talkmagic.co.uk

An interview on the Telegraph website.

I'm not sure I quite go along with his attitude to the homeless (actually, I'm 100 per cent sure that I don't), but it's mostly quite interesting stuff.

Excellent interview, but I agree with you about the homeless thing. I carry a pocket of change when I go into Manchester just to give out. It's all taxed, so I'll do what I like with it. I can easily get more money. They can't.

Homelessness is a touchy subject, and there are many factors. I do know that when I was homeless I did not beg, eventually found a flat and then got a job. It was a partucularly horrible time, but one I got through.

The problem these days, at least in Edinburgh, is that there are a lot of professional beggers who get the bus in from their homes. I remember one day waiting for a bus standing behind someone I'd seen begging half an hour before, still carrying his blanket on his mobile phone saying 'it was slow at first, then picked up. I'll be home in an hour'...

It's the old story of walking a mile in someone's shoes. I have, and to be honest I rarely give to beggers (although I do give food). I do, however, have a standing order to Shelter.

Take care, Ian

IanKendall wrote:I do, however, have a standing order to Shelter.

I think that this is the best solution.

Ted wrote:

IanKendall wrote:I do, however, have a standing order to Shelter.

I think that this is the best solution.

I agree. I just find it difficult when I walk past a person with nothing knowing that I won't miss a few bob. What crystallised my attitude was seeing a show a few years ago where a group of tribesmen from Borneo were brought to the UK to see what they thought of us as a society. Their comment about Manchester was that all have more than we need, so why do we not help the people with literally nothing living amongst us?

Makes yer fink, innit?

There are indeed a small percentage of people who pretend to be homeless and beg as a profession. They don't deserve your money since they are actually creating false competition for the genuinely homeless.

However the vast majority of homeless people you see in the street really ARE homeless and they do need help. It is very easy to say they should get a job etc; but would YOU employ them?

They suffer from mental illness, alcoholism and other things which cause them not to be able to help themselves. It really is a horrific problem. You only have to see them in their sleeping bags outside Davenports to get an idea of it. I used to know one of them very well............................

A lot of ex squaddies end up on the streets because they find it hard adjusting to civilian life after being in what is essentially an institution where all their day-to-day needs were taken care of. Worse if they have some sort of battle fatigue or delayed trauma syndrome. I don't see as many people living rough as I used to and I travel through London quite a lot.

I have some experience of Denmark where you don't get homeless as such. But there are hobos or what we used to call 'Gentlemen of the road'. They are more reactionaries against their total welfare state intervention where people are cared for from the cradle to the grave. They still drink to survive the life on the road but one weird thing is, they meet up once a year to vote in a king and queen of the hobos. It's almost a society within a society.

*Edited out some rude bits*

There is indeed a sort of community of homeless people and they all know each other. It helps them to survive knowing they are not alone. The trouble is that they often fight with each other. A bit like a magic club, come to think of it.

mark lewis wrote:A bit like a magic club, come to think of it.

I'd guess they are a little less catty, though

Less catty but alas more violent.

Well, I can't say I agree with the 'they should get off thier backsides' approach, but if I give anything I want to know what will be done with it. I don't want my money funding drug addictions- which, unfortunatley, it does happen.
I have refused to give change to a homeless person before, but I've bought cups of teas from the cafe or given them some food I have with me.

I don't think homeless people can afford to buy drugs but I may be wrong. They can certainly buy booze though and you may not want to fund that I suppose. But they still have to eat. And they will certainly use some of the money you give them to buy food.

I suppose we had better get back to talking about Paul Daniels now.