Comments on: On Being Homeless for 35 Minutes in Central London

By: xenchik

xenchik — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:00:13 +0000

you know what’s ironic … if you’d given the 10 pounds, and then he’d asked you for another 10, it would have been a generous act and you would have felt warm and fuzzy. the problem was that you freely gave 10 pounds and he stole the other 10 from you.

that’s what makes one feel cheated – not that we are asked for the resources we have, but that people feel the need to rip us off for stuff we might have given freely had we been asked.

also, @she menick, many many people would be interested in your story. start a blog, write a series in a magazine, write a book. millions of people will want to hear your story. it sounds really, really inspiring.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:04:19 +0000

Interesting story, nicely written. John’s situation is sad but he basically robbed you, and took advantage of your interest. He probably thought you were some dumb Yank kid to rip off. These people tell you what you want to hear. I’ve met a few. I don’t bother with them now. There’s very little in it. And who wants to hear about their shitty lives anyway? Got my own shitty life to deal with.

By: mumu

mumu — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:49:54 +0000

“I hope you enjoyed the hot chocolate that I imagined my money being spent on.”

Unlikely, he was probably satisfied with skag.

By: She Menick

She Menick — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:48:40 +0000

I have found myself on both sides. I had it and gave not conserned about what the money was used for. it was need vs. want. it made me feel a little better about myself. then I became homeless. but I kept my needs small. did not smoke, drink, or use drugs. nor did I steal or beg or prostitute myself. I bathed and groomed and kept up my appearences like I always did. I lived in shelters. accepted food where food was offered. and made friends with all kinds of interesting people. I found out that being homeless wasn’t as hard as being abused. I wish I could write about some of the things I’ve been through. but I can’t expect it to matter to anyone except me.

By: Drake

Drake — Sat, 30 May 2009 06:10:05 +0000

I agree with Kaye. In the US, you can’t be sure that the person is even genuinely homeless. I’ve donated cash, booze, food, and cigarettes before, all to different responses. I’ve also been homeless before for months at the age of 19. It’s a scary place, and a lot of times, desperate, but I managed to escape the common traps thanks to friends. I just generally never carry cash, because most places don’t demand paper $ anymore… Strip club? Farmer’s Market? Laundromat? OK- get cash for that… Count yourself lucky you only lost $30. That’s a used video game or a decent bottle of vodka… i.e.. not much at all.

By: Kaye

Kaye — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:35:34 +0000

Not all people who panhandle are homeless. Many are scam artists, sorry but it is true. In Memphis, there are the same panhandlers in the same locations every day, especially around the tourist areas. If you truly want to help the homeless, don’t give on the street, give to an established charity.

By: rare earth

rare earth — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:46:07 +0000

I once went through a similar situation. I am currently in college. receiving financial aid and working part time. One day after dropping off my girlfriend at her house i had to withdraw money. I went to ATM (its roughly 11 30pm about now) and out of the corner of my eye i see a dark figure outside, I could only think that I was to be assaulted as i opened the doors. I walked out and the figure apporached me and started telling about his situation and how he wanted three dollars. All i had was a twenty in my wallet. his story was believable but his crying made me doubt the whole thing. I said, “hey man, i dont know if what you are saying is true but take this” I gave him my twenty and he said, ” This is a blessing” he raaaaan off. im not wealthy, far from it, but a week before i gave 5 dollars to another bum and we talked and he thanked me and my parents for having raised me so well. In comparison to that, i felt some regret, but I hoped he got the most out of my spontaneous charity.

By: SayBlade

SayBlade — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:12:42 +0000

“You never know if they’ll use it to buy booze, drugs or whatever.” It is said by many who do not give to people on the street.

You can decide not to give anything and no one will think less of you for not doing it. The problem comes when you make judgments about how people will spend that money if you do decide to give it.

Perhaps we shouldn’t pay people who work in all forms of paid employment since employees and management staff might use it to buy booze, drugs or whatever. The panhandler, squeegee kid or beggar on the street works hard for the money they are given too. Begging is hard work and is done in all kinds of weather.

So, once you have given someone money, you have no right to judge them on their purchases.

By: Kr

Kr — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:11:08 +0000

I had a similar thing happen to me, you dealt with it very well. Keep up the good blog work

By: "Birdie"

"Birdie" — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:56:33 +0000

After being homeless myself for about 3 months, I can appreciate how upsetting it was for you is to be hustled. It was wonderful for you to help someone. I wouldn’t be with a roof over my head if it hadn’t been for people like you and government assistance. We all need to believe in people too, and take a chance sometime.

None of us like to be tricked. Personally I hate the games people play. So many know how to turn our niceness into a weakness, although I will still try to trust. Your friend is right to tell you, if you give money, never expect it back. Somehow, you will get it back. You just need to realize that when something good happens to you in life, it is that payback for your generosity.

We are all blessed, but few know real gratitude for the simple things in life. We all learn from others. Perhaps you have lost trust, but know in your heart that the person who scammed you probably needed it more than you did.

I hope that this one incident won’t turn you against homelessness. Kindness and generosity I found in Church basements at night where shelter was available along with a hot meal meant more than you know. Perhaps I can suggest you do what they did in the Churches——give someone a gift card to McDonalds or somewhere. That way an amount is predetermined by you…..or even a bus or train voucher means so much when you are really desperate.

Your compassionate side is a beautiful thing…..God Bless you.