Aibu? Approached by a lady who'd had a dv partner

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I am visiting London for a few days by myself, and today seem to havè been a beggar magnet (for lack of a better term).

Well i sat down to take a drink at a bench and was approached by x2 girls from Bulgaria. One 'implied' her sister was pregnant and hadnt eaten all day and were asking for £5 (whilst holding what looked like visa debit cards, so i chatted to them for a bit and then made my escape (seemed nice but dodgy af) without giving them any cash or nothing.

The second interaction I had just now was this lady who approached me seemed to be a bit upset and looked like she'd had a rough day.

She asked me to help put her jumper back on which looking back seemed a bit odd bc of course it is 32° bloody degrees and boiling. Said jumper looked a bit messy. She said to me noone was taking her seriously and needed £8. I only had £4 cash on me so I gave her that because out of all the beggars I'd seen that day she seemed quite upset.

Like i know of course you're not meant to give money to anyone bc of being street safe and all that but that one just seems genuine compared to the first interaction 🤔🤷‍♀️

I have anxiety and now I'm starting to really overthink this. What else was i supposed to have done :(

I had alarm bells for the first pair and thinking about people who've asked approached me in other places didn't seem as upset as this person.

Was i being unreasonable by only giving £4? I don't carry cash generally anyway but that was my just in case cash.

As someone who has been a victim of domestic violence- I can’t imagine an incident where I would be walking around the city centre shortly afterwards begging people I didn’t know for money.

The morning it all happened I left the house ASAP, took the eldest to McDonald’s for breakfast and to school, took the car for it’s MOT, walked into the police station with my toddler son, stayed 4 hours telling them and showing them everything and breaking down, and then went back to town and picked the car up and bought a birthday cake for my daughter’s birthday for the following day.

My point is- at no point did I feel any need to go up to random strangers asking for money. If you’d have seen me that day you wouldn’t have had a clue.

I checked when i got back - i do appear to have everything
The bag i was holding was a harry potter bag and had a load of toilet rolls on top of my stuff as i'd popped into another shop after 😅

Nothing missing thank goodness.

I wouldn’t really think they wanted money, either set of people. I’d be more worried that they were just distracting me to pickpocket me. First ones engaging in a long, odd conversation in particular. Don’t get drawn in.

Perhaps I am particularly unfriendly but I live in London and have never experienced anything like this. If people try and stop me - whether for begging, chugging, surveys or whatever - I just say “no thank you” and walk away.

Nothing missing thank goodness.
I hoped I was wrong but it was better to check sooner than later.

Isn't it horrible when people prey on your good nature.

Yeah, they can tell you're not from round here which would likely explain you being a "beggar magnet" & are trying their luck.

What would they do? A begger asked you for money and you gave her 4 pound. It's only 4 pound mate!

OP I think some people do have more approachable expressions than others. When you're in london it might be worth trying to look more grumpy than you normally would, plus walk purposefully, don't make eye contact and if they do speak to you when you are moving do not stop or turn round. You will get much less hassle.