to think that if I want to buy a homeless person a coffee I can?

[SuperMassiveIssue]

In McDonald's. Homeless man taps me on the shoulder at the self service. 'Excuse me miss, I'm homeless and was wondering if you could spare any change' - me: 'I've got no change on me but I will happily buy you a coffee?' - homeless man: 'that would be amazing if you could, thank you so much'

At which point a miserable old git scowled at me and said 'you're just as much of a problem as they are'

I feel angry. We don't do enough for the homeless in the UK in my opinion and actually, what harm is it for me to buy a man a drink?

Probably should've let it go over my head but it's upset me as my brother was homeless for a short while. He's wonderful, generous, kind, and sadly misguided at times. He's turned his life around and I'm so glad for those who bought coffee and food for him whilst he was homeless unbeknownst to his family...

The Homeless and Working Dispatches that has just been on..............the homeless security guard who works at Prada says he feels safer on the streets than in the night shelter

true enough Helena!

It was a kind thing you did. There’s not enough kindness in this world. The old git should fuck off and mind his own business.

I occasionally buy a little something for the local homeless woman, but would never do it for a homeless man.

A genuine homeless person will always accept a drink or food, there may be some "career beggars"

I feel like I came across one not long ago. It has really made me think twice about some homeless people! I am happy to give spare change to anyone.
One day, I saw a man sitting outside a shop. I had seen him a fair few times!
I had about £6 in change in my pocket. I gave it him. He practically cried when I gave it him.
I felt so touched by his thanks I bought him a sandwich from inside shop. Came out, gave him the sandwich. A chicken salad sandwich.
He looked at sandwich, passed it back and said 'I don't like salad'
I said 'oh I am sorry, why don't you pick the salad off'
He looked at me and sternly said 'bab, I said I don't like salad'
I said very well then, took sandwich back and gave it to the homeless man opposite who ate it within seconds'
I really wish I gave my money, money I could have spent on my children, to somebody who was appreciative of any food bought for him as the second guy was'

I now really question who is really homeless and not.

The thing about giving £1 to a homeless charity instead of to a person is it funds the huge salaries of CEO's and their expense accounts and their minions and centralised services - all paid for before charities distribute anything at all.

Ah, all the Lady Bountifuls proudly proclaiming that they don’t give money. I do give money, because it gives people agency. Gifts shouldn’t come with conditions. And hostels cost money - you can’t buy a night in one with commuters’ sweaty cheese ‘n’ pickle sarnies. ‘No genuine homeless person will turn down food’ - utter bollocks.

definitely no reason not to buy someone a drink/food, I tend to agree in general though that you're better off giving what you can to the charities as they're best placed to help long term.

I always say to my DD, even if some of them are slightly scamming, it's not the sort of thing that anyone with good options would do for a living.

Buying a homeless person something temporary is as much about us feeling better about homelessness as it is about helping them, giving a monthly donation to a relevant charity is really more help although it's impersonal.

I'd say just tax us more but that doesn't seem to get anyone elected...

you did a lovely thing op especially if you are a bit strapped for cash yourself

Buying a homeless person something temporary is as much about us feeling better about homelessness as it is about helping them

Yes, it probably is, but it's also a way to demonstrate something personal to them too. That not everybody who walks past them is immune to them, and that not everybody thinks their existence is pointless.

I worked in Greggs years ago when I was a student and it was the worst job I’ve ever had. I’ve done bar work, retail and waitressing before but none were as bad as that shitstorm of a job. It’s unbelievable how rude the customers were and also you get some ridiculous requests for things such as a pasty in a butty or the tiny breakfast sausages slicing in half (they are fucking hot! It burns!) Trust me, after an hour or two of standing in that place you are fucking miserable.

Off topic I know but there’s a good reason Greggs staff look miserable, they are bloody miserable!

@LuluJakey1 - the homeless charity I worked for spend ever single last penny on our clients. Salaries, expenses etc came from grants. None of the donations were used for staff at all.

i can see that Torn, I would just say to people that are dropping a bit of change, drop a bit of change into a direct debit too. I don't work for a homeless charity btw (boring IT person), but it's tax efficient, and I always question my payoff psychologically - it's lovely to personally donate money, not sure it's best in these cases always though.

I don't agree on inflated charity salaries - there are some fantastic homeless charities in Scotland - there need to be, big problem here.

I did actually want to comment on this thread that when I worked in Greggs, a homeless man used to sit outside the store asking customers for food. Sometimes he would get one customer to buy him food then he’d hide it and sit back outside waiting to ask the next person. At times he would ask them to make it a meal deal when they’d offered to get him a drink. He was a bit of an entitled twat actually and never thanked anyone. He also once got caught stealing donuts.

I can see why he'd hide it though - he will need to save it up. If he's seen eating it there, it lessens his chances of anybody else giving him food.

They might be homeless, but they can still have a brain and common sense and dare I say, entrepreneurial spirit!

not only that, i've seen some poorly people on the streets of Scotland's cities clearly in desperate need of professional help, and a bit of change isn't going to deliver that. I can think of one case who was telling me his dog was stabbed and I had no idea what to do (couldn't see any wounds, suspect he was mentally unwell and had my kids with me) and another that was clearly burning for a fix of something, the poor man.

the charities are equipped to make a big difference, I can't make a big difference with the odd £1 here or there directly to someone.

This is a good website to donate to, as many homeless people have pets, and thus can't get into most shelters:

www.dogsonthestreets.org/

I can't make a big difference with the odd £1 here or there directly to someone

I disagree. It does make a difference. It won't change the world, but it makes a difference. If only for 30 minutes.
Of course a larger scale effort might make real change, but little day to day gestures still matter.

Think big, but still act small if you can

I regularly buy food and drink for homeless people, don’t let this stop you from doing so. You are not wrong

Who cares what the git said? Can’t you just give to a homeless person without asking the rest of world if it’s okay?

One thing that people rarely think about - homeless women need sanitary products. It's one of the thing homeless charities as for a lot. I can't imagine being homeless on the street during my period. It must be so hard .

I never carry cash really and wouldnt want to give money tbh, but theres a courtyard near work that a couple of regular homeless guys sit. I always offer food/drink if im going to greggs or mcds. Mcds refused to serve me once though cause they believed i was "adding to the problem". Greggs never mind

NoLight Good job they were getting grants then- if they weren't I bet the CEO salary would still come first. Not that people who work for charities should not be properly paid but they are overpaid at the top with ridiculous packages.

No Light ive bought sanpro for two homeless women and i put some in the food bank donations when i donate food.

I have given the odd £1 when possible.