Giving to a person begging on the Underground

I never give to beggars....but do give to buskers - at least they are trying to entertain people.

Not exactly relevant but I remember when I was quite a young child on holiday with my parents in Spain, small and grubby children coming around the hotel and restaurant tables begging. I was terribly shocked and distressed as I had never seen beggars before. I also remember the same sense of shock and distress when I started seeing beggars in London many years later. And this is the 21st century!

^Obviously they are not supposed to beg, Annie.
Should be hidden from view so they do not offend or disturb us^

Is it really necessary to be sarcastic? I should think we are all on the same side here ie.feeling compassion for the homeless, destitute, needy.

Thanks Alea, you posted what I thought on reading those comments. I loathe the phrase that's been discussed on this forum recently about 'virtue signalling' - but honestly, it's as though some folks see themselves as the only compassionate posters.

But that's just it Iam .....compassionate posers posters.

It's the easiest thing in the world to sit down and type out virtuous posts, but in my book actions speak louder than words and I'd be interested to know what some of these people actually DO to help those in need other than just spouting off.

No need for insults Alea, this crossing through a word which is so obviously meant to insult is silly

And I meant Anya not Alea, sorry

What would some do without their 'virtue signalling' comments,

......but apt!

I think virtue signalling is a form of insecurity.

Annie I'm not getting at you, but I'm sure you take my point as you are an intelligent woman. It's very easy for people to spout off and try to claim the moral high ground.

My point is still valid.

There are those on GN who are very compassionate and actually get off their soap boxes and do something about it. Just making silly remarks about people ought to be hidden out of sight, does nothing to help the discussion.

I take it that none of us like to see poor and homeless people in the street,
But not knowing their circumstances, do not want to give our money to be spent on drugs, so offering a sandwich and a cup of tea is a good thing to do.when working in Oxford ( sadly a lot of drug users there) I used to carry a 50p coin in my pocket so as not to be harrassed by all sorts of types including gypsies.This adds up over the week ( and that was quite a while ago.) walking in the city centre last week, most of them had vanished and I noticed a better atmosphere, busking yes, but that is not begging.

Rubbish Rosesarered,

Anya wants to know what some do to help those in need, anyone who posted what they did would be accused of virtue signalling ,

Actions do indeed speak louder than words.

Perhaps if some posters did not continually take the moral high ground on every subject under the sun ........

Anya what exactly do you want? Details of their bank accounts showing a list of direct debits to charity?

How do you expect them to answer?

Do NOT second guess me Annie - I'd be delighted to read what others actually do to help the situation, from giving to charities, to washing sheets at homeless centres, or anything else.

X post jingl

The scenario being discussed has moved on from what I was originally posting on and since I don't have any high ground I am not sure I can add anything profitable.
However, I do throw this in to be chewed on:
Members of my family are involved in Street Missions and whilst some support others actively take out hot food or sandwiches, clothing and blankets to those who either cannot or will not be helped in any other way. The shelters are full most nights and those using them get a good hot meal and breakfast, toiletries, hot showers and a chance to wash their clothes. Most of these homeless people have to be invited in to a shelter and do not beg as many of them are in deep depression and some have mental problems and others have fallen through the cracks after leaving the armed services or after family break ups. It is rarely the same sort of person begging in the streets so clearly there is more than one problem and there needs to be more than one solution.

I agree Syno there are many many reasons for being on the streets.

Sandwich or drink to beggars, never money. Very happy to give money to buskers - they are doing something to earn it and I couldn't give a flying whatnot whether or not they have a licence to busk. They certainly cheer up the London Underground and in the past I have remonstrated with a policeman for being so miserable about it.

Apology accepted Anniebach
I will admit I was a LITTLE surprised at your reaction to what I thought a reasonable and even conciliatory comment ...., but realise you had mixed us up.

I couldn't give a flying whatnot whether or not they have a licence to busk.
No, but the police do!!
And many buskers are music students trying to supplement their income - just think, when you toss them £1 you could be paying a lot of money to hear them one day in the future

Absent - the first beggars I encountered were also in Spain, young women with babies in an underpass near a small railway station. I was shocked - 'begging in Europe?!'

Decades later in central Birmingham on a quiet street a young woman with a child spoke to me. I gave her £10 because I felt so sorry for her and had no change. Twenty yards down the road a second young woman, previously not visible, stepped out from a doorway with her child and asked for money. I told her to share what I'd given the other one and went on my way, sadder and wiser!

I once saw a little traveller girl whom I'd taught near my home (not near hers) with a woman who was begging. She said to the woman 'No, it's my teacher!' I phoned the police when I got home but I don't know of any response, which isn't to say there wasn't one.

Does anyone remember, in the 1990s in central London, Eastern European women begging while carrying babies who were always deeply asleep and didn't appear to move. There was suspicion that the babies were sedated. Letters to Barbara Roche and her Opposition counterpart produced bland unhelpful replies. The women did disappear after a while however.

In the last case it looked like a child protection issue.