Beggars

[xelasnave]

How do you feel about beggars.

I have this aboriginal guy come up to me each time I go to Casino looking for a hand out.

I always give him a few coins and have a chat try to encourage him.

I know a lot of folk think begging is poor form so I am interested to hear others views.

I was in town the other day and gave him some change an the poor devil reached in his bag and offered me some strawberries..I told him to look after himself and that I appreciated his offer.

Today he spotted me and took my shopping trolley back for me.

I think his enterprise should be rewarded.

Alex

[LewisM]

I find those charities strategically set-up outside shops to be far more annoying than an individual. In fact, I have told many of these charities I refuse to give to them due to their insipid intimidation tactics, especially those touters who call out to you or come up to you. LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE, and let people decide if they wish to donate to charity. There was a veteran's league setup right outside IGA the other day - called out to me and all the usual malarkey. I just told them NO - I donate online, anonymously (true) and do not like to be shamed into donating.

Honest charities should stop these types of tactics.

Beggars - depends. I make a choice based on circumstances, situation, location etc. Opening a wallet in some places is an immediate danger to yourself.

[LewisM]

The in-traffic windshield washing guys - endemic in Canberra - are frustrating, as who the heck carries coins these days. I do now, and give them 20c NOT to wash my windshield with their filthy bucket water. I have noted they simply ignore Asian lady drivers, and do it, then wait outside their window with hand out... guess they know soft targets.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

How do you feel about beggars.

I have this aboriginal guy come up to me each time I go to Casino looking for a hand out.

I always give him a few coins and have a chat try to encourage him.

I know a lot of folk think begging is poor form so I am interested to hear others views.

I was in town the other day and gave him some change an the poor devil reached in his bag and offered me some strawberries..I told him to look after himself and that I appreciated his offer.

Today he spotted me and took my shopping trolley back for me.

I think his enterprise should be rewarded.

Alex

Begging isn't poor form but it is hard to pick the truly in need. I was a bit gob smacked when a beggar ask me to buy them some food because they were hungry, it was different to the usual request for money. I was happy to oblige. Some beggars here in Melbourne can be quite aggressive.

[xelasnave]

Many years ago I replied to add which was some sort of charity collection..my share of what I bought in was 30% so imagin what my employer took..well not my employer I declined to be part to what I saw as a scam...the charitable beneficiaries I doubt would have seen 30% at best buy more likely zip.

One of the churches in the USA who collect 10% from the flock were proud of the fact they spent 4 billion or million? on the poor etc but when I did the numbers based on a minimum income etc for their numbers and 10% thereof it seemed their income would be 40 billion or million...so say I was out by 100% they are clearly not really that charitable or else every inefficient.
Got to go..clearing fuel..you don't notice how much builds up until you image a fire going thru.
Alex

[casstony]

In order to reduce begging I think we should increase the Newstart Allowance, reduce the onerous commitments needed to receive Newstart and improve mental health support for those who slip through the cracks.

The exit from Centrelink should funnel people straight through a mental health clinic since if you weren't disturbed before entering you will be by the time you leave.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Years ago in London I had two burgers coming out of a Wimpy at the time in Kings Cross. That old bloke sitting in the gutter asked me for money so I gave him one of the burgers still in the wrap. He swore at me that he wanted "fn'" money. So I ate two burgers that night.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by casstony

....
The exit from Centrelink should funnel people straight through a mental health clinic since if you weren't disturbed before entering you will be by the time you leave.

I spent 6 years in what was called Social Security - quite an education. We had 2-3 social workers to, supposedly, look after the clients with extra difficulties. The average incumbent was a recent Uni graduate who genuinely wanted to help. In practice all they could do was write referrals to Smith Family, Anglicare, St Vincent de Paul etc. If the client had used up all their referrals then they just had to say 'tough'. And they rarely saw morning tea or lunch because of the length of the queue outside their door. Prick of a job. The rosy faces lasted about 1-2 months, by 6 months cynicism was running rampant and at about 12 months they quit - - - and were replaced by another naive graduate.

[sil (Steve)]

In high school I tended to ignore the beggars. Never really judged them though. Living in Sydney later on it got frustrating at times to be seemingly bombarded by them. I was in a bad enough place at the time and felt bad for not being capable of giving, i just didnt have spare money, my first employer too full advantage of me as a desperate unemplyed.

I ended up working for friends and living with them too and we had what seemed a good arrangement at the time until my mate who looked after the business finances upped and left the day debt collectors showed. He'd so badly handled the money getting more and more credit cards to try to pay off debts etc. That day I was jobless (with no pay) and homeless (job was a home office and he hadnt been paying rent). So I fully appreciate how its possible to end up living on the streets through no fault of your own. Its rarely because someone is a junkie or drunk or hooker that they end up there but that is often the only lifestyle choices open to them since so many people wont show any kindness. I get the same myself with the overwhelming lack of donations to my gofundme for treatment. I need the treatment and help from strangers is the only possibility, no options left available to me but I would accept a loaded pistol.

Its damn hard to ask for help and assuming beggars are liers and junkies etc won't help. What the hell matter does a few dollars make to you anyway if its in your pocket. People in practice are plain greedy and dont realise a little kindness can really go a long way. Your world isn't going to come crushing down if you dont buy that new phone this week and hold off until next pay and do something that can help another human being. Of course everyone has excuses why they will do Anything Except if money is involved. I hope the world burns soon, homo sapiens needs to be eradicated.

[AndyG (Andy)]

Very interesting thread to start Alex. Obviously, your intentions are genuine, but I put forth that if too many people answer honestly, the thread will be locked before dinner time.

I believe that one's perspective on beggars, and "proto-beggers" really depends on the region/location of the poster. I hear about things that happen south of Brisbane, that I honestly have never seen. Perhaps we in Nth QLD, can open your eyes with a few tales...

At the expense of sounding defeatist, I suspect certain demographics will be mentioned (anything really), and others, who don't see the extent of the described issue will defend said demographic. One thing leads to another, which leads to a padlock icon...

To answer the question:
Q - "What do you think of beggars"?
A - Not much.
Q - "What do I think of beggars who offer to bash my face in because I don't have $5?
A - Even less.

[Nikolas (Nik)]

In Melbourne there are a few scammers who pretend to be beggars. As part of my teaching load we take students into the city to talk to the homeless at the Salvos and The Big Issue. They all say the same thing, don't give money to beggars.

Huge scam here where Chinese scammers were sending professional beggars to Melbourne who strategically placed themselves around the CBD and then wore raggedy clothes over their normal clothing. Cops observed them for a few months gathering evidence before they busted them and deported them.

We have "beggars" sitting outside the Camberwell shops, very healthy looking young beggars sucking on a cigarette while perusing their iphones, yeah right.....

I only contribute to artisans who actually do something, buskers and big issue sellers, that's it!

[multiweb (Marc)]

Talking about organised beggars. A good mate of mine lives in Goa in north western India. He told me up there they have organised mobs of crims kidnapping and even maiming toddlers then employ young girls holding "their babies" asking for money because they need medical help. That is next level and so wrong. I couldn't believe people would be capable of doing stuff like that.

[croweater (Richard)]

I usually give a couple of dollars if I have it on me. I'm not going to miss it really. I also ask their name and try to chat just for a minute. They generally seem to appreciate someone taking the time to recognise their existance instead of being a faceless nobody and they tend to perk up a bit. That probably is more helpful than the money.
Cheers, Richard

[casstony]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

I spent 6 years in what was called Social Security - quite an education. Prick of a job. The rosy faces lasted about 1-2 months, by 6 months cynicism was running rampant and at about 12 months they quit - - - and were replaced by another naive graduate.

I have no doubt David; it's all just another hurdle to deter people from accessing welfare. Now ScoMo has the bright idea to demean and demonize people even further by singling them out for drug testing.

Maybe we should make all politicians take on a 'dole bludger' as a personal assistant to ensure they stay connected with ordinary people.

[LewisM]

Originally Posted by casstony

I have no doubt David; it's all just another hurdle to deter people from accessing welfare. Now ScoMo has the bright idea to demean and demonize people even further by singling them out for drug testing.

Maybe we should make all politicians take on a 'dole bludger' as a personal assistant to ensure they stay connected with ordinary people.

And remind every damned politician that they are the quintessential dole bludger, as every single one of them is paid by we the people... (except those additionally on the corporate brown-paper bag bribe train too)

[xelasnave]

I would like to know what the real unemployment rate actually is...they shuffle folk off to retraining etc and put you on total invalid pension at the drop of a hat and if you have a miserable casual job you do not make the list.
Heck when I left school everyone got a job and there was a choice...it seems these days young folk are very fortunate to get work. Before my real job..the holiday work I built ladders and even washed bottles at a soft drink factory..that was during the week as on Saturday I was a copy boy...plenty of work. And yet it seems now we import many workers which we are told is because our folk don't have the skill.

One could think that that perhaps someone in parliament should make a name for themselves and come up with a solution.

Isn't that a novel idea.

Now I am just a mug but it seems that if we had our folk get some training then maybe the locals could get jobs.

But I think the problem with governments and I include kings and dictators is that the more folk in your domain the more power you think you have and no doubt more people translates to more money sloshing around and that has to be good for somebody or someone but perhaps not for those that don't get trained.

But then the other problem is it is a market economy that must..absolutely must have unemployment to manage inflation ....sure there are other ways to do it but a healthy unemployment figure keeps those in work on their toes and reticent to ask for more money..so everyone wins..those folk who don't win only have themselves to blame.

It's all about productivity...which is flash talk for work longer and harder for less money and fewer perks..like our polies do.

And you know what I love to hear..is these old girls who run down folk for not having a job without ever realising that they have never worked for a boss in their lives..but their husband has god love him and certainly that gives them the right to be so judgemental. We had it tuff therefore everyone must suffer..that sounds so reasonable. Heck my legs have gone so everyone should get crook legs...

And I love this work for the dole as we can't have these layabouts getting money for nothing..heck look what the parliamentarians have to do to get their salary and pension and free flights and free meals...yes don't give these folk who will not work or can't find a job..same difference..don't give them a hand out ..teach them not to be poor..it is after all for their own good...and when the plate goes around at church know that those layabouts won't get a cent.
Alex

[Ukastronomer (Jeremy)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

How do you feel about beggars.

I have this aboriginal guy come up to me each time I go to Casino looking for a hand out.

I always give him a few coins and have a chat try to encourage him.

I know a lot of folk think begging is poor form so I am interested to hear others views.

I was in town the other day and gave him some change an the poor devil reached in his bag and offered me some strawberries..I told him to look after himself and that I appreciated his offer.

Today he spotted me and took my shopping trolley back for me.



I think his enterprise should be rewarded.

Alex

I will NOT give

Why.

Well here even the police say don't give, there is a con in the UK where Romanians, Polish, etc make thousands begging and live in good houses, also you are advised IF you want to help buy them food.

But.

We have the BIG Issue here, and homeless people apply to sell it as a living, I DO support that and aways give to them £3 and never take a magazine, they are certified and carry ID

I was homeless once, long story so I am speaking from experience

As for Aboriginals, another story where my comments about how they have been mistreated and abused would offend so I won't post.



...........

[xelasnave]

Make thousands begging I had no idea...when do I start.

Alex

[dikman (Richard)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

And remind every damned politician that they are the quintessential dole bludger, as every single one of them is paid by we the people... (except those additionally on the corporate brown-paper bag bribe train too)

I couldn't agree more!

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

There are 100's in central Perth and many are straight up nut cases sorry to say and downright scary to the old , young and families and should be in care , not begging and living on the streets .

There are quite a few Vet's and I always give them $5 or so as it's criminal how the government treats these hero's that were prepared to die for our freedom ,, sickning ! treatment .

Brian.