Random People Asking for Money

OnepunchDan on 13/07/2019 - 23:12
Last edited 14/07/2019 - 10:23 by 1 other user

Hey peeps,

Lately I’ve been exploring different parts of places around Melbourne such as the city and around my suburb. Not sure if the economy has anything to do with it but random people have been asking me for money.

Some of you may already know about the homeless people around the city begging for money or even just asking for donations but some of them have stepped up their game and confidence. I've had a lady go around asking for coins, and now surprisingly teenage girls around my suburb are randomly asking for some money( they are clearly not homeless). The girl ask for $4 when it was clear they don't need it. To make it more shady it was Already past 10:30pm at Maccas.

How would you respond to these types of request? Would you give in? Would you make sure they’re not trying to be shady or would you just reject them flat out or come up with an excuse?

Financial

Comments

      • tranter on 14/07/2019 - 09:08
        +5

        We all have different experiences I guess. I've never been abused by beggars in Melbourne CBD. Some are quite nice, and sometimes even say 'have a nice day' or something similar. Just as is the case in society in general, there are nice and not so nice people.

        I have witnessed abuse in the CBD, but it wasn't from a beggar.

        • bobbified on 14/07/2019 - 09:21
          +1

          You're right - I pretty much live on Swanston St (for non-Melb people, it's the main st in the CBD where they hang out), so I'd experience it more than normal.

          I have witnessed abuse in the CBD, but it wasn't from a beggar.

          This is most nights, but never involving myself! haha

    • trapper on 15/07/2019 - 13:13
      +2

      You don't need to apologise for not giving money to a stranger (who is probably going to use it on drugs anyway)

    • hopper on 16/07/2019 - 15:27

      i do one better. I just ignore them.

    • xmail on 16/07/2019 - 19:22

      What are you apologising for?
      For that matter, if you are acknowledging them and wasting your breath they have already taken from you.

    • wizzy on 17/07/2019 - 17:35

      I got chased by a woman yelling out "You blonde (profanity)" once when I didn't give her money. It only happened once though.

  • chumlee on 14/07/2019 - 07:28
    +12

    I just ask them if they have change for a $100 note

    • kahn on 14/07/2019 - 14:23
      +2

      Similar to the Andrew Dice Clay strategy of responding with "I only carry hundreds".

    • Antikythera on 15/07/2019 - 11:19
      +4

      we had an old bloke used to come into the pub. my boss was usually an easy touch for some money. one day the boss said "sorry only got $50". old beggar said "oh I've got change!". my boss called him Shifty from then on. he didn't like it that for years after the boss sold up and left the locals still called him Shifty.

    • ely on 20/07/2019 - 18:00

      I don't stop moving, and (truthfully) reply that I have no cash, on the rare occasion that someone actually asks me.

  • TheBilly on 14/07/2019 - 08:48
    +30

    I give a lot to local registered charities. I don't give to randoms on the street. If those randoms need help, seek it from the hundreds of charities doing great work in society.

    • Antikythera on 15/07/2019 - 11:20
      +12

      i pay my taxes. I don't give to randoms on the street. If those randoms need help, seek it from the appropriate government services.

      • tranter on 15/07/2019 - 11:48
        +5

        Your taxes aren't enough. The government would never be able to provide enough services to help everyone. Charities, community organisations and the hundreds of thousands of Australians that volunteer their time each year help fill the enormous gap.

        • infinite on 15/07/2019 - 13:54
          +3

          Not really, the number that actually volunteer for legit charity is minuscule. Most just help charateering and "awareness" companies make big money via a tax free business operations, in return for imaginary progressive points on social media. The people running the companies then pay themselves huge amounts and occasionally donate some of those proceeds to friends who run other similar organisations in the name of charity, but whom also just do the same.

          Ultimately all the people really needing help end up getting it from the taxpayer & those that don't get it, often just miss out because of those who make a lifestyle out of poor life choices and 5-year art's degree's being able to leech off the govt's teet.

          • tranter on 15/07/2019 - 14:19
            +1

            @infinite: We'll have to agree to disagree. The value to economy is huge. The figures are easy to find with a little research.

            • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 13:16

              @tranter: What value to economy? They're not producing anything of value. All they do is churn the money.

        • useruser on 15/07/2019 - 14:11
          +1

          "The government would never provide services to help everyone" - because they're too busy lining their pockets!

          • tranter on 15/07/2019 - 14:20
            +6

            @useruser: Yes. They are also very inefficient. Some of the best work is done by grass roots and community organisations.

            Volunteering has other benefits than just helping those in need and the contribution it makes to the economy. There are health benefits and it also promotes community cohesion.

            Even some of the larger charities are extremely inefficient. There is so much politics going on within and ultimately those with the most need are the ones that miss out.

        • kiteo on 19/07/2019 - 11:33

          Lol if someone would actually properly support me to find employment with my disabilities, maybe I could. However, years of living at the bottom of a dysfunctional society have taken their health toll. Your worldview is so simplistic.

          • HighAndDry on 19/07/2019 - 16:40
            +1

            @kiteo: I'm sorry to say this, but no one is obligated to "support" anyone else. We're born with our lot in life and we're responsible for supporting ourselves. It has always been thus and it will always be thus.

      • SlavOz on 20/07/2019 - 11:18
        +1

        Blah, government services are sh*t. They'll probably use your taxes to give it to working class women who claim life is unfair despite having every privilege imaginable because some old data shows their entire gender earns less than the other : P

        Seriously though, if one wants to truly help people, paying taxes ain't gonna cut it.

  • altomic on 14/07/2019 - 08:56
    +12

    doesn't sound random at all.

    they are clearly government espionage officers monitoring you.

    don't speak to them because, using their hidden recording devices, they will try to record your voice to obtain your vocal print.

    always wear dark sunglass so their hidden cameras will try to obtain your retina prints.

    always wear random shades of facial foundation (think Gotye) so they cant obtain the curve of your face for pattern recognition.

    they will follow you. so always wear gloves so they can't obtain fingerprints when you touch things - e.g. open doors, from a wine glass at a wineglass.

    you can not be overly cautious

  • Gotchas on 14/07/2019 - 09:27

    Tell them that you cant give them any money since you don’t want them to get used to depending on others. It’s for their own good.

    People should hand out a few meters of fishing line instead of money so they can go and learn to be self sufficient

    • pistachio1 on 14/07/2019 - 12:39
      +9

      Okay, but you really don't need to be a w*nker in response to them. Just say "no, sorry" in a polite voice then keep moving on. If you stop and spout crap like "no, you can't learn to depend on others, blah blah blah," you're gonna have a bad time. Most of them are cheeky buggers who don't need the money and are scamming, but some of them are genuinly homeless. But it's not up to you to give a lecture on the street, even just for your own safety. If you're a prick then there's a good chance for them to target you. If you're polite but firm in your "no" then you're instantly forgettable.

      • infinite on 15/07/2019 - 13:57
        +2

        Or you could grow a pair and stand up for yourself, reminding them that if they don't want a lecture, don't be an (profanity) by breaking the law and scamming people for their actually hard earned money in the first place.

        • greatlamp on 15/07/2019 - 20:51

          What if they aren't scammers and actually homeless.

          And mentally ill

          And prone to violence

          I don't like being hassled everywhere in the CBD. If I give money I am encouraging that behavior.

          Better to give to St. Vincent De Paul charity. Let them decide who is genuine

          • Name on 15/07/2019 - 22:27

            @greatlamp: Exactly!

            Getting sick of people saying "stand up for yourself". In this day and age you're likely to get stabbed or shot by some ice addict thug.

            Prefer to just say nah, sorry mate and move on and if they're aggressive, try to eject myself from the situation using words. Guess what. Never been in a fight or been punched, I'm 40.

      • Gotchas on 15/07/2019 - 16:19

        Thanks Dad

        Was a bit of tongue and cheek comment

        As if I’m going to start lecturing a homeless guy

  • Baysew on 14/07/2019 - 09:36
    +21

    Probably not the homeless people -

    Chinese beggars revealed to be professional after police crackdown

    • FilePeter on 15/07/2019 - 12:19
      +14

      Cut out the middle man and just give them a tin of baby formula.

    • hey aj on 17/07/2019 - 12:16

      Incredible.

  • p1 ama on 14/07/2019 - 10:38

    How would you respond to these types of request? Would you give in? Would you make sure they’re not trying to be shady or would you just reject them flat out or come up with an excuse?

    Just respond "no, sorry" and move on. Don't be confrontational and they'll leave you alone and move to the next target.

  • c64 on 14/07/2019 - 11:13
    +4

    begging is quite lucrative. i remember it was reported in the courier mail, about 10 years ago, a beggar in brisbane was pulling in $50k/year.

    gofundme accounts are much easier nowadays?

    • DoctorCalculon on 14/07/2019 - 19:56
      +6

      a beggar in brisbane was pulling in $50k/year.

      All tax free, baby!

    • KBZ on 15/07/2019 - 10:49
      +2

      @Folau

    • macrocephalic on 15/07/2019 - 23:27

      I wonder what the truth was then.

  • Melb69 on 14/07/2019 - 11:15
    +12

    This is a great post. Most of the time I just say sorry, no I don't have anything. The other day I was at a bakery waiting to get served and this guy asked the guy behind me for money he declined. Then he asked me and I just said I'm getting my lunch. Should have been clear to him. No. He waited. Then he asked again if he could have any money. I said what for. He said a pie. I said ok. Guy had cheek to then asked shop keeper for a drink as well. Then the guy behind felt sorry I think and gave him some change which he bought some sauce. After all that not even a thank you from him. It's fine to be taken advantage of if you really need the food, but gee you might as well also ask for the his lunches for the week. But you all know what I mean. I'm trying to be nice, but its not returned. Just don't do it.

    I always generally decline or ask what they want it for. If its for a bus ticket. I say ok lets go to the bus stop and I'll pay the bus driver for the ticket. That usually ends the conversation.

    Or if they ask for food. Thats when I tend to help. As above I would go and get them food.

    I don't want them to use it on drugs or smokes or alcohol.

    You don't want to be giving out your hard earned cash to every stranger. From now on I will now say 'I dont know you and dont give out money to strangers'.

    As for teenagers. Smokes or alcohol is likely what they want the money for.
    I know peoplg give our 20s 50s. I'm happy to help as long as its for a real reason. Life is hard enough as it is on a day to day basis.

    • kahn on 14/07/2019 - 14:21
      +5

      Hi Dedbny, can I have some money? It's for bargains. Pass this request on to those peoplg you know.

      • Melb69 on 14/07/2019 - 16:41
        +8

        @kahn 'Sorry I don't know you and don't give out money to strangers' However, I know a good bargain site if you want to save some money. If you give me a fiver ill tell you what it is.

        • luffyex2010 on 15/07/2019 - 12:23
          +1

          Dayum! love the counter😄

    • trapper on 15/07/2019 - 13:15
      +5

      They need food from you so they can spend the money someone else gave them on drugs.

  • Illian on 14/07/2019 - 14:31
    +6

    I just say no. I've never used cash anyway and certainly don't keep any on me. A stranger approaching me like that is also very uncomfortable, particularly in the city where there are obviously wealthy people everywhere so why single me out when I'm clearly not? One of them just wouldn't leave it alone and even said there's an ATM around the corner after I stated I don't use cash, I just had to say I'm first world poor, which got a snide remark but at least they left. It may sound a little callous but the least they could do is learn some skills such as busking or caricature to make donating more appealing.

    • derrida derider on 20/07/2019 - 19:54

      "in the city where there are obviously wealthy people everywhere so why single me out when I'm clearly not?"

      Because they know the "obviously wealthy" did not get that way by giving it away. If you've ever been a volunteer for the Red Shield Apeeal or similar you'd know that it's actually the bogans and housos who are the most generous.

      • HighAndDry on 22/07/2019 - 10:54

        Or the rich have more organised forms of donating that don't involve giving to door-knock or on-the-street efforts…

  • brendanm on 14/07/2019 - 18:00
    +3

    Have a look on GoFundMe, that's where all the beggars are nowadays. Have seen some rippers on there.

    • peacenik on 16/07/2019 - 10:58
      -1

      haha! Like millionaire homophobes!

  • TheBooleanOne on 14/07/2019 - 19:24

    I've watched a guy beg along George St in Sydney once, and from a distance I noticed someone giving him a coin or two. Anyway, he gets up and walks a few doors down straight into the TAB.

    I've been asked a few times myself, and my response has always been that I'll buy whatever they said they needed it for. Once was a train ticket, and so I said I'll walk over to the station with them. They declined of course. Another was asking for money for a hostel, and he too declined my offer to buy it for them.

  • DoctorCalculon on 14/07/2019 - 19:55

    Just tell them in this digital era you don't believe in carrying cash or coins. Apple Pay or GTFO!

    • Melb69 on 15/07/2019 - 12:51

      Then they pull out their Fpos machine and say is that 50 or 100 you want to give me.

      • vicerum on 17/07/2019 - 00:38
        +1

        Fpos machine

        Jesus christ…

  • Love a bargain on 14/07/2019 - 20:05
    +2

    Someone asked me for money while I was shopping in a supermarket once. I said "sorry no" as usual. Then instead of leaving me alone, he went on to argue that "but you're shopping". WTF! I was shopping for myself, not to feed everyone else that comes along. Told him to get loss of cos

    • CharityCase on 17/07/2019 - 12:27

      "Sorry I no speak English"

  • LikeMike on 14/07/2019 - 22:02
    +30

    I can usually tell when someone is about to ask for money so I quickly ask them for a dollar first. Even better when you have seen them just get money from someone else and so you know they have some to give to you. The shocked look they have from being asked for money is classic.

    • Melb69 on 15/07/2019 - 12:53
      +1

      Gold. Now I just have to remeber to do the same thing.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2019 - 00:15
    +3

    Just shut them down quickly, sorry no. No smile and no eye contact. If they try to persist ignore and/or tell them no firmly and abruptly.

    Do not fall for foot in the door technique ie beggars asking for time or directions. It is just an opening to ask for a bigger favour ie money. Don’t give them any opportunity to engage you, respond same as above.

    • baskinghobo on 15/07/2019 - 21:54
      +3

      You have to be careful when ignoring people for innocent questions though. One time I had a bogan looking lady signalling at me and walking up to my car and I was about to drive past when she yelled out so I stopped. Then I found out she was security for the park (usually there isn't one but there was a concert nearby) and I said sorry I thought you were a … before I bit my tongue.

  • tallkid123 on 15/07/2019 - 08:34
    +4

    The last time I ever gave a random money was to help pay a guy with downs syndrome's bus fare. He didn't have the correct amount so I topped it off.

    (Then he tried pulling the same stunt off next week and I simply said 'Never again'.)

    • HighAndDry on 15/07/2019 - 12:03
      +3

      Been scammed like this too. Gave a woman at a servo some money for petrol (yes I know, classic scam, should've known better). Next week, EXACT SAME WOMAN WITH EXACT SAME STORY. Never again.

      • tallkid123 on 15/07/2019 - 13:52
        +1

        Did she have downs syndrome though?

        • HighAndDry on 15/07/2019 - 13:54
          +1

          True, she at least didn't abuse a disability, though she did mention having a kid in the car she was pointing to.

          Still - I think there's this public perception that if a person has a disability, they can't also be dodgy.

  • DiscoJango on 15/07/2019 - 10:36
    +3

    go watch a certain scene in the movie "Airplane!" when the pilot walks through the airport. this is how you deal with beggers :D

  • KBZ on 15/07/2019 - 10:51

    Pretend you can't speak English. Works everytime.

  • idonotknowwhy on 15/07/2019 - 10:53
    +3

    "Go Fund Yourself"

  • HighAndDry on 15/07/2019 - 12:03

    How would you respond to these types of request?

    "No."

  • sleet on 15/07/2019 - 12:08
    +5

    Beggar: Can you spare some change?
    Me: Only got a $50?
    Beggar: Oh, I got change for that
    Me: Oh that works out, you don't need me then

    I don't give to beggars. We live in a very good society, that provides a whole host of humanitarian aid. There is an old lady with a walker at Sydney Hyde park every day. I would be surprised if she was not on any government handout and ontop is getting money, tax free from the generous.

    I like to donate to causes/charity/research, personally.

  • luffyex2010 on 15/07/2019 - 12:10
    +11

    I offered my maccas meal to a homeless man once and with a sour face he said no thanks.

    @_@ I guess he is more health conscious than me.

    • tranter on 15/07/2019 - 13:15
      +2

      That's totally understandable considering it's maccas.

      Now and then I eat there just out of convenience and price, but every time I end up regretting it and ask myself 'what is it I just ate?'.

      • HighAndDry on 15/07/2019 - 13:54
        +1

        Eh. If you're not hungry enough that you're turning down free food, you shouldn't be begging for it yet.

        • macrocephalic on 16/07/2019 - 11:32

          Perhaps he had already eaten, but needed money for something else.

          • HighAndDry on 16/07/2019 - 11:53
            +1

            @macrocephalic: If you're begging for money, it'd better be for food because you're hungry.

            • macrocephalic on 17/07/2019 - 10:57
              -1

              @HighAndDry: So you can't beg for money for clothes, or hygiene products, or somewhere to sleep or something to sleep in? Food is literally the only thing that someone could possibly need to survive in Melbourne in winter, is it?

              • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 10:59

                @macrocephalic: The only thing? No. The only thing you should be begging on the street for. There are charities that'll provide you with all the other necessities which you don't need to re-buy everyday unlike food.

                • macrocephalic on 17/07/2019 - 12:10

                  @HighAndDry: If these people could make use of the charities, budget their money, deal with the government, and keep their belongings safe, then they wouldn't need to beg (which is the ideal). It seems that, for one reason or other a lot of people can't do those things - and that's how they're out on the streets.

                  I think begging for money is just as valid as begging for food.

                  • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 12:23

                    @macrocephalic:

                    If these people could make use of the charities, budget their money, deal with the government, and keep their belongings safe

                    They don't need to be able to do all these things, literally just turn up to a charity. There's no shortage of clothes or hygiene products that the charities handout. Food is usually the only problematic problem due to it being perishable and needing to be stored, and it being needed everyday.

                    I think begging for money is just as valid as begging for food.

                    To each their own I guess.

                  • derrida derider on 20/07/2019 - 20:06

                    @macrocephalic: Yes, this is the point.A lot of people are simply not capable of doing what it takes to thrive in this society.

                    When you think about it dealing competently with complete strangers (rather than either running away or killing them), organising resources for the future and even reading and writing are all deeply unnatural skills, requiring years and years of training. They weren't skills we evolved while we were hunting and gathering on the African plains. It's not surprising that some people never master them.

                    There but for the grace of God ….

  • Furious D on 15/07/2019 - 12:15
    +2

    In the past if someone genuinely looks homeless, I've said "I won't give you money, but I'm going to Maccas - can I get you something?". I had one guy take me up on it, and we had a good chat in the end. This was in Glasgow, where a lot of them need money for heroin.

    • luffyex2010 on 15/07/2019 - 12:19

      I guess Sydney homeless are at a different level as I once saw a homeless guy holding a box of beer (like the 24 cans size) @ Sydney CBD.

      • kolorijo on 15/07/2019 - 15:09
        +1

        he was dressed up as homeless going to a Halloween party

      • Never Pay RRP on 17/07/2019 - 01:12

        Was he actually begging for money?
        Don't really have a problem with homeless people unless they are being a nuisance somehow…

        • HighAndDry on 17/07/2019 - 10:59

          Hahaha I have looked like a hobo more than a few times during uni when just popping down the street for some drinks….

  • Cluster on 15/07/2019 - 12:33
    +1

    There are a couple of homeless people I pass semi regularly in the city. They both have the angle of being 'buskers' by beating a little drum randomly. But what annoys me is they have the money for cigarettes. The cheapest sticks today cost over a dollar and are consumed within a minute or two, yet these beggars have the cash for them. Maybe they're using illegal tax free tobacco to save money? That doesn't make it right, and doesn't change the image that the guy could be blowing $40 per day on discretionary spending.

    • luffyex2010 on 15/07/2019 - 13:34
      +4

      Actually, the reality is addiction has a stronger driven force than starvation. (satisfaction level is higher than starvation/mental satisfaction stronger than the body needs)
      This case the homeless person would rather use his money to buy ciggies than to have a nice meal.

      I know this because I have witnessed it many times, plus I am a victim to tell the tale.
      (saving money and skipping meals just to buy video games when I was younger lol and not proud of it~ don't do it kids not worth it)

      Addiction comes in many forms ~ food, losing weight, gambling, gaming, sex, entertainment of all forms, shopping, new tech, mobile and etc.
      I can see a lot of youth in Sydney splash money on fancy cars, clothes, gadget but do they really need it? or can they actually afford it? time will tell when the recession hits.

      Guess we are all victims of some sort of material/mental satisfaction in this generation *This could be a topic by its own but oops

      • HighAndDry on 15/07/2019 - 13:56
        +2

        Actually, the reality is addiction has a stronger driven force than starvation.

        Leads back to the same conclusion though:

        "They have discretionary spending so we shouldn't give them money" has the same conclusion as "they'll only use it to feed an unhealthy addiction so we shouldn't give them money."

        In the end, the correct choice is still not to give them money.

        • luffyex2010 on 15/07/2019 - 14:02
          +1

          That's true as it's like funding their addiction lol

      • Never Pay RRP on 17/07/2019 - 01:16

        Skipping a meal isn't really comparable to starvation. I strongly doubt that anyone would spend money to buy cigarettes if they hadn't eaten for a week

  • ahly92 on 15/07/2019 - 13:18
    +7

    Was at Hungry Jacks last week when a young kid walked up asking for some coins, I told him I don't have any, he said that's fine i can pay for his lunch using my phone, I proceeded to show him my phone with the Free Large Coke and said "I only came here for the free drink, if I had money I would have bought meself a snack"…he looked at me, said I was a tightarse and walked off lol

    • HighAndDry on 15/07/2019 - 13:57
      +6

      I told him I don't have any, he said that's fine i can pay for his lunch using my phone, I proceeded to show him my phone with the Free Large Coke

      Honestly it's a shame people feel like they have to 'prove' they can't afford to give out a freebie in order to just say no.

      • Love a bargain on 15/07/2019 - 15:39
        +9

        Why do some of those beggars think they are entitled to a piece of someone else's hard earn cash? People are entitled to say no regardless of how much money they've got. Otherwise, I should demand some random billionaires their spare hundreds/ thousands and I'll soon have a fully-paid off property in Sydney.

      • ahly92 on 15/07/2019 - 16:13

        I was willing ti give buy him, however, he looked like the topical school bludger that tags on trains and smokes (branded clothing and a Nike hip-pack that sure had either cigs or money lol)

        • HighAndDry on 15/07/2019 - 17:42
          +3

          Ah gotcha. Yeah - even though I'm generally against giving people money, I have and still do sometimes (to my somewhat embarrassment because I really should know better, even if it's giving the same money to Salvos or another charity). But I've gotten into conversations with homeless folks while waiting for the bus late at night, and some of them do have really sad stories where they're homeless because of mental illness or some other thing and it can't (or can't to me) really be faked.

        • Never Pay RRP on 17/07/2019 - 01:22

          You should have said you'd buy him lunch in exchange for his hip pack, then when he refused, called him a tightarse.

          I'm so old I didn't even know what a hip pack was 🙁

    • ahly92 on 15/07/2019 - 16:11

      edit

  • OzBestDeal on 15/07/2019 - 13:31
    +1

    Similar thing for people that cleaning car windows at intersections
    Some of them insist on cleaning it even though I gave them hand signal to say no
    I usually just give them another hand signal after they finished cleaning and they just moved on to the next car

    • infinite on 15/07/2019 - 14:05

      Those assholes have pushed it up a notch and are now camping themselves in Petrol Stations. They start "cleaning" shite all over your windows while your paying for petrol inside and then demand "payment" as you get back to your car.

      • OzBestDeal on 15/07/2019 - 14:33

        Damn, I never meet any of these on petrol stations. But yeh, that would pissed me off.

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