To expect Big Issue sellers to actually need our charity?

There are pushy an intimidating people in all walks of life , why expect differently in people who are in need ,

There are also considerate and polite people in all walks of life. Why expect differently in people who are in need?

I don't expect those in need to be any different to those who are not Merlotgran , be they pushy or polite, they are human beings

I don't begrudge anyone who smokes, big issue seller or banker.
There are unscrupulous big issue sellers and there are genuine ones.The more dodgy ones in Oxford and surrounding areas I avoid.Sometimes you just have a gut feeling about people you meet.

I know somebody will say 'but bankers can afford to smoke' but it would be very poor spirited to deny someone who stands outside all day flogging magazines the chance of a cigarette, wouldn't it?I don't smoke, BTW but as it's addictive, the seller was probably hooked before he was reduced to standing in the street.

At least he was doing something worthwhile to earn some money.
I just passed a beggar hanging around in town and didn't give him any money. If I had had time I would have gone to the supermarket and bought him some sandwiches and a drink.

You are entitled to your opinion regarding smoking or drinking and nobody forces you to buy the Big Issue or indeed to give to down and outs. However handing out a couple of quid does not really give us the right to judge. Being poor is hard enough without (self) righteous indignation. Have we never indulged in something which to others is a luxury? It is very tempting to decide for others what constitutes legitimate spending but a cigarette may provide a few minutes' relaxation or respite from the harsh realities of poverty. "Judge not lest ye be judged"?

Perhaps he should switch brands. Sovereign or Berkley are about £3 cheaper per packet.

Soutra if someone is genuinely 'down and out' and sleeping rough I know that I would give help (and dog food for the dog as well) as would anybody.
big issue sellers are not necessarily poor if they are in receipt of housing benefit and the rest (tax credits etc) because they are deemed self-employed. Do they (rather than the Kleeneze man who goes door to door selling his wares) are more deserving of charity ?
did you read the link I posted?

Charity is giving there should be no strings attached. I too would often rather give a down and out a sandwich or packet of dog biscuits for his dog rather than money for his next can of beer but if I give him money I cannot insist he spends it "worthily". However I thought we were talking about buying The Big Issue, not charity handouts?

Just a random thought, it might have been that the packet of cigarettes had been given to him, rather than something he had bought with his own money?

Things are not always as clear cut as they might at first be seen.

(grammar looks all wrong, but I'm claiming stress after a difficult interview!)

Just a thought – smoking acts as an appetite suppressant.

Nobody forces anyone to buy the Big Issue. Is it reasonable that after someone has stood around in all weathers selling a magazine, his/her customers should dictate what he/she spends the money on?

Good points.

Hope your interview went well phoenix.

Big Issue sellers have to be defined as homeless to sell the magazines. The Kleeneze man probably isnt defined as homeless.

I learnt elsewhere that the definition of homeless, is something along the lines of, not having a permanent place to stay.

Big Issue sellers have to be defined as homeless to sell the magazines.

That's not correct, soontobe

www.bigissue.org.uk/get-involved/how-become-vendor

phoenix, I do hope you're not going to be job-seeking again...

I think I am joining you in your alternative universe lefthanded as I also have no idea what YABVU and YANVU mean. Can anyone explain please?

huh, Ana!

I went by what I thought I knew, and this
www.bigissue.org.uk/

It appears their google headline and this bit, is not as clear cut as it looks.

www.definition-of.com/YABVU
www.definition-of.com/YABVU

With a bit of help from the younger element

sorry, www.mumsnet.com/info/acronyms

Your link though does seem that you have to be in fairly big trouble to become a seller.

More trouble than the Kleeneze man may be in.

Of course. But not necessarily homeless.

Thanks rosequartz.

No, true.
I wonder if selling Big Issues have saved some people from losing their homes.

I don't know, they can't earn that much.

Probably saved the dignity of quite a few though, which is priceless.

No, probably not enough to save their house.
They would have to make a lot of money each week to do that, I would have thought.