Comments on: “You’re not sorry”

By: DavidNcl

DavidNcl — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:49:18 +0000

For the most part they’re an organised ring of scammers. Don’t give them a penny.

For genuine beggars – if your moved (and I am not, five years as front line social worker) go buy them a sandwich. Or even a bottle.

Please, please don’t give them money.

By: thud

thud — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:51:33 +0000

I give nothing,nowt,sfa, bugger all,and I don’t feel a thing. I could say I refuse to support their drink,drug habits but it is mainly because I just don’t care.I choose my charities carefuly and feel happier in the knowledge that my money goes to those who do need my help.

By: Von Spreuth

Von Spreuth — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:19:27 +0000

We have similar here “Strassenfeger” and “Mötz”.

Up to two or three years ago, the sellers were a right mix of Germans, Turks (not many), and East Europeans.

NOW, however, I have not seen a German seller for at LEAST 18 months. They are ALL Turks. Plus, now, there is hardly a supermarket without one of these “Penner” standing outside.

Like “door-men” and “security” here, the whole kit and caboodle has been “organised” by a certain “interest group”.

By: Animated Fossil

Animated Fossil — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:40:31 +0000

I know that others weren’t blessed with the awesome set of genes that I have

Indeed.

I wasn’t aware that anyone bought the Big Issue because they really wanted the magazine.

By: measured

measured — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:34:48 +0000

You are right, BE. I am told they just change the cover but the content remains the same: I don’t know as I very rarely buy the BI. It is a worthy cause and I prefer the homeless to be selling than having to step over them in doorways, but I suspect sales are not the publisher’s principle funding source, as grants and advertising are more lucrative. However for the individual seller, sales are of prime importance and most have chips on their shoulders having fallen down the slippery slope of losing work, lacking money, breaking up relationships, possible substance abuse and subsequent poor health.

The most effective reward system is an intermittent one apparently, so once a year I will buy a BI from a disagreeable old man on a cold wet winter evening. If everyone did that, the sellers should be happy (estimating £10m revenue divided by 1,000 sellers gives £10k pa each). Everyone doesn’t though, but aka your post, that’s not my look out.

By: Bill Quango MP

Bill Quango MP — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:35:28 +0000

Last person I gave any money to was at Charing Cross. He had a sign that read ‘need money for booze fags drugs and sex’

Don’t we all, but he got some anyway.

By: electro-kevin

electro-kevin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:15:32 +0000

I did say to a beggar “See all this litter ? Pick it up, put it in that bin over there and I’ll give you a quid.”

“You’r ‘avin’ a larff in’tchya ???”

No I wasn’t ‘ ‘avin’ a larff ‘

By: Hogday

Hogday — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:59:12 +0000

Winchester City Council and the city’s Chamber of Commerce tried an interesting thing some years ago.The shops all got together and, supported by the Council, signed up to make regular donations to the towns charitable organisations that were specifically working for the homeless. Collection boxes, well secured, were placed outside the shops with notices thereon, explaining what the money was intended for. I have no idea if this is still in operation. Up here, in’t Poshnortherntown, most of our BI sellers are pretty much all polite. The one who ripped me off outside Leeds railway station isn’t one of them. When I didn’t get my BI from him (it was his last one and he was `desparate`)I politely explained that he had just pissed in his cornflakes as I was a regular train traveller and would have supported his sales. He couldn’t have cared less and neither could I.

By: MTG

MTG — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:55:50 +0000

The best we do is give a little small change to each of many worthwhile charities on the street. However I have never bought a Big Issue – and for reasons stated here I do not intend to acquire the habit.

When hassled for a pound simply ask “Is that the latest with the Nietzsche article” to which he unthinkingly responds ‘yes’ and is then clean bowled with “Oh, I have that one.”

By: asquith

asquith — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:54:08 +0000

Surely selling the Big Issue is a form of work? A bit of a useless one, but there you go. It’s still doing some kind of exertion.

The person who sells The Big Issue in Stoke city centre is the really hearty, boisterous sort. Anyone who refuses him is told “No worries!” in a really cheery voice & he generally comes across as the sort who’d slap you on the back & buy you a drink. But I always think he’s going to totally flip one day & go into a violent rage at passers-by.