a different type of beggar

No I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have given any money. In my nearest large city there was a problem with aggressive begging which has largely calmed down now, due to efforts from the police, etc. Many beggars are not genuine.
I was once approached unpleasantly by a young woman with a dog. "Give me some money," she insisted aggressively whilst stamping her foot in front of me.
I responded quickly in the heat of the moment.
"No, f&*k off," and I stamped back.
The look on her face as her jaw hit the ground was priceless. I expect she thought that I would be easy to intimidate as I'm small and was by myself.
She then said her dog hadn't eaten all day so I told her that she should have thought of that earlier, not my problem, etc. Yes, I'm a nice person and it was probably harsh of me. I do feel sorry for genuinely homeless people but I don't like being taken for a ride.

I have just signed a petition against South Teeside who are making it illegal to give food and drink in the street. It results in a £100 fine (I think for the beggar).
I think this is dreadful and if I want to give someone some food why shouldn’t I.
On the thing about them being genuine, would you sit out on the street in all weathers just to get a free sandwich, I certainly wouldn’t by choice.
I also think if I was living on the streets I would turn to drink to make life more bearable.
In my early twenties I nearly ended up homeless myself and it could happen to anyone.

My daughter and I passed a young woman sitting on the pavement begging on a bitterly cold day and I didn't want to give her money as it looked likely that she would spend it on drugs or alcohol, so we went into a nearby shop and I bought her a woolly hat, scarf and gloves set, and took it back to her. She said thank you, but when we passed her an hour later, she wasn't wearing any of it and looked absolutely frozen. Perhaps people were less likely to give anything if she was sitting there well wrapped up, or perhaps she was going to sell them for drugs .... I still think about her years later as she must have been around my daughter's age. Such a tragedy.

There are numerous rough sleepers, including women, in our town. The authorities tell people not to give them money as it goes on drugs, but I have to say I am not comfortable with this but equally don't know what to do. You did the right thing, at least you did not cross to the other side when you received an appeal for help. She did buy food, so that is something. Part of a much greater problem.

I give once, but I don't get involved as I just don't know where it could lead. I work with a young girl at the moment who has been sent to us from the job centre. The job ends at Christmas and try as she might she has been unable to get a job. I look for jobs for her as well, but I don't tell her in case she starts to lean on me and she becomes my responsibility! She has a family but they don't seem to care!

Yes I do give but not always, I trust my judgement. As others say I sometimes buy them a takeaway ie Golden Arches or meal deal it really depends on the moment. My DD always says when we are out together in London,mum, don’t give money just buy food as they may spend it on drink and drugs.There for the grace of god!.

Me too Morgana.
But I have a friend who doesn't agree with giving to them. We nearly fell out over it.
I haven't asked her yet what she would have said to this young lass.

If I don't give I feel guilty for weeks.

beggars aren't always rough sleepers,there are a multitude of folk whose benefits have been cut or who are waiting on the change to UC who beg to try to make up enough cash to pay their rent.I watched a programme about homelessness last week and many were families where the main breadwinner had lost his/her job and they were turfed out of their homes.No address means no benefits ...and sofa surfing doesn't give them a permanent address.They beg to get food for their kids ...until the council can get aroof over their head.It was quite shocking that people are treated this way in the 21st century

Yes I would help ..have done this with a young homeless man who I had spoken to on several occasions he seemed genuine and I got to know some of his back story

Thanks for the replies.
This was in France, and I don't know about the charities here who help pregnant teenagers. I'll have to try to find out.
I do know that the laws about unemployment benefit are much tougher here than in the UK. Can't imagine them getting much from the 'Social.'
OTOH she looked healthy and didn't seem to be sleeping rough.
I will definitely look out for them, and try to find out more about sources of help.
I had that feeling - there for the grace of God could have been one of my family.

At least she did spend the money on dog food and not drugs or cigarettes etc

It is a difficult one I can see that you would want to help but maybe see if you do see more of them in the coming days to be able to make a better judgement of the situation

Perhaps if you see her again you can let her know about all of the many organisations that would help such a person on the streets

I never give money, only food, I have in the past taken a young homeless girl into a supermarket and bought her some essentials to get her through a difficult time. Yes, I may have been played for a fool but sometimes you have to trust a person's word and know one knows what life has in store for us. if I have it I will share it!

I never know whether to give or not - it's very difficult to judge if there's a genuine need.

She may have been buying the rice and oats for herself...if she was very poor. The dog may have been useful to encourage people to "give".
Hard to say if she was genuinely hard up. Had you had more time to talk to her, you may have had more of an instinct as to her real situation.
If she looked really down and out, I think if you could afford a few pounds, it would have been a lifeline for her.
Maybe you will come across her again.