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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be a bit [hmm] that my local Big Issue seller was in the supermarket buying organic food that I can't afford?

67 replies

lillycat · 06/01/2009 21:26

I saw him in the local waitrose today with a basket full of organic fruit and veg and other stuff that I could never afford.

Just seems a bit harsh really, we have to eat value everything to make ends meet despite dp working full time and me childminding.

He has a girldfriend with a small child so they must be eligible for housing anyway

OP posts:
chancelloroftheexCHEQUERS · 06/01/2009 21:27

I believe the correct saying is, 'this thing will kick off.'

Good luck

notnowbernard · 06/01/2009 21:28

Is there nothing decent on Tv for you to watch?

The Celebrity BB thread is a good read, I've switched it on (on C4 now)

Better that than getting your knickers in a twist over something so silly

Northernlurker · 06/01/2009 21:29

Are you for real?

You know nothing about that man. He has every right to shop where he likes and buy what he wants. Your assumptions are staggering.

Just mind your own business.

If you are so hard up what were you doing in Waitrose anyway?

mazzystartled · 06/01/2009 21:29

YABU

Big Issue sellers are allowed to keep selling once they have gotten into housing as a means of getting some stability, for a limited amount of time.

In any case, what money he has is is his own to spend how he wishes.

nickschick · 06/01/2009 21:29

I admit i stopped buying a big issue from the seller outside tesco after seeing him kissing his girlfriend bye when she dropped him off one morning in a very posh car and when i realised he had 3 dogs 3 dogs are as needy as children and if i were homeless on limited income i couldnt afford dependants of the canine variety,my friend refuses to buy off her local vendor too bcos he has a mouth full of gold teeth -im not judging on the teeth situation tho .

Kbear · 06/01/2009 21:30

Yes, all homeless people should eat value brands absolutely

notnowbernard · 06/01/2009 21:32

Oh, that's alright then, Nickschick

harpomarx · 06/01/2009 21:33

and have their gold teeth extracted

daftpunk · 06/01/2009 21:34

how do you know so much about him?

and yabu....very!

nickschick · 06/01/2009 21:34

No i just think that some big issue sellers let the others down i actually make determined effort to buy mine from a lady in the market now and i gave her some gloves at christmas - not because shes poor and im marginally not but bcos i like her and i could see she had cold hands thats the person who i think i should buy my big issue from.

nickschick · 06/01/2009 21:36

daft punk did you mean me? i only know cos he told me my son was stroking his dog nd giving him some schmakos(sp) and he said he goes through lots of those treats with hving 3 dogs!!

Brangelina · 06/01/2009 21:36

You know, it's perfectly possible to afford organic veg if you don't buy meat, crisps, beer etc. For all you know he could be going without just so his child can have organic carrot batons. What's it to you anyway?

Northernlurker · 06/01/2009 21:37

Information point - being homeless does not mean you have to live in a cardboard box. It means you are without a safe and permanent place to call home.

Personal view - Big issue sellers are there for you to buy a magazine - not for you to make moral judgements about which of them are more deserving of your bounty!

nickschick · 06/01/2009 21:38

By harpomarx on Tue 06-Jan-09 21:33:55
and have their gold teeth extracted

lol i didnt mean that i dont actually live where my friend does but the man is designer clad and does have thick gold teeth- im glad big issue sellers are supported after they settle but i think that the appearance can put people off.

notnowbernard · 06/01/2009 21:38

Judgey judgey judgey

nickschick · 06/01/2009 21:39

northern lurker i rarely take the mag anyway i give it them back as dh usually buys one.

daftpunk · 06/01/2009 21:39

nickschick; no sorry, i didn't mean you (hadn't seen your post)..i meant the op....she knows he has a g/f and child...do they all sell the big issue together?

nickschick · 06/01/2009 21:41

tis ok daft punk i think ive upset people and hadnt intended to.

mazzystartled · 06/01/2009 21:43

be assured that the big issue has a fairly rigorous process to determine who can sell its magazines. if they are selling the issue officially, you can be sure their need is genuine.

i feel so sorry for those people sleeping rough tonight.

Northernlurker · 06/01/2009 21:43

nickschick - sorry the fact that you don't actually take the magazine doesn't make it ok for you make judgements about which of them are poor enough for you to support.

Many homeless people have dogs. Why do you think that is? Just think about it for a bit and you'll maybe see why you should be supporting them too.

fluffles · 06/01/2009 21:44

"a basket full of organic fruit and veg and other stuff that I could never afford"

Unless you literally don't have a pound in your pocket you CAN afford organic veg - you just choose other priorities for your family money like heating and lighting (and fair enough if you do) but we're talking about a pound or two for carrots here not fifty grand on a flash car.

nickschick · 06/01/2009 21:48

nickschick - sorry the fact that you don't actually take the magazine doesn't make it ok for you make judgements about which of them are poor enough for you to support.

Many homeless people have dogs. Why do you think that is? Just think about it for a bit and you'll maybe see why you should be supporting them too.

northern lurker i think you must know more about this topic than me,all i did was say what id seen - i can well understand homeless people wanting companions but i did think 3 was exceptional....i didnt have to stop buying from this man the supermarket that was his 'site' closed and so i presume he must have changed his spot- i do continue to buy the mag wether i take it or not is irrelevant and im not saying i expect the seller to look destitute although the lady i deliberately buy from is i think a rumanian refugee-ive obviously upset you and responded tactlessly i hadnt intended to.

Thunderduck · 06/01/2009 21:49

Do Waitrose do value produce/goods?

Portofino · 06/01/2009 21:51

Agree with Mazzy. I feel very sorry for anyone sleeping on the streets tonight. Particularly here where it was -11 at 6pm. I know lots hang out in the metro station entrances in Brussels over the winter, but it truly is perishing cold tonight. Actually rather than just mouthing about it, I might go look tomorrow at the metro near work and take them some beer and chocolate or something. I think carrot battons might not be so appreciated.

Northernlurker · 06/01/2009 21:53

I will also apologise nickschick - got my fierce, feisty hat on today! My understanding of the issue is that homelessness drives a juggernaut through your life, damaging many of the relationships others take for granted and so pets in particular dogs are very important for homeless people as a fixed relationship. We all do better when we have somebody to care about, somebody to think about beyond ourself. It was very kind of you to give your seller a Christmas gift - sure that was appreciated.