As I Was Waiting...

[Jackdaw33]

...for a taxi returning home from shopping this evening I was approached by a man who seemed to be in his late 30s who said he was homeless and could I spare any change. As the only change I had was my taxi fare I demurred. He then thanked me anyway very politely and wished me a good evening. As he left I suddenly realised I had a spare tenner in my pocket which I could easily have afforded to give him. I now feel very guilty. Should I?

[tonyav]

Some aren't really homeless, Jackdaw.

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/02/29/wolverhampton-city-centre-beggars-making-500-a-day/

[agchristie]

No Jack, you were a victim of circumstances.

[Jackdaw33]

I know, ag, but the thought that a guy might freeze to death on the street because of my refusal to help haunts me.

[mazie]

I would, but I'm a sucker for helping people. I dread to think how I would be if I won the lottery. Which, by the way I never will, because if I get 1 number that's quiet a miracle

[Maydup]

I shouldn't Jack. I don't give and i don't feel guilty.

[agchristie]

Don't feel so guilty jack.

[mazie]

And.... It's so cold out there tonight. I can't imagine having to deal with living on the streets. Why should anyone have to?

[237SJ]

Should I? Probably not.

[THEMOTLEY1]

A tenner eh? that would've bought a couple of 4-packs of Tennents Super, that would've kept the cold out, or he just wouldn't notice it.

[Jackdaw33]

This happened half a mile from me, which is why I am concerned.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/homeless-man-believed-burned-death-8153159

[Mamyalynne]

It's commendable you feel the way you do but try not to feel too guilty.

[TonyV]

Don't feel guilty at all Jackdaw lots of beggars are treating it as a "job" and I,ve either read or heard that some return home with between £200 & 500 a day

[anneasquith]

I understand how you feel Jack. But don't fret about it.

[Peter Pedant]

No

and anyway a tenner is far too much

pray for him =that will make you feel much better and it is after all cheaper

[Maydup]

How about donating your £10 to Crisis?

http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/contact-crisis-skylight-newcastle.html

[EDDIE51]

A while back I was in Cambridge just about to go into a cafe for a cup of coffee. As I got to the door a well dressed politely spoken young woman,stopped me and said she had her purse stolen and needed the money to get home and asked if I could spare a £. I gave her £5 and she thanked me very nicely. While I was in the cafe she was still outside, I saw her approach at least 10 people all of whom gave her money. I mentioned her to the staff of the cafe and one girl told me she was well known for doing it and they thought she made at least £100 a day! They got tired of reporting her to the police as they just tell her to move on and she is back within hours.

[Jackdaw33]

The trouble is, how do you separate the genuine needy from the impostors?

[Old_Geezer]

Regrets are pointless.

[TonyV]

This must the article I heard about
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2016/02/29/wolverhampton-city-centre-beggars-making-500-a-day/