Beggar off - take the burger or sling yer hook!

October 29th, 2007 Written by Biz

Most of us…ok then, all of us loath them…beggars! 

They come up to you demanding money and most of the time we have more than an inkling that as soon as we have dispensed our charitable contribution toward their wellbeing, they are liable to pop down to the local off license to get a four pack of Tennant’s Super. 

That being said, I do realise that due to circumstances some people DO fall on hard times and DO end up homeless and sometimes I DO give money out. I’m not a totally heartless bast*rd and having done my fair share of things that I now regret, I see odd acts of kindness and charity as a possible way of eventually making it past St Peter’s gates. 

So how do you differentiate between the worthy and un-worthy? Well, here are some people that I unashamedly give alms to:

• Sellers of the ‘Big Issue’…If they can be bothered to get up early, pay for their papers, stand out in all weathers and ‘work’ themselves out of their situation, then I can certainly be bothered to buy their publication. 
• Windscreen washers…once again, whatever you might think of them, whether they are dodgy Romanian’s or dodgy folk of the home-grown variety, at least they make some sort of effort to ‘earn’ their money. One thing’s for sure…I wouldn’t even get out of bed for the 50p that they charge for their service. 

There are, however, the more ‘traditional’ types of down and out’s…those that come to you and ask you for cash; for bus fares, food, electric money, a cup of tea etc, now until recently, these people got pretty short shrift from me, but of all things, my wife made me see a different perspective on these folk. 

This surprised me for two reasons; firstly, it’s the first sensible thing to have come out of her head for many a year and secondly, it is normally my good self that is eloquent in the ways of the world, whilst it is normally my good wife that is eloquent in folly. 

What happened was this; after being approached by a beggar asking for £2 to buy some food, she refused to give him cash, but told him that if he was genuinely hungry, she would happily buy him a McDonalds! Apparently, the chap’s face was a picture and he stammered a few words before departing… obviously not a real needy case. 

Over some weeks, this scenario was repeated about 10 times, until one day, the respondent’s face positively beamed with gratitude and he was duly treated to a McDonald’s meal. This chap and subsequent genuine people were all characterised by a genuine gratitude and appreciation for the free meal and to a man, impeccable manners toward my wife. I have, since that time, tried this approach myself and found the self same thing. 

If another human being is genuinely starving and asks me for some help, I will happily buy him some food. The next time that you are wondering whether an approaching beggar is genuine or not…why not try this method of sorting the wheat from the chaff…if the respondent declines your offer of food, then tell him to beggar off! 

 

Entry Filed under: Rants & Views