so, the last few days ive been working in london.

when i get a chance been doing a little exploring in and around park lane + edgware road and surrounding areas (W1/W2)

(not sure whether its to my misfortune? or not!)
ive been passing by some areas where there are some homeless/tramps/beggars (delete where appropriate) etc

so my question is this, are they really beggars, and really poor? ive not handed over any money to them, but afterwards i think, should i have donated something? (didnt have anything that i thought was worth giving on me at the time, but plenty of shops that are nearby to make a healthy purchase to help)

are they the types that sit out on the street begging with pictures of kids that arent really theirs, then at the end of the day go home and add up their takings, or are they genuine poor people who have no money and no homes etc to go back to?

some of them genuinely look poor, but they seem to be decently clothed and look quite healthy. are they playing a trick here, or what? or are they just getting some good handouts from people who are nice/honest/caring enough to drop a few quid or clothes to them to give them this healthy/well clothed look

felt like a cunt walking past and ignoring, although sneak peeked at some of the pics they are holding etc and started to feel sorry for them.

i would really like to help whoever and however many people that i possibly can (without feeling like my pocket/arse has been damaged) but dont want to help the wrong type of person (i.e. someone who is a deceiving cunt who doesnt really need the help/money/food at all)

my thoughts were to actually buy some food or drink, and offer to some of these people. not wanting to give actual money (not even pennies) as im fearing that ill be doing the wrong thing by doing so.

wanting to offer food or something that is worth more than money to someone who genuinely needs it.

any help or suggestions?

anyone else ever thought or done the same?

whats the best way to go about it?

i dont give to charities as i dont like the idea of cuts being taken out of the donations, would sometimes (when i have the time) like to help out genuine people in need, directly, in cases where possible.

in 2 minds on this myself!

is it a waste of time, or not?

 

i know the first thing thats gonna get people looking, is the title being poor people on park lane?

 

when i lived by marble arch i used to see many of these so called homeless beggars parking up nice cars on the back streets before going begging.

sure there are a lot genuine ones but there are also a lot of career beggars. I dont know how much they make in these tough times but in 1999/2000 when i was living in london it was about Ł75 to Ł100 a day just from begging. thats far more than you can ever get on a shitty low skilled job and far far more than dole. Thats why they do it. Also i suspect many claim the dole too.....

 

hey like yourself im all for helping the less fortunate..but like you id like to know if there genuine.

 

so the idea of no money, but aid in form of food or drink (or something else helpful) is a good idea then?

yeh!

seems hard to tell off a genuine one as some people try so fucking hard to make it their profession and practice makes perfect

 

generally homeless organisations advise against giving money direct to homeless folk as many genuine homeless folk have addiction problems which is what the money will go on. But food and hot drinks etc is fine. genuine ones will take it.

They advise if you want to donate money then do it direct to a charity.

 

Food and drink(non alchoholic of course!!) would seperate the wheat from the chaff!!!

 

Minimum wage Ł5.76/hour - minus NICs and a little tax if full time.

Doesn't too many tourists and students passing by to be quids in!

 

Walked up Park Lane on Saturday,saw no beggers,but passed a few 2nd hand car dealers with Lambo's,Ferraris,Bentleys in the window,plus Aston Martin, BMW and Mini have nice dealerships there too.

 

this is england, not brazil. it's a welfare state. if they can't help themselves by getting the proper welfare, i have nothing for them.

 

When I used to work the late shift till 1 in the morning there was an ex squaddie who used to sleep by the back doors of the solicitors where i work. I used to bring in two packed lunches and take him hot drinks whenever I popped out for a fag. Real nice fella but could not cut normal life he did not beg or ask for anything but company. This was fetter lane area.

There are a lot of fake beggers wearing better/designer cloths than me.

 

Welcome to London. It's everywhere... IMO you just get immune to it after a while.

I generally don't give anythign to beggars on the street simply because they're either raking it in or just want the money to get pissed/high.
If I'm spending money on getting anyone pissed/high it'll be me, thank you very much!

 

Thats why I wont work in the west end!

 

What are you, a rent boy or summat?

 

which side of the line are you on? sounds like you wont work there cos people dont pay people who are begging so its poor pickings

 

I work in London and sometimes see them, you just get immune to it as said. I wouldn't give them shit ordinarily but saw a couple of tramps one night when I was out on the beers. They were asking for spare change so I wondered into the closest offie and bought them 4 cans of special brew each........

THATS some good charity right there

 

+1

A mate of mine once handed a tramp Ł20 when he was drunk. The tramp thought he was taking the piss and lamped him!

 

thought you might be gratefull for the extra money

 

That's gratitude for you