Dial Emma of a humanitarian type.

[PaulB]

Right, this is genuine and I'm sounding out views.

Yesterday, I went to our garden shed for a spade to clear the snow off the drive. I out the spade back, locked the shed and put the key in its usual place.

Early this morning, 5.35, I was getting in to my car for the longish drive to Hull RI when I heard a door closing from the other side of the fence. On inspection, it was revealed that the shed door was open. I didn't have much time to inspect things because I was in a bit of a rush to get to Hull but a cursory glance seemed to show everything was present. It was windy last night and the shed door banging in the wind would certainly have woken us so it was definitely closed so what had happened?

A local neighbour told us that there is a local down-and-out who needs somewhere out of the wind to sleep in this bitter winter and sometimes uses sheds. He's a decent sort of chap, apparently and had certainly not caused any damage or stolen anything so we have a dilemma. My caring, nursey wife wants me to put a note on the shed asking him, if he comes back tonight, to knock on the door and he'll receive a good welcome, a hot meal and a warm bed. I'm a bit more cautious and the most I'll do is to leave a plate of sandwiches and a blanket for the guy.

What would you do in these circumstances?

 

[Sandra6]

Leave a blanket and maybe a flask of something hot, but definitely not invite him in.

 

[Beebo]

Food, tea, blanket in the shed, you will have done more than 99%.

 

[Silver Fox]

If you leave food and a blanket you better buy a bigger shed for his mates who'll want some.

 

[ianrauk]

If he does stay, you ahd better stock up on the scabies, flea and nit creams.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Food, tea, blanket in the shed, you will have done more than 99%.

^^+1 if you have some old clothes you don't need, I would leave those out for him as well.
If he has slept there already, then don't assume the worst if nothing is missing/damaged.

 

[PaulB]

If he does stay, you ahd better stock up on the scabies, flea and nit creams.

He'll have to bring his own supply. And on closer questioning, the indoor bed was never on her agenda. An inflatable with pump will be placed in the shed is how she remembers it.

 

[EltonFrog]

Tell him to piss off, or you'll call the police.

 

[i hate hills]

Tea sannies and old clothes in shed mate.

 

[Moodyman]

I'd certainly feel uneasy about a stranger in my house but on a short term basis I'd do the blanket food thing in the shed. Longer term I'd look to helping them get shelter assistance from the local authority

 

[subaqua]

I have posted my doings on here before about the local "tramp" where i grew up - Roger was his name. . your wife is a decent person , you should be rightly proud of her

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'd let my wife make the decision for us, support her in that, and deal with any consequences arising be they -ve or +ve

 

[fossyant]

So long as the shed did not have bikes in it.

We live where most folk are out all day so no one sees anything which is a shame

 

[Stephenite]

To be fair - you don't know the bloke. Inviting him into your home for the night will probably keep you awake all night. Lice and fleas are definitely a worry to be taken seriously. Let him use the shed. He'll be happier there, anyway. If he wanted to live in a house he would do. He doesn't want to be bothered by you or your wife. He doesn't have mates. He is trying his best to escape society. Give him ham or beef sandwiches if you want to treat him. If you want to do something more be prepared for a long haul.

 

[Matthew_T]

If I was living on my own I would probably welcome the guy to stay and then help him get on his feet. However, if I had family in the house then I would probably feed him and let him stay one night if the weather was bad. I wouldnt want a strange homeless person living around my family.
He might be a decent enough bloke but you can never be sure nowadays.