Street Homeless & Rubbish

[Prudie]

About 4pm I walked down my local high street and noticed the various usual homeless in doorways with their dogs. One particular woman, about 60, sat huddled in coats/blankets and 2 obligatory staffies sitting obediently beside her. About half an hour later I walked back past her spot and she'd gone - however she'd left a carrier bag full of rubbish and 2 empty Costa cups (undoubtedly donated) just lying on the ground. I doubt she was more than 20 yards from a bin. There are many ABers who wave the flag for these people and try to make some of us feel guilty or heartless. I'd like to know how you'd defend this woman leaving her mess for someone else to clear up? It makes me really angry.

[jourdain2]

I don't try to defend her. There is no excuse for leaving such litter behind you. It makes me wonder if she is genuinely homeless.

[dannyk13]

Prudie, it is bad behaviour, but not all homeless are like that.It is the same in all walks of life. there are good and bad.

[bednobs]

maybe just gone for a wee?

[Maydup]

This lady is a beggar and has probably got up and gone home now. She might spend the day in the doorway with her dogs, but she is not necessarily homeless. No excuse for leaving her crap behind.

[hereIam]

I will still defend the homeless when it comes to having to stay outside in all weathers trying vainly to keep warm, especially the youngsters who have left home because of abuse. It doesn't mean I approve of litter and mess, whoever is responsible for it !

[Mamyalynne]

You can feel desperately sad for someone's plight without condoning poor behaviour.

Sad as it is, if the street has become her home you would think she'd want it tidy.

[sherrardk]

Maybe a homeless 60 year lady has ‘better’ things to worry about than cleaning up after herself although I’m not saying it’s ok.

[davebro]

I doubt if all (most?) beggars are homeless. Are there no workhouses?

Ooops - slipped into Scrooge mode there!

[pastafreak]

Was she sober?...had she been using drugs?...is she suffering from mental illness?...had the police moved her on quickly?

Maydup...appearance of levels of cleanliness of clothing, hands...face, *may* tell you whether or not the person is homeless. But then again,they may live in a hostel or attend a drop-in where they have access to clothing and showers.

[nailit]

//There are many ABers who wave the flag for these people and try to make some of us feel guilty or heartless. I'd like to know how you'd defend this woman leaving her mess for someone else to clear up?//

Theres no defending anyone who leaves there filth for someone else to clean up but just who are these ABers that try to make you feel guilty and heartless for the homeless? Ive been on AB for years and have never read a post by anyone that even resembles what you infer.

[Prudie]

I put it on here knowing it would get a reaction - already I haven't apparently considered valid reasons for why she may have not cared about her rubbish - but if you are saying Nailit that in all these years you've never seen posters slated for suggesting these people aren't really homeless, pack up and go home in their Range Rovers to watch their big TVs or spend their money on drugs and alcohol then you can't have been reading the same as me.
Note I am not suggesting that's what these beggars do but have seen many a thread discussing such views and the backlash they have received.

[nailit]

//but if you are saying Nailit that in all these years you've never seen posters slated for suggesting these people aren't really homeless, pack up and go home in their Range Rovers to watch their big TVs or spend their money on drugs and alcohol then you can't have been reading the same as me//

But that isn't what you said. You were talking about the homeless, not the frauds. And if you WERE talking about the frauds, again just who has made you feel guilty or heartless for calling out con artists?

[Bobbisox1]

For Everyone who says they are homeless ,some aren’t but whatever their reasons , leaving rubbish for others to clear up after them is disgusting and I agree with Prudie

[pixie374]

Con artists... and leaving litter are never going to be acceptable. But for genuine homeless people, I could well imagine why they might think that as they have been "left to it" by everyone else, they owe nothing back. Not condoning it, but if I were literally homeless, I'm not sure how much i would worry about everyone else either.

[nailit]

As someone who HAS been homeless and living on the streets and sleeping on carparks, I didn't have that much rubbish to dispose of but I did where I could. *BUT*, I didn't loose much sleep when I may have left an empty chip wrapper on a carpark. Too busy trying to survive!!

The attitude of some on here to rough sleepers beggars belief.

[nailit]

//There are many ABers who wave the flag for these people//
And thank God that some do...

[Prudie]

I said homeless because that is the collective term applied for all those who sit in highstreet doorways day and night isn't it? Neither you nor I know which are cons or not. I've no idea if this woman is or not either.
Can you not see that even on this thread I'm having to try and defend myself for moaning about her leaving her rubbish behind?

[EDDIE51]

The Usual homeless ?? where do you live ? I can't remember seeing any such people for many Years !!!

[Vagus]

I see what you’re getting at Prudie, and agree with you.

[Prudie]

Oh My Nailit - your second para at 18:51 and then the complete contradiction at 19:39
OK you can carry on flag waving amongst your selves. I must be heartless. Let's leave it at that.