way-to-help-the-homeless.html

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/how-to-help-manchester-homeless-12260387

www.cambridge.gov.uk/alternative-giving-campaign

[RainbowsAndCrystals]

I have gone and bought food for people before but I always ask them what they'd like. I bought one guy a few microwave meals as he said the restaurant over the road lets him use theirs.

Things like that I don't mind and I'm happy to do.

What I don't like is being sat in a coffee shop reading my book to be interrupted to ask for money and a look of first shock and then anger when I politely say no.

In the nicest way possible I do of course want and try to help people but I don't owe anyone anything.