Would you have given this guy any money?

[Pale Rider]

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?

 

[perplexed]

He'd have got nothing from me I'm afraid.

We have a couple of well known regulars to the courts in Sheffield who do this all the time. Smart dress, very plausible.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I'd have given him a tenner.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Isn't a Scottish tenner worth 20p in proper money?

Most likely, please send me any you happen to find.

 

[Markymark]

Most likely, please send me any you happen to find.

Nah, got a cold and I use them as tissues.

 

[Beebo]

The give away for me is him not offering any way to pay you back.
If i was in his shoes i would be bending over backwards to offer the money back, i'd give them a mobile number, anything to make sure the favour is returned.

 

[dst87]

He'd have got nothing from me. Mainly because I tend not to cary any cash on me (it's at least rare), but also because I'm very skeptical.

Then again I can imagine myself losing my wallet and phone - train tickets gone, credit/debit cards gone, no means of contact. I wonder what I'd do in that situation! Perhaps a bit of inexpensive charity is worthwhile.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

It's only £1.80, hardly worth fretting over.

 

[Pale Rider]

I was on my way to my local bike shop.

Telling the tale in there, the manager said they have had several similar requests over the years which they decline.

The exception is regular customers, a couple of which they have lent a few quid to.

Bikes and banking - that's what I call service.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

....and that's from a Scotsman

Ocht I give £2 to Big Issue sellers and tell them to keep the mag and sell it to someone else.

 

[Hyslop]

Isn't a Scottish tenner worth 20p in proper money?

I always thought so,I wasnt aware change was expected.Down the years,Cumbria has generally fostered the idea and,at the end of the year,divvied up the proceeds and had a big party.Ibelieve Dumfriesshire wisely also employs a "give us your soon to be worthless money-heres a lollipop in exchange"policy.

 

[Saluki]

I'd have given him the money too.
We gave a chap a fiver a few months ago. Very presentable and he needed £4 to top up his bus fare to Ipswich. Said he'd lost his wallet and phone. We were probably scammed but the chap seemed really grateful to us.

 

[Hyslop]

In serious vein,yes,Id have given.

 

[Scoosh]

Ocht I give £2 to Big Issue sellers and tell them to keep the mag and sell it to someone else.

Not done it for a while, though ?
From The Big Issue website

The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless and long-term unemployed people. Vendors buy copies for £1.25 and sell for £2.50. They are working, not begging.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Not done it for a while, though ?
From The Big Issue website

I never buy the ruddy thing so I have no need to know how much it actually is!!