I Had A Weird Encounter On Eglinton Street Today

Straight Talker

Today at about after 12 30 pm heading towards lunch time i was making my way along Eglinton Street.I was checking my wallet when i noticed some man who was walking passed me just suddenly turned back.I wen't into the newsbox store and when i came out i noticed that this very same man was waiting outside.I then walked on and just as i was about to go into the pound shop which is nearby this man tapped me on the shoulder and muttered could i give him some money.I just walked into the shop and he walked on.I could barely understand what he was saying.He looked like he was a drug addict which surprised me because you wouldn't really expect to come across this kind of thing in Galway.Now nothing serious happened but i did feel that this individual was loitering around with intent on doing something much more sinister if he had the chance.

happyoutscan

Nothing to worry about I'd say.

xflyer

I'm surprised, you're surprised. That kind of thing does happen in Galway as it does in any city. There aren't many junkies but plenty of alcoholics. You're lucky he was asking for money not snatching your wallet.

Never ever catch the eye of characters like that. It's like an invitation to come over to you.

filmbuffboy

personally, i wouldnt ever check my wallet on a public street. do it in as private a place as possible and as discreetly as possible.

Straight Talker

filmbuffboy wrote: »

personally, i wouldnt ever check my wallet on a public street. do it in as private a place as possible and as discreetly as possible.

That's was actually the first time i ever did that.I was going into the Newsbox shop to buy some 3v credit i was just getting my 3v card out and seeing that seeing that i was just seconds from the shop i got complacent.While Galway has it's share of whino's that's the first time i ever encountered a junkie type person in Galway.I guess it's just the way things are going.

volvick

something like that happened me in Dublin, I was up for the weekend waiting for the Gobus and I was standing on my own, dublin city but alone, if anyone got the bus you know where I am on about. This man walked up to me and asked me for money, I said I didn't have any and was happy to hand over my bag if he insisted but I admit I was scared. He walked off but I felt better when more came to stand at the stop. You just don;t know what a person would do to get money! The person who asked me wasn't asking for food - thats for sure!

filmbuffboy

sad thing is we will prob see a lot more of this and other 'petty' crimes in the coming years due to the impoverishment of the irish people by the state and private banks!

Wompa1

Guess it depends what you define as a drug addict...I've come across plenty of drug addicts in Galway!

inisboffin

There are *way* more junkies in Galway (and Dublin) than I ever remember. If they are 'sick' and in need of heroin, they will of course be more blatent and insistent in their hussling. I'd see it as less of a crime and more like agressive begging. But watch your stuff. GBFM reported a few bag snatches/attacks this weekend, and as summer goes on it will only increase. That gobus stop in Dublin is a bit far down alright. I've never had a problem but I usually never go down more than 10 mins early. Have a cuppa in The Dark Horse

LadyMayBelle

Straight Talker wrote: »

... this man tapped me on the shoulder and muttered could i give him some money.I just walked into the shop and he walked on.I could barely understand what he was saying.He looked like he was a drug addict which surprised me because you wouldn't really expect to come across this kind of thing in Galway...

Ya coulda said 'no, sorry I've no change' or whatever, would be nice to even knowledge him.

Surprised that you came across someone you thought was a drug addict in Galway? Where have you been living? People battle with drug problems everywhere..

Apologies if I sound ranty but the chap might have wanted a few pence from you for whatever he chooses to spend it on, just as much as he wanted to 'do something more sinister'.

Straight Talker

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

Ya coulda said 'no, sorry I've no change' or whatever, would be nice to even knowledge him.

Surprised that you came across someone you thought was a drug addict in Galway? Where have you been living? People battle with drug problems everywhere..

Apologies if I sound ranty but the chap might have wanted a few pence from you for whatever he chooses to spend it on, just as much as he wanted to 'do something more sinister'.

Yeah i should have just have handed the nice man my wallet instead.:rolleyes:

LadyMayBelle

well if that's your choice at the end of the day, as it is his to nick it or to ask for spare change for whatever. Just saying. I try not to ignore people who ask me for money; not that I give money out like there's no tomorrow. To acknowledge someone's presence as opposed to ignoring them is something.

CrackisWhack

Its funny you should mention that, I was walking down the same street yesterday, and some man in a flat cap gave me a funny look

Mrs OBumble

Asking happens all the time - and a lot in that street for some reason.

Loitering isn't so common, but does happen.

While I sympathise with LadyP's point about acknowledging them as human and do it sometimes, at other times my safety-sense says that a fairly stern "no" and keep on walking quickly is the best course. You just need to use your judgement every time, and always be aware of who's around you in the street.

Sometimes I even pretend not understand (esp with the woman who starts "do you speak English? I need E2 to get the GoBus back to Dublin), but this can be risky if they then think you won't report issues to the garda.

inisboffin

JustMary wrote: »

Asking happens all the time - and a lot in that street for some reason.

Loitering isn't so common, but does happen.

While I sympathise with LadyP's point about acknowledging them as human and do it sometimes, at other times my safety-sense says that a fairly stern "no" and keep on walking quickly is the best course. You just need to use your judgement every time, and always be aware of who's around you in the street..

Yeah. Trust your judgement. I often have a stern no myself, but even that in itself is a simple acknowlegement, for whatever reason they're asking.

LadyMayBelle

JustMary wrote: »

While I sympathise with LadyP's point about acknowledging them as human and do it sometimes, at other times my safety-sense says that a fairly stern "no" and keep on walking quickly is the best course. You just need to use your judgement every time, and always be aware of who's around you in the street.

I'm all for the stern 'No' as well, clearly, I just cannot ignore someone if they have physically tapped my shoulder or clearly directed their plea at me, however annoying it is!

JohnCleary

JustMary wrote: »

Sometimes I even pretend not understand (esp with the woman who starts "do you speak English? I need E2 to get the GoBus back to Dublin), but this can be risky if they then think you won't report issues to the garda.

I had that scobie woman ask me for €2 to get the bus back to Cararroe - She went a little blank when I asked her where in Cararroe she lived. I kept walking

Lensbaby89

This sounds like the same chap who beckoned to me outside Easons a couple of weeks ago. I had just walked out and was heading down shop street and this guy who was sitting on the windowsill outside started calling quietly "Sorry, excuse me, sorry there". I thought he was looking for the time or something by his demeanour so I walked back over to him and he asked me for any spare change.
I was so shocked at being singled out and approached in this manner I just said no and walked away, tbh I got a bit of a fright!
I'm the person who goes and buys people on the street coffee on cold nights but I didn't appreciate how I was approached.
The strange thing is I'm almost certain it was the same rough looking guy who I happened to sit beside in the smoking area outside Club Aras na Gael a few weeks back and hassled me then too...not for change though.

Mrs OBumble

JohnCleary wrote: »

I had that scobie woman ask me for €2 to get the bus back to Cararroe - She went a little blank when I asked her where in Cararroe she lived. I kept walking

She's moved, so

She's now used the line on me at least five times: I'm pretty hard-arsed with street beggars, but I actually fell for it the first time. Her appearance makes me think that her health has gone downhill since then, though and there's no way anyone should fall for it now.

Dan_Solo

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

well if that's your choice at the end of the day, as it is his to nick it or to ask for spare change for whatever. Just saying. I try not to ignore people who ask me for money; not that I give money out like there's no tomorrow. To acknowledge someone's presence as opposed to ignoring them is something.

Yes, you shouldn't ignore them.
Report them to the police instead.

softmee

Lensbaby89 wrote: »

"Sorry, excuse me, sorry there".

I was so shocked at being singled out and approached in this manner .

In what manner? Didnt he say "excuse me, sorry". Cmon! This is crazy, let beggars be beggars. Whatever happened in their lives or whatever they did to themselfs to live like that this is no crime to ask for help yet. We dont know circumstances and its not our thing to judge. You can always say you dont have any money with you and walk away, but to be shocked about it!?? :rolleyes:

Dan_Solo

softmee wrote: »

In what manner? Didnt he say "excuse me, sorry". Cmon! This is crazy, let beggars be beggars. Whatever happened in their lives or whatever they did to themselfs to live like that this is no crime to ask for help yet.

Thankfully it is.
If you want to ask for help, see your social services that I pay for.
Don't bother me in the street about it.

inisboffin

Isn't that law more intended for threatening or agressive behaviour, or say people who block an ATM. Maybe it's subjective, but I don't think a cop would do more than move someone on if they prefaced a beg with an 'excuse me'.

Some of those 'charity' collecters are WAY worse IMO

softmee

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Thankfully it is.
If you want to ask for help, see your social services that I pay for.
Don't bother me in the street about it.

I pay for your social services too, but it doesnt mean i dont understand people in need. Its not only black and white -you know!
I dont mean i like it, it is annoying sometimes- ok and i dont usually give them any money, but saying its shocking is just childish.

Lensbaby89

softmee wrote: »

I dont mean i like it, it is annoying sometimes- ok and i dont usually give them any money, but saying its shocking is just childish.

Childish? Not quite sure what that's supposed to mean.

So you don't give them money, you find them annoying and you don't like that they ask you for money... so why are you down on people who object to being harassed? And I would use the term harassed to refer to any person not known to me who approaches me on the street for any reason when I'm quietly going about my own business.

Let me point out that while we don't know what these people have been through to end up on the streets, you also don't know what people who refer to their approaches as "shocking" have been through either and perhaps you are the one who should exhibit a little less judgement in future.

kosmo

Lensbaby89 wrote: »

Let me point out that while we don't know what these people have been through to end up on the streets, you also don't know what people who refer to their approaches as "shocking" have been through either and perhaps you are the one who should exhibit a little less judgement in future.

I totally agree.

softmee

Lensbaby89 wrote: »

And I would use the term harassed to refer to any person not known to me who approaches me on the street for any reason when I'm quietly going about my own business

-and this is just sad...

GuessWho2009

I really feel sorry for the homeless on our streets. usually same people that are there and ya see them on the wet nights in door ways. there is a guy that always asks for 60 or 70 cent. why he asks for that figure i dunno but usually throw him a fiver. fiver isnt going to make or break me and he def needs it more then me. id rather give to then then all the bogus charitys around the city

Lensbaby89

softmee wrote: »

-and this is just sad...

Thank you for illustrating my point so eloquently...


This thread is for discussing the OP's personal experience to which I responded with my own personal experience. If you're looking for an argument please go and be a troll elsewhere and leave this for people who are willing to discuss the OP's issue.

schween

Somebody got asked for spare change and decides to go make a thread on Boards about it

snubbleste

schween wrote: »

Somebody got asked for spare change and decides to go make a thread on Boards about it

No no, it was a 'weird encounter'

Amazotheamazing

schween wrote: »

Somebody got asked for spare change and decides to go make a thread on Boards about it

I swear the race is growing softer by the year, to think Galwegians were the first to brave the Atlantic ocean and to be reduced to this.

Mrs OBumble

GuessWho2009 wrote: »

I really feel sorry for the homeless on our streets. usually same people that are there and ya see them on the wet nights in door ways. there is a guy that always asks for 60 or 70 cent. why he asks for that figure i dunno but usually throw him a fiver. fiver isnt going to make or break me and he def needs it more then me.

Some of the lads you see on the street at night are there because they're too drunk etc to get into the Fairgreen that night.

By giving them a fiver, you're really just giving them the means to get too drunk to get in tomorrow night as well. If you must do something, buy them food or coffee, don't give cash, ever, or you're just being part of the problem.

Dan_Solo

softmee wrote: »

I pay for your social services too, but it doesnt mean i dont understand people in need. Its not only black and white -you know!
I dont mean i like it, it is annoying sometimes- ok and i dont usually give them any money, but saying its shocking is just childish.

Who said it was shocking?
It's annoying, which is a good enough reason to have it banned IMO.

inisboffin

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Who said it was shocking?

I believe they're referring to Lensbaby's quote further back:

"I was so shocked at being singled out and approached in this manner I just said no and walked away, tbh I got a bit of a fright!"

lezza

next time some one approaches you in the street slap them in the teeth, it ends all confusion and extinguishes any fear;)

Damie

I don't like handing out cash to the 'boyos' but I remember a couple of years ago, early one saturday morning, nice and sunny out, I was in town doing a bit of early shopping when one of the older 'boyos' asked me for a couple of euro, I could tell he was a bit drunk already, not too bad but his breath was edgy:D he looked like an older version of Paudi O Shea, cap on head and jacket on...

Boyo: ".....giv is a couple of euro will ya"

Me: ".....what for?"

Boyo: ".....I'd luv a cuppa coffee...eh(belch)"

Me: "....cup of coffee, look, come over to the cafe over there and I'll get you a coffee and sambo"

Boyo: "...sure just giv us the cash"

Me: "...no, come over here and I'll get it for you, no hassle"

Boyo: "...(with squinty eye)...ara feck off with yerself so!!...(cue two finger sign language)


From then, whenever it happens, I go thru this routine, very few have accepted the coffee and sambo tho!:pac:

LadyMayBelle

In my experince, a good few have taken up the coffee and a sambo offer; gratefully, depends who you offer it to tho; some are genuinely out for cash and cash only and others are 'watched'...you learn.

KevR

JustMary wrote: »

Some of the lads you see on the street at night are there because they're too drunk etc to get into the Fairgreen that night.

By giving them a fiver, you're really just giving them the means to get too drunk to get in tomorrow night as well. If you must do something, buy them food or coffee, don't give cash, ever, or you're just being part of the problem.

Agree.

When I was in Birmingham a few years ago, a guy came up to me and my friend asking for money for "food". He told us a big sob story about how he hadn't eaten in over 24hrs and he just wanted money for "food". My friend had an unopened bottle of water and a banana in his bag - he offered these to the guy begging. The beggar said no, he only wanted money! If you were really starving then you would not turn down perfectly good food. He more than likely wanted money for drink or drugs.

Mr Cork Man

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

Ya coulda said 'no, sorry I've no change' or whatever, would be nice to even knowledge him.

Surprised that you came across someone you thought was a drug addict in Galway? Where have you been living? People battle with drug problems everywhere..

Apologies if I sound ranty but the chap might have wanted a few pence from you for whatever he chooses to spend it on, just as much as he wanted to 'do something more sinister'.

Liberal do gooder alert.I suppose the man should have emptied out the contents of his wallet and hand it to the junkie there and then.:pac:

Dan_Solo

KevR wrote: »

Agree.

When I was in Birmingham a few years ago, a guy came up to me and my friend asking for money for "food". He told us a big sob story about how he hadn't eaten in over 24hrs and he just wanted money for "food". My friend had an unopened bottle of water and a banana in his bag - he offered these to the guy begging. The beggar said no, he only wanted money! If you were really starving then you would not turn down perfectly good food. He more than likely wanted money for drink or drugs.

Had this before from a door-to-door beggar. (She was African with kids in tow, but that's not to say I haven't had Irish travellers at my door too).
Beggar: "I have no money to feed my children."
Me: "I'll give you some food."
Beggar: "No, I want money."
Me: "Go **** yourself."

schween

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Had this before from a door-to-door beggar. (She was African with kids in tow, but that's not to say I haven't had Irish travellers at my door too).
Beggar: "I have no money to feed my children."
Me: "I'll give you some food."
Beggar: "No, I want money."
Me: "Go **** yourself."

Bit of a harsh reply no? A simple no would suffice, especially with kids about.

cheesemaker

Where theres coke, theres crack..

There was one day about two weeks ago on a Sunday that I was sitting inside the bus station making a phone call on my mobile. It was early enough, at about 6 I think. In walk these two unbelievably drunk "<snip>" and one of them comes over to me, asks me if I'm on the phone and then proceeds to ask me for some money. I then tell the person I'm on the phone to that I'll call them back and hang up before telling him that I'm sorry, but I don't have any money, which was partially true - I had no money I'd be willing to give him. He then asks me if I'd have no money if he punched me. Thankfully the security guard walks over and tells them to leave, but not before the two of them square up to the owner of the café in there, resulting in the security guard kicking them out completely.

So, unfortunately sometimes being polite to them won't work either.

inisboffin

Deleted User wrote: »

So, unfortunately sometimes being polite to them won't work either.

That's a sh*tty thing to happen to you, but the thing is - people are not a 'them'. Just because one a**hole responded that way, doesn't mean every beggar/drug addict/wino would. Same with the sandwich thing.
Plenty *would* take it. Just as plenty know if they said "I need money to shoot heroin in my arm so I don't get pains", that their odds of getting the money would go way down.

softmee

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Had this before from a door-to-door beggar. (She was African with kids in tow, but that's not to say I haven't had Irish travellers at my door too).
Beggar: "I have no money to feed my children."
Me: "I'll give you some food."
Beggar: "No, I want money."
Me: "Go **** yourself."

So, you think if he didnt want food he wanted money for alkohol? What if he didnt have enough money to dress his kids or buy them books for school? Is food everythink what he could ask for? If he wasnt hungry he should just eat anyway what you have offered just to please you, yes?

Dan_Solo

softmee wrote: »

So, you think if he didnt want food he wanted money for alkohol? What if he didnt have enough money to dress his kids or buy them books for school? Is food everythink what he could ask for? If he wasnt hungry he should just eat anyway what you have offered just to please you, yes?

I couldn't give two hoots what they wanted the money for. If you want to ring my doorbell just to lie to me you can get knotted.
Ever heard of "beggars can't be choosers?". If he didn't like the fruit and veg being offered what should I do? Phone him a pizza?
"just to please me" he shouldn't lie to my face when it's HIM that wants something.