Beggars / homeless people

neil_18_

Do you give them money? Or would you buy them tea/coffee on a freezing cold day? Or maybe a McDonalds?

There seems to be increasing amounts on the streets lately. I don't give them money, because I can never tell if they are genuine or not, you know the ones with the shiny new nike runners!

I would not and never have given a Roma gypsy money, not out of racism, but because everyone knows that they live in houses/apartments and begging is like a 9-5 job for them.

But how can you tell if a beggar is actually homeless?

EDIT : Just added a poll, its private too...

Borneo Fnctn

I never give them money.

darragh16

They come askin for change for a bus, change for a hostel, change for a cuppa tea but you're right. Who's genuine or not? I don't give them money.

I also dont see why they sit beside ATM's, i'm not gonna give you money ive just withdrawn...

MrPain

Never give money to them, it only incourages them more and is most likely spent on drugs/drink/fags. I think its ok to give them food. it's usually easy enough to tell the genuine from non-homeless.

This thread beggars belief

Töpher

darragh16 wrote: »

I also dont see why they sit beside ATM's, i'm not gonna give you money ive just withdrawn...

I'm guessing it's more to do with the idea that you might be more willing to part with the loose change in your pocket if you've just gotten some fresh notes out of the wall.

lcrcboy

darragh16 wrote: »

They come askin for change for a bus, change for a hostel, change for a cuppa tea but you're right. Who's genuine or not? I don't give them money.

I also dont see why they sit beside ATM's, i'm not gonna give you money ive just withdrawn...

correction Im not going to give you anything big enough that its a note

AnonoBoy

darragh16 wrote: »

They come askin for change for a bus, change for a hostel, change for a cuppa tea but you're right. Who's genuine or not? I don't give them money.

I also dont see why they sit beside ATM's, i'm not gonna give you money ive just withdrawn...

They sit there because they know people stop at ATMs. It's pretty obvious.

Although as far as I know new legislation makes it illegal for beggars to sit at ATM or LUAS stops and the like.

lcrcboy

Töpher wrote: »

I'm guessing it's more to do with the idea that you might be more willing to part with the loose change in your pocket if you've just gotten some fresh notes out of the wall.

just got in before me:D

neil_18_

On tv3 a while ago there was a show about it, and the ISPCC advised people not to give money to people begging with children, because it will encourage more and more of them to bring kids out

darragh16

I dont like them ones that come up to you outside a pub/club either selling roses or just shoving a cup in your face lookin for money...

falan

I have been known to buy a tea for them on a cold day...

caseyann

Depends on what kind they are.Usually can tell.I refuse to give to travellers or non nationals.
Buy them a chipper and tea done few times.Buy them hats gloves scarves and gave them sleeping bags few times.And walked up to hostel and paid for their night.Will not hand them money.

My mom used to give to bang bang RIP

Holsten

Nothing, because I don't want to.

I really could not give a **** about them.

Corkfeen

I used to give them money but there's far too many of them now = way too expensive. Alot of them tend to be far too demanding to be honest.

Ronan Keating

Holsten wrote: »

Nothing, because I don't want to.

I really could not give a **** about them.

Exactly. Useless crowd of feckers covering our streets.

Boston

Give them nothing. If everyone did likewise there would be no beggars. If you actually care about the homeless, give to a charity which supports them. Don't enable people to live rough.

AnonoBoy wrote: »

They sit there because they know people stop at ATMs. It's pretty obvious.

Although as far as I know new legislation makes it illegal for beggars to sit at ATM or LUAS stops and the like.

It's illegal to beg anywhere. No new for new laws, just enforce the existing ones.

caseyann

Ronan Keating wrote: »

Exactly. Useless crowd of feckers covering our streets.

Some of them people are some how have mental disorders no fixed abode and get nothing from our government also young kids abused by parents:mad:And this country forks out millons to other country charites and to bogus asylum seekers.

Majority of the beggars you see on streets are not even feckin irish and are travelers or junkies.

MistyCheese

So very Politically Uncorrect but I give them eff all. A lot of us are piss poor, not "a lot" of us have the audacity to wag collection tins in people's faces, make the pre-judgement that just because someone isn't out asking for sympathy that they're not suffering.

Plus, I have prior knowledge of a couple of beggars who make more per week than twice the national minimum wage. Also there is the case of beggars outside of Walmarts making more than the people who worked inside.

Charity begins at home. I'd sooner pay my Bord Gais bill than give money to beggars.

caseyann

Boston wrote: »

Give them nothing. If everyone did likewise there would be no beggars. If you actually care about the homeless, give to a charity which supports them. Don't enable people to live rough.



It's illegal to beg anywhere. No new for new laws, just enforce the existing ones.

No law saying cant buy them food or stuff when not begging


Pity they wouldn't tell them non Irish who stand outside shops with asthma cards they aren't allowed to ask you three or four times would you like to help yada yada:mad: Trying to make you feel bad for not putting money in:mad:

Borneo Fnctn

I swear if I see another beggar with a baby in their arms I'm calling child services. I really do.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I drop 'em a few copper's or a Euro. Its costs a person far more to beg than it costs me to drop 'em something... 'There but for the grace of God go I' and all that.

If someone finds their comforts in drink or drugs I'm in no position to sit in judgement over them.

And tonight, and every other night I spare a thought for our homeless.

God bless 'em & keep them self from harm.

*I do not give to the Roma people*.

captainscarlet

Il give money to buskers no problem, but to some guy just sitting there? Not a chance.

A Roma woman came up to me one day and asked for change of a euro, which she had in her hand, i put two 50c coins in her other, she closed both hands and walked off. The bitch!!!

I heard somewhere that the best thing to do is just give the money to the Simon Community and they'll see that its dstributed properly.

caseyann

Borneo Fnctn wrote: »

I swear if I see another beggar with a baby in their arms I'm calling child services. I really do.

Them ones arent genuine shop them :mad: poor kids

Duff

Kick FTW.

alwaysadub

I can barely afford to feed myself these days never mind anyone else...

Sea Sharp

I give them nothing. In this country there are protocols for getting people off the street and I think giving them money just makes getting proper help less apealing.

I also never give any randomers cigarettes (with the exception of hot lasses in the smoking area:P) because I don't like throwing away money. (Oh the irony :cool:)

BickNarry

Smuggest thread on Boards.......

Can't believe you can't curse or make personal comments yet you can be such an asshole on this forum,makes me wonder.

Yeah jesus,people living on the streets,why would i give them money.....they clearly don't need it.....

Sea Sharp

BickNarry wrote: »

Smuggest thread on Boards.......

Yeah jesus,people living on the streets,why would i give them money.....they clearly don't need it.....

They need help, and donations from random people walking by isn't the best help available to them.

Ronan Keating

BickNarry wrote: »

.....they clearly don't need it.....

They probably do but I wouldn't as much as make eye contact with the crowd. They are part of the pavement to me. Whinging and cribbing for money day after day. Bloody annoying it is.


Give to the charity instead of that crowd.

dearg lady

Frances Agreeable Raccoon wrote: »

'There but for the grace of God go I' and all that.

Just when I was beginning to lose faith in everyone, I saw your post! This bit especially, some people don't realise how bloody lucky they themselves are, and just have no compassion.

mikemac

Never mind what political party in power, the Department of Social Welfare and Family Affairs had a budget estimate of 19.6 billion euro for 2009. Source from their own website

Of course the homeless and others can fall through the cracks.
But most towns in Ireland have an office for the Citizens Information service who are very helpful. They have a helpdesk phone number too.
Hell, call to your local TD and they will help get your entitlements.

I have compassion. But realy the DSFA is supposed to be efficient so I do hope they will get the applicants their entitlements.
I don't give to beggars directly . I give to the government and they will do this for me. It's the State's duty to look after citizens. There should be no need for charities

Bonito

There was once I bought a 14 year old chap a sandwich. I'd never give them money though. Buying the sandwich let me know he was being fed and not spending the money elsewhere stupidly.

ascanbe

captainscarlet wrote: »

Il give money to buskers no problem, but to some guy just sitting there? Not a chance.

A Roma woman came up to me one day and asked for change of a euro, which she had in her hand, i put two 50c coins in her other, she closed both hands and walked off. The bitch!!!

I heard somewhere that the best thing to do is just give the money to the Simon Community and they'll see that its dstributed properly.

I give money to homeless people because i feel they provide a service; they stake out a spot on the street which otherwise could be inhabited by someone loudly wailing a U2 or David Gray song.

snow ghost

I rarely give to beggars or the homeless, other than through charities, simply because I don't believe most of them to be in genuine need of it.

I did give an elderly Irishman some money in London the once, because he wasn't begging - he was actually trying to sell something he had found in a bin; as desperate as that sounds he just wouldn't beg, he still had something about him even in the poor state he was in, and I admired that. On talking to him he had obviously dropped through the net over the years. He was genuine. I also noticed that giving him my time, by talking to him, was of a lot more value to him than the couple of pounds.

And buskers I'd give money to, as unlike the reprehensible scavengers feigning need, they have learned that you need to put logs on the fire before you get some heat.

kerno

Holsten wrote: »

Nothing, because I don't want to.

I really could not give a **** about them.

Here here..!!

Xluna

The odd time I'd give them a fag or fifty cents but I'm way too broke atm. Sure we'll all be dead in 2012 so it's all the one.:p

epgc3fyqirnbsx

Depends on the beggar, it's all subjective

There was a fella (maybe still is) with red dreadlocks and a dog who always used to sit on shop st in galway in the mornings. He never actually begged, just sat there

But people always seemed to give him money, I have often seen people give him soup and a sambo. Probably cos he never wrecked anyones head, just threw the odd genuine smile in a non-creepy way, he was a happy beggar!

Xluna

dearg lady wrote: »

Just when I was beginning to lose faith in everyone, I saw your post! This bit especially, some people don't realise how bloody lucky they themselves are, and just have no compassion.

Yep,we've definitely turned into a nation of judgemental,capatilistic me feiners.

argosy2006

best to wear a mask when u do give them money or they will chase you everyday coz they know u gave before and might again,so every time they see you they will run to you asking,after a while u will wish u gave them nothing, so wear a halloween mask lol

snow ghost

Xluna wrote: »

Yep,we've definitely turned into a nation of judgemental,capatilistic me feiners.

Judging by many of the beggars - yes we have.

OutlawPete

I give homeless people money and food the odd time.

One guy in particular I feel really bad for.

He is always on Moore St and Parnell St and usually has a beard and stands on one spot staring at the ground and laughing. I regularly buy him food.

A few weeks back I was down in Liffey St and what I seen made me so angry I felt like killing someone. I seen him and his face and head was cut to pieces, his nose was clearly broken and he had a black eye and he was crying and talking to himself.

Some bastards had obviously given him a hiding for whatever fcuking reason I don't know. Whoever they were I hope they rot in hell as he is as harmless as a child that guy.

Another person I give money to is Mary of Johnson's lane just off Grafton St (the lane where all the Jewllers are that leads to George's St arcade direction).

I have been given her money when I can for around twenty years, not much now, but just a little every now and then when I'm about the Grafton St. She's like a landmark at this stage.

There's a line in the Hothouse Flowers song Give It Up about her:

It's late in the morning, close to the time
Mary's in the alley she never stops smiling
Always love to see her -- means a lot to me
But I know she has a hard time trying to
Make ends meet

Chorus: Give it up...

Down George Street arcade where the poor children play
Gathering up charity just to help them make their day
Me I was once their age, me I was once young
But I knew I had my family to fall back on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiUUtbALp_0

Bonito

:eek:

I've given Mary money a few times aswel!

*high 5's pete*

Small world, eh?

Ronan Keating

Bonito wrote: »

:eek:

I've given Mary money a few times aswel!

*high 5's pete*

Small world, eh?

She must be loaded then.

Mr Benevolent

Ronan Keating wrote: »

She must be loaded then.

And you can't sing for sh!t.

snow ghost

Outlawpete,

Sorry, to hear your story about the homeles guy beaten upon. scumbags.

What would Mary's situation be if you have been giving her money for 20 years - does she receive benefits? Is she homeless?

OutlawPete

Bonito wrote: »

:eek:

I've given Mary money a few times aswel!

*high 5's pete*

Small world, eh?

Strange thing happened me last month. I seen her really struggling on Grafton St and she was banging her head on the window of Brown Thomas. Guards didn't know what to do and the about of people that came to her aid was incredible.

The guy who sells Hot Press, people from Jewllers that are there years, loads of business people telling the Guards that she just needs to be left alone and so they did and she was fine again.

See young Guards wouldn't know her and even try to move her on and her there before they were even born :rolleyes:

Then the other night I went to see the Last Station in the IFI and as we walked out she was standing just across the from it and smiled at me and I was never as glad to see her as seeing her at Christmas the way she was I thought she was on her last legs.

OutlawPete

snow ghost wrote: »

What would Mary's situation be if you have been giving her money for 20 years - does she receive benefits? Is she homeless?

She has cerebral palsy, like Christy Brown.

Who knows what she receives but she doesn't have much anyway.

OutlawPete

I never give money to anyone at an ATM though and if I feel sorry for a junkie then I'll buy them food, usually ask them what they would like.

I have had many homeless people tell me to go fcuk myself when I have asked them if they wanted me to buy them something to eat :rolleyes:

rgt320q

- What was it he used to say about the needy? He had a term for them.
- A shower of bastards.
- That was it, yes.

gsxr1

I lived on the first house on Lamb Alley . Just off Thomas street. There is track suit clad scum that deal heroin there every hour, every day. I seen them.. Beat the **** out of a garda one day, and every other day , rob or smash a car.
I seen it . it happens. Every day. really.
When you give most of these folk money. They take it straight to this place(or others like it) and give to the scum dealers. There was a girl. skinny,Irish,black around the eyes who begged out side the cash machine on Dame st. She took her profits out side my door. Twice a day. She is no longer there anymore.

god knows if she is still alive. she looked like a 16 year old.


think before you give your money away.

If you are that concerned. Give them some of your lunch.