Random People Asking for Money

OnepunchDan on 13/07/2019 - 23:12
Last edited 14/07/2019 - 10:23 by 1 other user

Hey peeps,

Lately I’ve been exploring different parts of places around Melbourne such as the city and around my suburb. Not sure if the economy has anything to do with it but random people have been asking me for money.

Some of you may already know about the homeless people around the city begging for money or even just asking for donations but some of them have stepped up their game and confidence. I've had a lady go around asking for coins, and now surprisingly teenage girls around my suburb are randomly asking for some money( they are clearly not homeless). The girl ask for $4 when it was clear they don't need it. To make it more shady it was Already past 10:30pm at Maccas.

How would you respond to these types of request? Would you give in? Would you make sure they’re not trying to be shady or would you just reject them flat out or come up with an excuse?

Financial

Comments

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/07/2019 - 14:10
    +10

    I can only speak for Melbourne CBD but it's getting worse and worse. Numbers are increasing near Cnr Flinders and Spencer under the bridge. There are many other areas as well.

    The cops come and do a "sweep" occasionally, but this solves nothing. They move on to somewhere else, still in the same situation, or leave and return later that night, still in the same situation.

    The majority of homeless have mental issues or are "long-term" homeless and can't drag themselves out of the situation they're in. They need support. These people don't need your money. Unfortunately it's increasing difficult for them to access or receive. Luckily there's a few serious organisations, (and not your typical sports athlete charities who hold swanky dinners and parties and claim the majority of the expenses as "charity" expenditure), that are trying to help where our government lacks, fails or does not offer the requisite services.

    The other significant proportion of homeless are those without family, possibly without friends, who have encountered hardship - lost their job, their partner, subsequently lost their housing/rental. It can happen quickly and swiftly and suddenly they are in the shit. It's hard to apply, prepare, attend interviews if you have no fixed address nor means to prepare for said interview. If they don't rebound quickly, suddenly they're in the shit for good.

    The system needs change otherwise we face a Los Angeles or SanFran situation in 10-20 years. I visited not long ago. Homeless literally everywhere in the cities. The Tenderloin area of SanFran (google it) would blow people's minds.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2019 - 13:41

      The majority of homeless have mental issues

      Actually the majority of homeless people , about 24%, are victims of domestic and family violence and 20% are sleeping rough due to financial difficulties. Many develop health problems as a consequence of being homeless including depression, poor nutrition, poor dental health, substance abuse and mental health problems. Not the other way around.

      When you look at it , the stats are quite scary : according to the latest census, on any given night in Australia,
      1 in 200 people are homeless. This could happen to any one of us.

      Edit:
      In, before you ask me for my source :)
      Factsheet published by HA , which is the national peak body for homelessness in Australia.

      Edit 2: It should be added that the national peak body for homelessness in Australia receives no funding from the government and operates solely on a voluntary basis. They were defunded by the Federal Government in December 2014. Yet, there's enough money in the budget to give away freely to the middle-income earners this year…

      • lainey13 on 16/07/2019 - 16:16

        According to our government this is totally fine. (Look up what the minister for homelessness thinks about it, Luke Howarth.)

        • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2019 - 17:42
          +1

          MP Luke Let's-put-a-positive-spin Howarth, because hey, homelessness has fallen in some parts of the country, even though overall homelessness has risen by 20% ?

          How do you find a positive spin to the fact that 116,000 Australians do not have a safe, permanent home? That 17,845 Australian children under 10 are homeless and that 402 of those kids are sleeping outside, in the middle of winter?

          My mind boggles as to how we're supposed to find a positive in those statistics.Downplaying the homelessness crisis is not going to make the problem go away.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 16/07/2019 - 19:54

        I guess different organisations will have different stats.

        The HREOC stated the majority of homeless suffer mental issues. Here and here. Admittedly it's not something I've read up on much lately, but doubt much has changed.

        Either way I agree the government needs to take more action.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2019 - 20:47

          I guess different organisations will have different stats.

          Nope. Everyone uses the same stats provided by the ABS. At least they do now.The reports you've linked to were based on the 1993 inquiry. Much have changed since then and sadly, not for the better.

          Whatever the cause of homelessness: be it domestic violence,mental illness, poverty, unemployment,a shortage of affordable housing, sexual assault, addiction..etc, the fact remains that access to safe and secure housing is one of the most basic human rights. Homelessness is a violation of this basic human right, which is itself the product of many other human rights abuses.

          A lot more Something needs to be done. If this forum is any indication , most people don't care so long as they themselves have a home to go to at night, and therefore no action will be taken by the government :(

      • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 11:04

        The ABS definition of "homeless" is… a tad flexible though:

        The ABS statistical definition states that when a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:

        is in a dwelling that is inadequate; or
        has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable; or
        does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations.

        By this definition I was homeless for a good part of my uni days because I had trouble locking down a share room I liked and was living with friends/airbnb for a while. No way would anyone, including myself, have actually thought I was homeless.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2019 - 11:09

          a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives

          Whereas you had access to suitable accomodation alternatives but chose to couch-surf instead because you were too picky.

          • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 11:14

            @[Deactivated]: I didn't have "suitable" alternatives. Because the ABS doesn't define that. Nor do they define "adequate".

            Homeless, to me, is literally not having a place to stay. Not that it's not suitable, or that it's not adequate. And I think most people have the same definition of the word.

            • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2019 - 12:47

              @HighAndDry: The ABS definition of homelessness is informed by an understanding of homelessness as 'home'lessness, not rooflessness. It emphasises the core elements of a 'home'.

              The working definition in the industry , which was also adopted by the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Homelessness in 2001, includes 3 categories in recognition of the diversity of homelessness:

              • Primary homelessness is experienced by people without conventional accommodation (e.g. sleeping rough or in an improvised dwelling).

              • Secondary homelessness is experienced by people who frequently move from one temporary shelter to another (e.g. emergency accommodation, youth refuges, "couch surfing").

              • Tertiary homelessness is experienced by people staying in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards (e.g. boarding houses and caravan parks).

              Whichever definition we use, there is no denying that this is an issue that needs to be tackled urgently as it can only get worse, and not just sweep under the carpet like Howarth is doing.

              What was it that Gandhi said about the greatness of a nation?

  • useruser on 15/07/2019 - 14:16
    +7

    It's easy to say no and walk on by but don't forget your humanity, if someone really is in need try to keep an open mind.

  • Logical on 15/07/2019 - 15:00
    +1

    I just start using sign language and they turn around!

    • luffyex2010 on 15/07/2019 - 15:03

      Thinking back many years ago I encounter one who approached me with a sign I have HIV,. I quickly gave the person my coins… It's like an extortion but I just donated without my concious mind due to fear.

      • lostn on 15/07/2019 - 18:58

        you don't catch HIV by being near someone who has it or touching them. It's transmitted through a transfer of body fluids which is unlikely in your case.

        • luffyex2010 on 16/07/2019 - 08:51

          Yes, I know the science and logic to that and since I am Asian/me it makes me more paranoid and my brain processes defenses and the risk management starts to kick in.

          The fear tells me give money and you will not get stab by a syringe if he is a lunatic.

          E.g Westerner: bungie jumping, sky diving, swimming in the ocean = yeah! Yippee, that's life baby.

          Me:oh the risk… what happens if my shute fail to open, what if the bungie rope snap, oh no thanks great white shark. I am quite a paranoid person 😂🤣

          I just can't associate the excitement gain vs the risk involved.

          I even check public seats and cinema seats for prank needle or syringe.

          I know I get it a lot like man you are really missing out, that is the way of life or even, you only live once….and that is my answer to them you only got one life and I intend to steer away from dangers that might end or shorten it lol

  • jelko on 15/07/2019 - 15:52
    +3

    I hate venturing into the CBD. Dregs of society everywhere and they have the audacity to ask a stranger for money.

  • lostn on 15/07/2019 - 18:57

    Sorry pal, all I got are hundreds. Unless you have change?

    • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2019 - 18:15
      +1

      No need for change. I'll take the $100 , thanks :P

  • freemoneyhunter on 15/07/2019 - 19:34
    +2

    I give 100% of my money to charity which is myself.

  • baskinghobo on 15/07/2019 - 21:41

    I once had a guy with a beer belly ask me for 20 bucks. I told him sorry I only have card and then he pointed to the ATM and I didn't say anything and then he said he'll be honest, he just wants a nice steak. I was like wtf, how does that make it any better?

    • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2019 - 18:16
      +1

      A guy with a beer belly asked you ( a hobo!) for $20 to buy a steak?😮

  • baskinghobo on 15/07/2019 - 22:03
    +2

    I don't want to sound heartless but the way I see it everyone has access to Centrelink so If they can't budget properly then I couldn't care less. The only people I feel empathetic towards are the mentally ill who want to but are unable to help themselves.

  • Checkmate3023 on 15/07/2019 - 22:57

    These words will change your life

    'Sorry mate, I only carry card'

    • idonotknowwhy on 16/07/2019 - 11:20
      +1

      Not really, you've been forced to lie if you say this (You're not sorry, I'm not sorry either).

    • DemocracyManifest on 19/07/2019 - 10:03

      Just say, I'm broke too

  • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2019 - 23:01

    I don't rarely give money. But I always stop for a chat with anyone selling the Big Issue and will buy 1 or more copies from them.

  • wog_ta on 16/07/2019 - 07:00

    The reason you have more homeless people around the Melbourne CBD area is generally because people are more generous and services for the homeless are much better so it makes sense for many to migrate.

    If you want to help, donate instead to local services such as the Salvos who do a lot of good work. If we all do this the incentive to beg goes out the window and the little money they make does not get spend on substances to worsen their situation.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 16/07/2019 - 09:33

      Well I wouldn't call the services "much better". It's just that there are absolutely zero services outside of the general CBD area.

      Then you add quantity of people walking, lack of policing, plenty of locations for shelter, it's a no brainer for them.

  • brawndo on 16/07/2019 - 07:05
    +7

    Don't feed the birds.

  • elcheapoinoz on 16/07/2019 - 09:50

    I find this in a large suburb in western sydney that has a lot of housing in neighbouring suburbs.
    It's like a hub. people go there for work so people go there to beg, as there's a lot of potential.

    Maccas, although they were trying to push this "fancy" initiative has always been a bit of a dump, and a lot of shady characters gather around.

    It's interesting how the beggars look the same, skinny, or at least older than age looking faces.
    Is it the smoking? drugs? booze? coincidence?

    there are some rough sleepers, but the majority have a house to go back to, and are gone when it gets dark.

  • payless69 on 16/07/2019 - 10:15

    To see into the future just take a trip to India! Professional begging is the inn thing to do in a country of a growing population and great tolerance.

    China has a better approach: Train guards use brute force to throw beggard off platforms!

    For the world traveller begging is nothing new. Even travel forums keep telling on how to travel for nothing by pretending to be poor.

    Btw India has some "property tycoons" well small scale but an ever growing race to who can buy more properties with begged money!

    • luffyex2010 on 16/07/2019 - 10:33

      I know that I have no rights to talk about their sacred river "Ganges River" but watching documentary people shower, drinking, swimming in it is a whole new level of 🤐😥😮😣😨😬🤯😵😰😱

      • payless69 on 17/07/2019 - 10:17
        +1

        In France they had passed a law that you could end up in jail bullying a beggar! Before that law I used to approach them dog fanatics sitting there with 3 or 4 dogs begging for luxury dog food: Sir I could show you a recipe how to enjoy dog meat. Got some interesting smiles presenting it the right way. But Varanasi is the way to lose weight! @ full days watching burning bodies and I vomited for 2 days! Easiest way to lose 10 kg in just days…

  • Jaysful on 16/07/2019 - 11:02
    +1

    OP it sounds like you're either indoors a lot or don't go out a lot (at night).

  • idonotknowwhy on 16/07/2019 - 11:33
    +3

    Why are you all so scared of beggars?
    If you don't want to say no to them, and don't want to give them anything, you can literally just ignore them.
    Seriously try it; no eye-contact, don't slow your walking speed, don't say a word to them, just walk past.
    They're used to it. What you'll find is they just look around for the next person to ask.

    • Windows7forever on 17/07/2019 - 02:47
      +2

      I ignore most people in general. It keeps people away. Works well.

      • baskinghobo on 17/07/2019 - 09:24
        +3

        Sometimes it's hard to tell who's a begger and who is asking for simple directions. I like to treat people like humans and at least hear them out.

    • juki on 18/07/2019 - 22:25

      yeah i was raised to look at people who talk to me, so i always do look at anyone addressing me, gets me into so much trouble, especially since i'm a nice guy :/

  • Excelsior on 16/07/2019 - 12:16

    I'll do you one better - had instances where high schoolers would come up and ask if I could give them a lift somewhere (eg. to the mall), because they "missed the bus".

    • Some Human on 17/07/2019 - 13:22
      +2

      Reminds me of a time last year. An older lady from across the street whom I've never met in the 6 years I've lived here suddenly decided to knock on my door just before 10pm on a saturday night and ask, "Hi I'm from number 14, I've just sprained my ankle, would you be able to give me a lift to Coles?"
      I stood dumbfounded, thinking…are you serious? Coles?
      She repeated herself and I said, "Sorry."
      "But I've sprained my ankle."
      "Sorry."
      She scoffed and walked off slightly limping.
      It is about 20 metres to her house from mine and she managed fine. Coles is maybe 500metres away.
      No doubt if I had given her a lift, I would have copped the old, "I've forgotten my wallet and the store closes in a minute, lend me some money please?"
      I'm certain of this because the next week she came back just before coles closing time and knocked again, but I didn't answer. She kept saying "Oh you're a gorgeous cat aren't you?" about my cat whom she could see through the wire door (it was summer). Trying to draw attention by saying it really loudly. I ignored her until she left 5 mins later.
      Next day I put a sign up "Not an ATM, Taxi or Charity - Do Not Disturb"
      She hasn't come back since.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2019 - 12:09
        +4

        I'd offer to call her a cab or Uber.

        People these days think that the act of asking should somehow be rewarded.

        • Some Human on 18/07/2019 - 13:14

          Good idea.

          The thing that bothered me the most was that the following afternoon (after the first incident) she waited out the front of her house and tried to flag me down as I drove to work. She knew what time I left for work and waited for me. I just drove straight past her, because I know once you start doing favors for people like that, they keep wanting more.

          • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2019 - 13:22
            +3

            @Some Human: I have learnt that people who expect charity, favours, etc. are people to stay away from, and to never compromise with.

          • Excelsior on 19/07/2019 - 09:03
            +1

            @Some Human: Exactly. Self-entitlement or just naive to expect that that's how the world works? I reckon most of them would get defensive and say "oh but if we swapped places I'd definitely help you out no questions".

  • ireadtermsofuse on 16/07/2019 - 13:15
    +2

    I’ll say:

    “No! Because I believe you will buy booze with it! I just want to get from my car to the office without being confronted by the decay of Western society. Plus I’m cheap” legs it

    • Hunter14 on 16/07/2019 - 15:30
      +2

      Jerk off!!!

      • ireadtermsofuse on 16/07/2019 - 15:48
        +1

        😂😂😂

      • HighAndDry on 18/07/2019 - 14:30

        I think that'd be a bit over the top don't you think? Probably illegal in public too.

  • R4 on 16/07/2019 - 14:50

    This is particularly bad in Perth CBD at the moment - and it's starting to get annoying. Just had a young guy ask me for money outside Enex100. My answer is always no - but I always look them in the eye when I do.

  • Kamsi on 16/07/2019 - 15:25

    I'm afraid the answer is NO. Normally if they come to me I'll say no coins and if they smart about it they move on. I get some crazy one that say I don't mind the notes if you don't have the coins. I just laugh off and walk away.

  • kazozza on 16/07/2019 - 15:25
    +3

    Around 20-ish years ago I was walking in Central Station in Sydney when a guy with a surfboard under his arm asked me for $20 so he could buy a train ticket home. I told him to sell his board. I really should have offered to buy it for the $20. It was a sweet looking board.

  • froodh on 16/07/2019 - 16:08
    +2

    I'll just leave this here:
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/chinese-nationals-bu…

    • Gauntlet on 16/07/2019 - 21:20

      I'm too cheap to pay for news!

    • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2019 - 11:55

      Can you spare a dollar so I can read it?

  • roddo on 16/07/2019 - 16:11
    +5

    I had to ask for money once. Well dressed (imho) uni student years ago. Just returned from overseas and running late. Went to buy train ticket and only had foreign currency. Doh! Someone kindly spotted me.
    Not my strongest moment.

    • serpserpserp on 17/07/2019 - 10:20
      +2

      A little bit of kindness goes along way eh?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2019 - 18:47

      I remember as a teen being short a bus fare and someone spotting me the extra dollar or whatever it was to help me.

      I really hope we don't become a society where I wouldn't have received that dollar and couldn't get on the bus.

      • lainey13 on 20/07/2019 - 00:10

        That isn't happening any more anyway due to Myki…

  • freemoneyhunter on 16/07/2019 - 19:37

    I'm short on money if anyone can help send a few dollars to my payid, PM me for the address. Thank you.

    • vicerum on 17/07/2019 - 00:38
      -1

      Sorry my bank doesn't support PayID.

    • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 13:21
      +2

      Hi freemoney hunter, you're in luck! I represent an important individual from an esteemed royal line in the Republic of Nigeria. His Highness is wishing to donate his fortune to good causes as part of his global philanthropic efforts as he has no children to leave his wealth to, and you have been selected! Unfortunately, due to anti-monarchist sentiment in his country, the government has raised many barriers to his charitable works, but you can help him! If you just transfer the processing fee to….

      • juki on 18/07/2019 - 22:29

        man its been ages since i have received one of those by fax…ah the good ol' days

    • Sage on 20/07/2019 - 13:58

      username checks out.

  • TiLLiCoMe on 16/07/2019 - 21:54

    Ask them if they have change for a $100 note

    • serpserpserp on 17/07/2019 - 10:22

      You know I did that with a $50 once to be a smart arse then the guy was all like "Hold on, just wait a minute" and tried to start recruiting strangers into giving him change for a $50! Once I realized what was going on I took off! I'll never do that again.

      • TiLLiCoMe on 17/07/2019 - 18:38

        who's the smart one now LoL

  • Dr Techno on 16/07/2019 - 23:46
    +1

    This morning near Elizabeth St Nandos there was a rough looking guy sitting on the pavement repeating over and over again… Lemon Meringue Pie Please, Lemon Meringue Pie Please , Lemon Meringue Pie Please, Lemon Meringue Pie PLease, Lemon Meringue Pie Please….

    • idonotknowwhy on 17/07/2019 - 13:40

      I might try "3700X please, 3700X please, 3700X please, 3700X please" and see what happens..

  • lilkid28 on 17/07/2019 - 00:03

    Fun Fact: Did you know these beggars would deposit $100+ cash each day into their bank account at the ATM?

    • DemocracyManifest on 19/07/2019 - 10:07

      Well it makes sense for a entire day, buskers probably make more in the city too

  • Mosher on 17/07/2019 - 07:52
    +1

    It's the same with smokes

    I don't smoke but my brother does and this same guy came up to him every bumming a smoke and I told him next time the guy asks if he has a spare smoke tell his no you allways smoke your spare ones forst

    • serpserpserp on 17/07/2019 - 10:19
      +1

      Risky.

      I've had to defend myself from people at train stations asking me for cigarettes but I refused. One time it was pretty late at night at Richmond station on a platform and 1 guy asked, I said no, then he got really angry and then 3 of his mates rolled up from the other end of the platform. I was extremely fortunate that a train rolled up and some gumby's/police (can't remember which) got off in a massive pack right near me and I was able to walk away.

      • DemocracyManifest on 19/07/2019 - 10:08

        Yeah it's like the old can I borrow your phone routine.

  • hey aj on 17/07/2019 - 12:17

    "Fight me for it."

    Have a friend film the altercation and upload to YouTube.

    • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 13:22
      +1

      What why? Get two of them to fight each other and you can film it yourself.

      • hey aj on 17/07/2019 - 13:30
        +1

        I like the way you think, Bum Wars Vol. XI coming right up!

  • TheBird on 17/07/2019 - 12:35
    +12

    I used to think I was doing ok, but I sat down and thought about it. Student debt, credit card, car loan, home loan etc. etc. Got me to thinking I'm worse off than when I started. I'd be better off broke.

    The other day, I was walking down the road and spotted this homeless guy shaking his cup at me. Inside the cup I could hear a few gold coins ringing around.

    I complained to him, "Yeah, yeah. I know. You're richer than me. No need to rub it in every time I walk past."

    • T1OOO on 17/07/2019 - 12:51
      +4

      GOLD.

      close the thread. We’re done.

  • T1OOO on 17/07/2019 - 12:50

    Forgot my wallet. Didn’t have enough money to buy a return bus ticket. Guy on the bus gave me some to buy some.

  • dufflover on 17/07/2019 - 13:10

    Most times I get asked the excuse is money for the bus or train (both typical begger-looking people and kids).
    But very recently I got asked randomly "can I have a couple of bucks for a coffee?" lol. I mean this was in the Melb eastern suburbs so maybe that's just the classier style of begging over that way :P

  • yellowfever on 17/07/2019 - 14:56

    You are asking an Ozbargain forum if we donate to beggars…
    Our philosophy is to save a dollar in every way possible on a bargain not giveaway a dollar easily to a nobody

  • outlander on 17/07/2019 - 15:37
    +1

    I'm not sure what to do about beggars. I've been through several stages of understanding regarding them:

    -At first I just thought they were scary. Creatures of ramshackling darkness, that burst out of nowhere demanding coins, like the troll from under the bridge, disappearing back into the murky depths once they get their feed.

    -Then I fell under the liberal spell, and saw them as objects of pity. Like characters from some Charles Dickens story, they were victims of fate, with tragic tales of struggle and strife. If only some kind soul would take pity on them and give them a chance, they might be able to escape their wretched situation. But the cold, heartless blank faceless just walk right by, happy to drop 20k on a holiday to europe, but too greedy to drop $2 into the hands of a fellow human being. What greedy bastards…

    -Then I shrugged of the liberal spell, falling under the conservative spell in turn, and saw that these homeless people were nothing but lazy sponges, sucking off the generosity of others and giving nothing back to society. They blame everyone for their problems but never accept any responsibility for their situation. Any money you give them, they will just waste, drinking, smoking and doing drugs (those evil, evil drugs).
    Worse, a great deal are conmen! They throw on a oliver twist costume, play on our heartstrings, then drive away at the end in luxury cars, chuckling about how gullible we all are. I was enraged! They had made a fool of me! Fools out of all of us!(silly thinking, really. I had never really given much up to this point anyway)
    We're so lucky in this country, compared to some places in the world (where there's REAL poverty). Given that the government literally gives you money for free, the only people homeless here are homeless by choice. Other people have found themselves in worse circumstance and escaped, so if its possible for one its obviously possible for all.
    I'd like to thank Herald Sun and A Current Affair for helping me see this 'truth' through their 'news'.

    -Then I started to see the distinction between the black and the white, the many shades of grey. Logically there would be some people deserving of charity, and some not. How to act in a way, so I wasn't supporting the bad people, while not turning my back on the good? A system… Thats it! 5c coins! All those annoying pieces. Virtually useless to me, but to a desperate person it was still money. If everyone acted that way, giving their low value change to homeless, it would add up to a significant number, while any non-deserving person would scorn it as being too much effort for too little reward. A good self sorting mechanism. Plus, the homeless would be performing a useful function, of removing all those near-useless coins from our pockets. (I still think this is a good system, but it should probably be extended to include 10c and even 20c coins)

    -Then I started integrating feelings into the mix, and that just makes everything so much more complicated. You can help a person, give what you think is the golden goose of their salvation, and they will kill and eat that goose just to prove to themselves that they're not a charity case. It's so very frustrating, and it makes things exponentially harder. I hate the song and the dance that has to go with helping someone. Hate it hate hate it. But their doesn't seem much way around it.

    As for now, I don't know. I think if you're going to give money its better given in other ways, but a dollar here or there isn't going to make a difference either way, so you may as well give it. Ultimately like most I'm too small to have any real widescale impact, but if I focus my efforts I have a much better chance of any real change. Until then, I just give them a creepy smile and keep walking. Or on the rare days I'm carrying shrapnel I flick them a coin (mostly because it feels cool to flick a coin to someone)

    • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2019 - 15:50

      I'm carrying shrapnel I flick them a coin (mostly because it feels cool to flick a coin to someone)

      Even cooler to make it rain , Outlander :p Or doesn't that work with coins?

    • T1OOO on 18/07/2019 - 06:55

      Are u a writer ?

      After just the first 2 paragraphs I’d like to read more for pleasure and even willing to pay!

      Ps. I’ve read 1 book in all my life and still regret it to this day.

      • outlander on 20/07/2019 - 11:08

        No. I feel like to be a writer, you can't talk in bullet points. I'm more of an ideas man =)

        I do feel like how you get to a viewpoint is as valuable as the viewpoint itself, which is hard because every time you 'realize the truth' you tend to discard the previously held viewpoint as being garbage. Unfortunate, because they all hold little bits of value in different ways.

        Regarding the homeless, I think you can feel one way or the other about them, but what really gets me is the cost to fix it. You're not talking about half of the budget or even 10 percent to fix it. Its like <1%. It's such a small sum to get rid of the problem permanently. The government could fix it overnight if they wanted, but there's just no political capital to be gained by doing so, and a lot to lose, so it just keeps rolling on.

        non playing characters in this thing we call life

        Very astute. They do seem to get treated that way by most of society.

        I wouldn't mind if the government instituted a few video-game type mechanics into the mix. Like how in most video games, you have a starting room, and if anything happens you can always fall back to it. We should have that. It wouldn't have to be anything flash, but whatever problems you have, a good night sleep in a warm secure place makes everything so much easier to deal with.

    • T1OOO on 18/07/2019 - 07:06

      Read all of it. Yeah feel the same. Basically in a decade I’ll feel different too blaming society and government.

      The genuine ones arnt begging. They have either mental illness, alcohol problems, were victims of abuse, and have not really a high level of education nor intelligence. Most of the time it’s all of the above and much much worse. Usually doing stunts in jail and not able to get work even if they actually wanted it. Their victims of society really just like you and me but we weee smart enough to play the game.

      You will go from hating them to wanting to help depending on how ur work day was or argument u has with the missus. But end of the day nothing will change as we are even more trapped with more debt than them. Perhaps there’s something to be gained from them and if the worst that can happen is sleeping in the rain on a park bench is it that bad ? Bread is 85 cents a loaf. Could live of it for a week. So perhaps their tokens - non playing characters in this thing we call life with an escoteric meaning.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2019 - 15:55

    Wasn't there a thread on ozb where someone was having an affair with a homelessness person but refused to take her to his place? If I remember correctly, he was looking for suggestions for where they they could meet for their trysts and for a hot shower afterwards.

    Did that really happen or was that a figment of my magination?

  • bonking on 17/07/2019 - 16:36

    Couple weeks ago, I had someone asked for $15. I was just sat down and checking ozbargain when this teenage boy carrying rugby ball walked up to me and asked for $15.
    This was at the Harbourside Shopping centre.

    • Eeples on 17/07/2019 - 18:58

      League or union ‘rugby’ ball ?

  • Eeples on 17/07/2019 - 19:04
    +1

    I was asked by a couple of teenaged scraggs at Gosford NSW train station, ‘Hey you gotz 2 bucks?’
    I replied ‘No’ and the other one said, ‘yeahhhh suuure ya don’t’… followed by a slight farting noise.
    I kept walking.
    I knew they wouldn’t walk after me… they were sitting legs splayed, backs against a brick wall. And getting up would have taken an effort.

  • nikey2k27 on 18/07/2019 - 10:09

    No i had some ask me $10 for bus nar i drive you cheaper then $10 in end he want cask of wine so i got him that. next tell ture first.

  • Fier2 on 18/07/2019 - 10:10
    +2

    At cabramatta (NSW) the chicken shop (red lea chicken) opposite commonwealth bank are working with beggars. Basically you will have someone asking you for money, if you sayno, the person will say that they are just hungry and would like a piece of chicken. If you agree, the person will push and ask you 3 pieces of chicken ($3 each). Have to say, i fall for it as i couldn 't stand thinking another humanbeing was hungry and i thought as long as it s not for alcohol or drugs, i 'm happy to buy food for someone who said they haven't got anything in their stomach. So bought him 3 pieces ( he ordered it himself and i just hand the money to the girl, that s when i realised that was a bit of weird) . But then walk off to yifang . Whe my husband basically told me to look who is taking money out at commonwealth bank. 2 minutes after gettingme buying him chicken, the guy was at the atm getting some money out. Nonetheless to say i don't ever bother with people begging money or food anymore at cabramatta. I was a fool once but not twice.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2019 - 11:10

    I've only seen one guy with a tin in Perth south suburbs.

    Simple solution if they're agressive (replace repeated word with appropriate swear word), Look them in the eye and say "Pluck the pluck off".

    The guy I saw with the tin was a sweet cripple guy. I gave him $2 and wished him well.

    Guys don't take shi't from strays, I've been attacked and pushed by street people.

  • huit on 18/07/2019 - 11:36

    Simple solution - don't carry coins, any change you get put it in a jar and deposit it in a coin deposit ATM every quarter and have a "guess how much was in the jar" game with your partner or kids.

    That way you can honestly tell them you don't have change.

    …..or, you could just say "no" and walk away, like everyone else has suggested :)

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