To think I’m a mug

[Toddlerteaplease]

Walking past a cafe and a bloke stops me asking for a slice of chocolate cake. So agre to buy him one, then he starts dropping hints about hot chocolate as well. And how it was 15 hours before he got a hot drink yesterday. I should have suggested I get him something from the Tesco across the road. It was rather expensive!

Was this a homeless man?

Yes you’re a mug. But it was a nice thought!

Well yes that was a bit foolish. If you wanted to buy him something you could have offered what you could afford. Not sure why you engaged with him.

What is this post? More detail please! Who was this man, why did you feel obliged to get him chocolate cake, was he just approaching strangers?

Why did you buy snacks you found expensive for a stranger? I just don't understand this. Give him what you can afford or don't engage.

Well yes honestly you sound like a bit of a doormat. You don't owe this person anything just because he asked and the fact the bill was quite expensive for someone you don't even know is quite bonkers.

Next time, just say “no” and walk away. You don't have to respond or engage. If you want to help homeless people then make a donation to a local charity that works with homeless people.

Not sure. He looked fairly unkempt. Though from the way he started hinting at the hot chocolate, I suspect he’s a chancer. Almost suggested he give up
smoking then he could buy food.

Weird thread.

But I guess if you really must buy chocolate cake for random strangers, that’s your choice 🤷‍♀️

I know. I should really. But it is a cold day.

But the first request was for cake, not a hot drink.

Buying one man some chocolate cake isn’t going to help the general situation if you are concerned about homeless people being cold.

Oh fgs op, this is where I turn into my mother... If someone asked you to jump off a cliff would you do it? No. So stop being so gullible and an easy touch for chancers. Walk on next time. There are plenty of legitimate shelters and respite hubs for those who are genuinely in need.

This makes no sense? If you were concerned he was cold why would you initially agree to buy him a chocolate cake?

It seems like no good deed goes un-published…

Can I have a tenner please OP?

I have no issue buying food and drink or giving money to homeless people its something I've done multiple times but if you don't want to say no and keep walking.

Yes quite. I want a slice of chocolate cake too!

You made someone else's shitty day a little better OP. It's all good.

So you don't know whether he was homeless or in need, or whether he had a perfectly nice home he could have gone into out of the cold, you just bought a random stranger a slice of expensive chocolate cake because he asked you?

I've a lovely bridge, I'd like to sell you, OP.

At least it was something like food he was asking for a lot of people just ask for money full stop . I wouldn’t overthink it , you did something nice for someone and that’s that

I've bought food fairly often for homeless, as I don't want to give my money. Remember one guy asking for sarnies at a petrol station in Canary Wharf. So I bought him sarnies, a few drinks and a packet of biccies. He gave them back to me and said he didn't like the sarnie or the biccies and can I get him something else! Made me laugh tbh.

It's nice to help people OP, if you can afford it.

Yes you are a mug. If they were truly homeless you should have bought them something more nourishing than chocolate cake.

Im a bit confused. Why would you buy a random man anything at all?

I’m back in Neros, the manager who knows me well said this bloke is actually well known for doing this. Then asking for other things. Apparently he’s banned from other branches and gets aggressive if he gets refused. I’m not usually such a walk over. But I’ll definitely be less soft next time!