Direct approach begging

They have to keep to their allocated pitch, so it should be obvious if someone is poaching.

Is there a rule that says that seeing that happen should never ring an alarm bell in someone's head?
Perhaps the Big Issue seller was being dropped by an organiser. Perhaps it was a friend. Perhaps it wasn't.

As Chewbacca says ^"The Big Issue itself recognises that some of their ex vendors, and rogue sellers have and do abuse their system but their is very little that they can do about it except that you request to see their registration badge. So for anyone to deny that this happens is ridiculous."*

If anyone has suspicions, then a phone call to the Big Issue office about a seller at X pitch at Y time on Z day should ascertain whether they are genuine. And if they are aggressive, they should be reported to there. They have strict rules to abide by.

We used to give beggars a box of raisins in the belief that money would be wasted on booze or drugs.

...my wife always had a box handy when our kids were young.

Last time we're were accosted in a restaurant the staff promptly ushered the beggar out.

Elegran, is there a rule that says that Big Issue sellers cannot be dropped off from expensive cars?

DS's best friend was Sally Army and always advised us not to give to beggars, many of whom are not genuine, including one who sat on the approach to our indoor market playing one of two tunes on the recorder - after 5 years he still played the wrong notes with no attempt to improve. I still feel slightly guilty at refusing money, but have a limited income and many other demands on what we have coming in.

Good post Day6.

I have no problem with donating to food banks or registered charities. But I do have a problem when the same Big Issue seller has stood in the same place, for several years, every weekend and then climbs into a large Mercedes at the end of the day. And I'm apparently not the only person who has witnessed the same thing, judging by the number of reports on this topic. The Big Issue itself recognises that some of their ex vendors, and rogue sellers have and do abuse their system but their is very little that they can do about it except that you request to see their registration badge. So for anyone to deny that this happens is ridiculous.

dj People state factually that they have felt intimidated by people asking for money and believe that they are better off than they claim.

They also say that they have seen Big Issue sellers dropped at their pitch from expensive cars. That is not innuendo, it is what they have witnessed. We all know that the Big Issue organisation have rules - but we also may suspect that there are unscrupulous people around who would take advantage of a large complex organisation. Possibly not he actual sellers but their "managers".

What very rich and very stupid students do has nothing to do with it.

DJ, the way you took exception to a perfectly innocent comment is here for all to see.

Bluff, bluster, changing the subject, quickly posting more links...You've been exposed.

You portray yourself as a person who cares yet you frequently want everything your way on threads.

Open discussion and agreeing to disagree is preferable to your frequent censorious derision of people who challenge you.

John Bird asking about poverty prevention in the House of Lords.

www.bigissue.com/tag/poverty-prevention/

There have been a lot of derogatory comments on here about Big Issue vendors.
Here are a few facts about Big Issue vendors.

www.bigissue.com/news/

This thread is about direct begging, durhamjen. Start your own about homelessness if you wish.

There has been no innuendo in any posts.Just posters recounting their experiences, if you don't like this djen you don't have to comment on the thread.

Hear hear Day6

DJ - But I don't like innuendo and there is a lot of that on this thread, including that comment.

If your sensibilities are offended then our accounts are unacceptable?

No, I am not buying it DJ.

There was no innuendo whatsoever in that comment. I merely reported something told to me. If the problem of intimidation WAS dealt with in court, what's your problem?

You have a go at people you don't like, me included, and it's bloody obvious.

Valentine - A lot of sweeping statements here about homeless people. They are not all drug addicts and even if some are they are still human beings.

I agree valentine BUT, we are still human beings too. It has to be said that many beggars are intimidating, in-yer-face, aggressive, demanding etcs, as has been mentioned here. Some, not all.

Is it fair that people going about their business have to encounter this?

If football fans did this to members of the public, intimidated them in any way, there'd be outrage and police action. If a beggar does it it's OK?

It's not.

EVERYONE, including all the GNs who've mentioned they find it frightening have rights no matter what their income or circumstances.

I'd like to read comments on the fact that the number of homeless children has increased by 37%.
As I said, not all homeless are single.

But I don't like innuendo and there is a lot of that on this thread, including that comment.

I believe that at least twice very rich students have burnt fifty pound notes in front of homeless people.

Why was that snidey comment necessary DJ? I am almost becoming wary of posting on GN because of things like this, being picked to pieces for joining in the conversation.

WHY?????

One of my work colleagues read something in the local paper. I didn't. So it's hearsay.

That OK with you DJ????

"I believe...I believe..."

So you dson't know, then, Day6.

speye.wordpress.com/2017/07/22/why-has-homeless-children-increased-37/

Not just the single who are homeless, either.

I too give directly to local charities which will aid the homeless, rather than to beggars. Sadly it is true that so many use their benefits and the cash they beg for to feed their drug or alcohol habit. I feel ever so awkward when I refuse a beggar or walk on by. It does prick the conscience. I used to buy sandwiches and drinks but was sworn at once when I offered a beggar a McDonald's meal. He was so disparaging and aggressive that now I just don't approach. I find many beggars to be slightly intimidating.

In a big town nearby where I used to work, two beggars had a scam going.

They'd sit themselves down right next to the pay machines in the car park, where people would have their purses out. They' be two feet away, looking directly at the person feeding the machine and ask them more 'spare change'. I noticed they moved around car parks but always sat right where people would have to be fumbling in their bags etc. So many flustered people handed over cash and scurried off, me included.

One day I turned from the machine to go to my car and saw one of these beggars getting out of a car, changing his trainers and hurriedly finishing off a sandwich, then he got his blanket and money box and made his way to the machine. He glared at me, because I'd obviously sussed out his scam. He puts on puppy dog eyes and a pleading voice once he's plonked himself down by the machines. Here he was, striding across the car park looking very aggressive.

I believe many people complained about the car park scam. Those two did vanish and were in court I believe.

It's a strange world.

I don't have a problem with beggars sitting in the street asking for money as you can donate or not as you choose, even those approaching you walking down the road are not too bad. However, those who harangue you on a train when you can't move away are intimidating. I also find it offensive seeing beggars in a hospital.

There has been a female Big Issue seller wearing long, eastern looking clothes outside my local sainsburys for over six years. she is often plying her magazines from the bench she is sitting on - I was given to understand that one of the stipulations of being allowed to sell these was that the seller should be standing? During "slack" periods she spends a lot of time on a very expensive looking phone just calling out "Big Issue please lady/sir" barely breaking off her phone conversation!!