beggars/big issue sellers/market research etc

[hotpink]

how do you react to someone coming up to you in the street begging for money, or asking you if you've got a couple of minutes for a survey. do you mind, do you stop everythime? or do you ignore them, or tell them to p*ss off?

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, depending what mood i am in and what they are asking for.
If they are asking for cancer research or summat, then i would gladly donate.
If they are asking for funding third world countries or protesting the war, i would not donate, but i would just have a discussion/argument on it.
If it was a prostitute asking me for something, then obviously it would depend how nice she was...

[grumpii]

I love chocolate dot, it doesnt go well with beer though, they have started doing photo key rings now aswell. I think if you are gonna sell in pubs n clubs novelty condoms is the way forward, I would steer clear of fancy restraunts though.

[andy-hughes]

I will always give money to a beggar - more to a woman or youg girl than to a man, as i think they are more vulnerable.

I always give a couple of pounds to a BI sellar, but ask him or her to re-sell my copy rather than taking it.

I don't respond to surveys in the street - I just don't like offering my opinions to total strangers, but i am never abusiive, I just say 'No thanks ...' and carry on walking. If someone steps in front of me to stop me, I will glare at them until they move out of the way, then walk on, but that is rare, I think they are instructed not to obstruct people.

[Skreecheeboy]

I avoid chuggers and market researchers unless they are offering freebies. I give what I can to beggars whether that's advice, a roll up, an apple or a pie I might happen to have in my pocket, sometimes I give them cash if I can afford it or if I know the person. I have been homeless before and I have had to beg in the past too so I know how they feel. Even if it's just a chat it brightens up their day and I have also been given a pound by a guy I knew when I was homeless as I found myself stuck for a packet of tobacco and he chipped in for me with his earnings! Similarly I buy Big Issues off them if I know them, otherwise I just tell them I can't afford it as 9 times out of 10 I can't! I never ignore them though, there's nothing more soul destroying than people blanking you, even if you are apologising and telling them you're skint when you have �20 in your pocket or you're late for work when you are on holiday, it's better than being rude or ignoring them.

[leedsgurl]

I was approaced while I was waiting for a bus, by a woman asking for 10p, (which i genuinely didnt have, as I only had enough for my bus fair), she was really nice... until I told her I didnt have any change, then she promptly turned very nasty and said "I hope you die on your way home"!!! as she was walking away.

[mrknowall]

Same as Andy-Hughes..
Thanks for writing Andy saved me some time..

[joko]

I am always polite, look at them and tell them I haven't time or I haven't any change or whatever.

If they appear to be scabby smackheads or are agressive, they get a stern look and a no.

I remember buying a sarnie once and didn't like it, too dry, so i gave the other half to a guy sitting on a blanket.
i came back the same way a few hours later to see the sarnie thrown about 6ft away from him.
unless he had a dairy intolerance there was no need for him to bin a cheese and tomato sarnie.

i also gave an upset pregnant girl �1 to get a train home, and she she curled her lip angrily and said the fare was �2, expecting me to give her that too!!
I then realised she was clearly a druggie and probably wearing a fake belly.
I asked why she had come all this way without the money to get home and surely she bought a return ticket... she just sneered and stormed off.
On my way back she asked me again!!
I just laughed in her face.
i have seen her many times in the same place since.