Do you give money to beggars?

[Drew]

This is a dilemma I face everyday. A couple of disappointing experiences in the past (seeing them using the money I gave to buy a pack of smokes) have made me really cynical about beggars, but more often than not I find myself feeling guilty for ignoring beggars on the street. Mostly because I am aware that I have a comfortable life and that I will always have more than I need.

I've had some pleasant experiences too. Just last Saturday, I was out late and this poor woman was going around the tables asking for money - everyone ignored her as they enjoyed their expensive dessert and drinks and I felt so sorry for her. I was the only one who gave her any money in the end but her response was so sweet and it just made me really happy. So yeah, I guess it depends on what I'm feeling at that point in time. What about you?

[Alysha]

Ever since I got off a train this one time and a homeless man tried to force me to give him money I just avoid it at all costs. He tried to back little old 14 y/o me into a corner after I'd given him a couple of £, and pressure me into giving him everything I had, my dad arrived in the car to take me home and got out to chase the guy off, but pretty much since then, I will just not offer money up. I'll still give to certain charities though.

[Cerys]

Ummm no and I don't think I really ever would. All the people that I've seen begging out in Leeds are always so aggressive like they'd follow you till you give them stuff or tell them to go away.

My mum gives a bit a month to certain charities who deal with them so I guess that's something

[xxMATTGxx]

Nope, not at all. I just walk past them. Mainly because I don't know who is legit and who isn't and that I'm also not made of money.

[Samantha]

It's very rare I would give them anything, when I worked in Bradford there used to be a homeless person or homeless people under the tunnel connecting both the retail parks and I would rather just avoid it.

[Matt]

I don't give money to beggars simply because I know so many people fake it and it makes me feel like I can't trust them to spend the money on something actually worthwhile.

[Hannah]

In my local area we don't really have any, surprisingly enough.

The biggest beggar we have in my local town is the people selling Big Issue and getting aggressive because you don't need any more issues.

If I've seen homeless people though, who genuinely look homeless, I'll get 'em something to eat and some dog food if they have a dog - I don't trust them to spend my money on ideal things because of their situation makes it pretty difficult to not want to drink and smoke.

[David]

"If I had a dollar for every time a homeless person asked me for money, I'd still say no."

if you want to help people but don't trust them, don't give them money give them food or something else.

[Empired]

I saw a guy in town on Saturday who was sat in a sleeping bag and it was so cold and he looked so miserable and sad. Someone had just given him a pastry from Pret and I asked him if he'd had anything to drink and he said no so I went and bought him a hot chocolate and a box of fruit. Idk normally they annoy me a bit but this guy looked so small and he can't have been more than eighteen so I just thought I had to. Made me really sad after too when I was walking away.

But I would never give just money, only offer food and drink.

[Kellie]

I'd never give them money. If I was feeling nice enough I'd buy them a sandwich and some water. I did that once when I was in Bognor but they didn't beg. Was an old man with his dog, also bought his dog a treat. I felt bad, I used to see him lay there everyday I walked to work and back again