Would you have given this guy any money?

[Globalti]

I've been scammed twice by smartly-dressed people; one was an elderly English lady who hangs around hotel lobbies in Budapest and scams a few Forint off people saying that she's lost her purse, the other was the infamous scammer Andrew Graydon who got me at Milan airport. Both were ultra-plausible and seemed completely honest. I will never give money away again, or not without getting something in collateral.

 

[swee'pea99]

Have to confess my stock response to pretty much anyone asking me for money is 'No, sorry' and walk on. I don't even have to think about it; it's Pavlovian. Comes from thirty years of both living and working in places where beggars and chuggers are almost queuing up.

 

[Pale Rider]

Perhaps I should walk the same street again and see if my 'friend' is still collecting.

 

[spen666]

To all of those who say they give to beggars / people with sob story etc.

Can You lend me £5 for the bus fare home please. Please send yuor donations direct to my bank account in Geneva - the one run by HSBC

God bless you Guvnor

 

[Tin Pot]

Trudging along the High Street today I was approached by a man who wanted money.

He asked for £1.80 to get to a town about five miles away - presumably he was after the bus fare.

He was middle aged, reasonably smart, and spoke with a local accent.

No sign of intoxication or drug abuse.

I thought about asking for a story, but decided it was either a 'yes' or 'no' situation.

Decision swiftly made, I gave him £2 - I had no smaller change.

He took the money, made a remark about there not being many decent people about, and walked off.

No mention of repayment.

I am cynical, and fully accept he may have been collecting money to buy some cans, cigarettes or for any other purpose.

But he appeared genuine.

What would you have done?

Nope.

They always ask for odd amounts so that in "generosity" you give them the higher round amount.

This will make you feel good, and so increases the chances you will give them money.

 

[Tin Pot]

Perhaps I should walk the same street again and see if my 'friend' is still collecting.

He will have moved on.

 

[Tin Pot]

The couple of pounds for fuel is a well known thing in motorway services. They will actually write down your reg number (when they think you're not looking) in their little book.

I did it in my local garage too - left my wallet at home. They made me fill a form out.

 

[Tin Pot]

How long before beggars have little contactless credit card readers - just a tap to donate £2!

To be fair, it's the best chance of getting money from me! Ditto Big Issue sellers - I'd buy the mag, but I never have cash!

The first "PayWave" beggar I meet will get a few quid for the entertainment factor.

 

[luckyfox]

Rarely have change... but if someone is in need giving without a detriment to myself is always good karma

I'm just going to sit right up here on the fence...you carry on...

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Nope.

They always ask for odd amounts so that in "generosity" you give them the higher round amount.

This will make you feel good, and so increases the chances you will give them money.

Which is ok until you know exactly what the fare is, it is an odd amount (as these things usually are) and you want it and nothing else just to get home. I get what you are saying though.

Rarely have change... but if someone is in need giving without a detriment to myself is always good karma

I'm just going to sit right up here on the fence...you carry on...

Yes if it is of no detriment to me, who cares?

 

[luckyfox]

Yes if it is of no detriment to me, who cares?

Read that twice..not sure what you mean..?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Read that twice..not sure what you mean..?

If I have money and giving a small amount isn't of detriment to me, who cares what the recipient does with it?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Actually, that last bit sounds wrong, of course I care what they do with the money, but there is only so much you can do about it anyway.

 

[luckyfox]

of course I care what they do with the money

What if they went and bought a massive ice cream from Thorntons with it...

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

A common one I hear (or at least used to) is homeless people asking for money so they can sleep in a hostel tonight.

Now, clearly I don't know if they already have the money and all (for that night at least - it is an ongoing thing after all), but clearly, something so basic as having somewhere to sleep is a much more worthy cause than some of the other things I hear, especially when it is something I take so much for granted myself.