How do you honestly react to homeless people on the street?

[MrsBrentford]

I watched a documentary, can’t remember which, about homeless people and how they feel totally invisible, and inhuman and that made me feel shit.

Thought about my own behaviour and how I occasionally give money or food but more often than not I hurry past and avoid eye contact.

So this year I have decided to make eye contact, smile and say hello to every homeless person I see in town (and there seem to be an increasing amount in my town ).

Is anyone else guilty of this?

I think a lot of homeless people are out of sight and hidden. I think a lot of people begging have issues but not necessarily homeless

Yes I think this is a good point, and often overlooked.

When I was younger I used to give money to every homeless person I saw (I live rurally, so only ever see a few homeless people if I visit the nearest large town/city). Now, I’m more reluctant. Some of the people I see begging don’t look genuinely homeless.

I feel awful for walking past and ignoring homeless people. Like a previous poster has said, they’re rarely sitting near food outlets otherwise I’d buy them food/drink.

I haven’t seen anyone selling the Big Issue in ages. Does it still exist?

I live in London and beggars are prolific. They have certainly made me more sceptical and wary of the homeless, as they always do claim to be homeless with their bullshit spiels. So unfortunately I do tend to either avoid eye contact or just immediately say sorry and walk past homeless people in general.

I commute to work by train so am at stations frequently enough to have the same beggars ask me for money DAILY - just with a different sob story. Eg on Monday it’s “I’m homeless so need money to get a train ticket to a hostel in Wales” and on Tuesday the same person will say “I’m stranded, I need a ticket home to Bristol as I lost my wallet”. People give them money but I know they blatantly didn’t use it for the intended purpose, so it just infuriates me. They’re blatantly not homeless either - I’ve recognised some in different clothes every time and with no odours at all...

I’ve even seen someone beg for 80p for the bus, he was given it but then proceeded to continue to ask the rest of the waiting room. At that point, it’s obvious he isn’t interested in the bus ticket as he already has the money, yet people still gave him more cash?? So gullible!

I’d rather donate to charity - or buy them food, but I can’t afford to buy food for the staggeringly high amount of people I see sleeping rough daily.

@Rachelfromfriends1 - you said "I can’t afford to buy food for the staggeringly high amount of people I see sleeping rough daily."

I wonder how many of those you see "sleeping rough daily" are actually sleeping rough at night as well. Because in our town although they have blankets around them and look like they're living on the streets, they seem to disappear once the shops are shut and the rush hour commuters have gone home. The "professional beggars" who have no shame and play on peoples' kindness to make a comfortable living, then return to their homes each night, make it very hard to spot the genuinely desperate homeless people, who are often ashamed that they have to rely on handouts.

The waiting room beggars probably do well because people are kind of cornered by them -- if somebody is seated then a beggar stands over them it's harder to say no than when you're on the move and can quickly walk past them. Also, there is a kind of peer pressure - once one person gives, then others might feel obliged to give too, rather than have strangers think they're mean. The pro beggars know that.

Also many homeless people don't bed down outside a shop, they find somewhere with shelter, in stairs some have tents in parks. Hidden out the way so they can sleep with less fear of assault/abuse. That's why you don't see them in the same place at night as during the day. In my area a different church opens it's doors every night at 10 until 6 so there's somewhere to go.

If they are obvious addicts I ignore them. There are 2 men that are often outside 2 differant places we shop at, one disabled, I always give him money, the other I buy a drink for and give him that. Not sure he isn't an addict but he is polite and never in my face.

• Thing is. A lot of homeless people aren’t homeless because of addiction.

*That has come from being homeless

Hmm, not sure about this. I did some work with a homeless charity. The vast majority of their clients were homeless as a result of alcohol abuse. They often ended up on the street due to marriage breakdown and loss of livelihood.

I work for a US company and I've been perplexed that colleagues visiting from the USA have said that they are impressed that they have seen so few homeless people in London. To me, we have so many that I just couldn't understand their comments.

This last week I have been over to San Francisco to our offices there. Now I understand - the level of homelessness here is utterly shocking. It is such a prosperous, wealthy city and yet the gap between the haves and the totally have nothings is vast and ever widening. So many of the street people are obviously very unwell, both physically (lots of hacking coughs and shoeless people limping painfully along) and mentally.

I'm feeling quite down actually, what can be done to stop this? We can't let our situation at home get as bad as this.

To whoever suggested I was lying, yes it did happen! I did see the beggars walk to the far end of the supermarket car park, get out iPhones and get into a car. I put a post on Facebook and lots of people said where they lived. They changed shifts at 4pm and 8pm. Weren’t bothered that I’d seen.

I’m not saying there aren’t genuine homeless people, but there are organised beggars too. So I give to Streetpaws, Shelter and local organisations that help rather than actual money to people on the street.

@chequeboard I agree, I go to San Francisco regularly and I think it’s the worst place I’ve seen in the western world for homelessness. And they’re obviously in a really bad way there too, lots of mentally ill people on the streets. I watched the news there before Xmas and the local authorities had converted a big warehouse into a homeless shelter that was about to open, but the million dollar home owners around it were going mad about it and not wanting it on their doorstep.

I bought one of the biggest shoe sellers a hot chocolate last month, and I gave her 20 pounds, but that was an exception. I’m on my own and I have special needs, and what I find is that some people will just keep on asking for things This woman did the same thing, and I just said I didn’t have anything else. I feel very vulnerable sometimes, I want to help, but I don’t want to be… You know what I mean. It’s difficult.

It’s hard because that could be any of us one day… We never know what will happen, and maybe if I was in their position, I would do the same thing… But it’s very hard being on my own, and I’m not the type of person who can just say no very easily and walk away… It makes me feel really guilty.

I don't like the direct accusation that people are "guilty" of anything. "Guilty" of what, exactly?

Personally it feels voyeuristic to 'look at' a homeless person on the street. I do try to discretely give them money because I don't want to appear "virtue signalling" by making a bit thing about bestowing a few quid (because that's all it can ever be) on someone down at ground level, sitting on the floor on a blanket.

I wish i could do more, it's fucking heart breaking, but I also feel so bad that I've given money to one person who just happened to strike lucky that I was there at that moment, when round the corner there are another 5 equally worthy people, who I didn't give to.

So I'd rather donate to a food bank or volunteer for an Armed Forces Charity (a high % of AF personnel sadly end up on the streets through PTSD, inability to cope with civvie street etc).

There's no easy answer but people in UK are in general extremely good about giving to a multitude of great causes, so I don't think it's fair to say people are guilty of anything.

In our small tourist city some will refuse food as I think a lot of people buy food for them, my friend tried to give food and drink to a homeless guy and he got shirty with her. In our nearest big city they can be very aggressive, walk up to you, invade your space. So I tend to avoid, eyes down etc

I don't make eye contact or talk to them in my town.

The genuinely homeless, don't go with food or any supplies they need as we have a fantastic homeless network where I am.

The problem with our town is we get a lot of druggies pretending to be homeless to get money for drugs.

The advice for where I live is to not give anything, but to tell them about how to contact the homeless team to get the help and support they need.

I almost got arrested over an homeless man around 3 years ago during the heavy snow.
There was a homeless man who used to sleep under a filthy duvet in an empty shop doorway who I used to pass each day on my way to work. Now and again I would buy him a coffee and a sandwich and leave it beside him.
This particular morning, after a heavy snowfall, as I walked in his direction, a police car pulled up, two police officers for out and walked upto the sleeping homeless man.
One of them kicked the sleeping man quite hard and told him to move it.
My reaction wasn't very ladylike to say the least.
I feel heartfelt sorry for anyone who is genuinely homeless, whatever the reason, especially in winter.
It must be a miserable, soul destroying existence that I wouldn't wish on anyone.
There but for the grace of God.

There's a big issue seller outside our supermarket, she's been there for years and gets given lunch and a hot drink from the supermarket. I don't buy from her but I used to give her the free coffee until I realised she was getting given so many each day.

I ignore them tbh... I've had a chat with a couple but usually I'm going somewhere and they're going to ask for money when I'm skint and I don't know if they're safe....

Sometimes I say good morning, but then they ask for money.

I sometimes stop and chat to a regular one I see. If others ask for money I will always be polite and say no sorry and not ignore them. I do sometimes buy food and give it out.

I avoid and ignore. I don't have spare money to give them.

Oh FFS - all this fake/real homeless people. If someone’s life has got to the shittiest of stages that they’re living in a hostel sometimes surviving on nothing I think personally that still classed as homeless. Same with sofa surfers and those who male homes in empty garages etc.
This myth of the guy going back to his car with an iPad is a narrative perpetuated to make you justify your meanness and forget about the forgotten.
I will say some people begging are twats in their manner and some are not - just like the rest of society. Completely agree with Mrs Brentford also - a lot of people’s addiction issues start or increase due to their homelessness. Most people in our society are only a few steps away from homelessness

@jesus the Merc was probably another gang members car... they'll make the young or vulnerable ones beg for them

There's an increasing number of homeless in my local city, and they all ask 'have you got any spare change' and I usually just smile and say 'no, sorry', and then they wish you a good day.

The problem we have in my local city is that there are some well known 'homeless' people who aren't actually homeless, but pretend they are and make money from people taking pity on them sitting on the street etc. It means a lot of people (including myself) have become very cynical as to whether the person sitting on the street is actually homeless or not. This not only increases cynicism and makes people less likely to give money/food to those who are genuinely homeless, but I imagine it also makes it much more difficult for those who are genuinely on the streets.

Fortunately, we have a really good local charity to support the homeless that gives people a safe place to sleep, hot food and helps get them back on their feet, so I occasionally give to that. At least I know someone will definitely get a warm bed and food out of it.

The ones who hang out in my town aren't homeless. Most have been prosecuted for begging, they have homes....... They also have a raging drug habit and have become an absolute nuisance over the last few years (( hassling elderly and vulnerable people))

The ones who actually are homeless are very secretive about it. They live in tents on the beach or tucked away in green spaces. They're supported by a small charity which is well regarded in te Town and receives a lot of support. It has a cafe that anyone can pay to use but homeless people are given a free meal. I like this, I feel it takes away the stigma of homelessness. Many have ended up in paid work and live in Jobs after striking up conversation with local business owners who as well as donating to the cafe also use it.

The majority aren’t homeless. The majority are part of begging gangs

The individuals are being exploited but if you give to them then the money goes back to the gang leader so it benefits them in no way at all.

I also have real issue with people who say that they don’t care if they’re giving money to someone to buy drugs or whatever. Considering the amount of homeless drug users who die from drug overdoses/being sold drugs from a bad batch etc it astonishes me that people think it is ok to potentially fund that, and potentially be responsible for giving them the money to buy the hit that kills them.