Should anyone truely be homeless? - Page 2

WillowTheWhisp · 03-03-2007, 08:30

Does anybody know what the situation is with Big Issue sellers? There seems to be a majority of Romanianish region type people selling them now. I have noticed that people don't stay selling it forever so presumably that gets them a foot on the rung and they move on to better things.

SimonGudgeon · 03-03-2007, 13:01

I don't really believe there's an excuse for homelessness in this day an age. What I mean is there should be adequet safety nets to help people hard on their luck.
Some people have addictions and mental health problems so they need extra care and help to get their life back on track. I don't want to see despair and feel pity when I walk down the street in town.

garinda · 03-03-2007, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonGudgeon

What I mean is there should be adequet safety nets to help people hard on their luck.

The safety net got a lot smaller under Thatcher, when a lot of homes for those with mental health issues were removed from their long term placements, when the various hospitals were closed down, and were then left to fend for themselves, supposedly assisted by 'care in the community' programmes, through which the holes in the safety net are massive enough for all but the most determined to fall through.

chav1 · 03-03-2007, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Does anybody know what the situation is with Big Issue sellers? There seems to be a majority of Romanianish region type people selling them now. I have noticed that people don't stay selling it forever so presumably that gets them a foot on the rung and they move on to better things.

yes its a way for somone to make money

i saw a program called skint where they followed a man around who was on teh dole seeing how he coped

the guy would salvage what got left behind after car boot sales and sell what he got teh week after in his own stall

the other way he made money was to buy copies of the big issue from their distributors and then sell them at a proffit in town just like the people you see down accy, teh big issue gets its money gurenteed up front but teh poor sod who buys them has to hope that he sells enough papers even to break even

my biggest gripe with teh big issue is taht a few years ago there was an undercover documentary about these idiots that fire bomb animal test ceneters and injure doctors and their families who work at abortion clinics and they showed that money from teh big issue company was donated to help keep these people terrorisoing doctors and their families instead of working

as for been homeless their is no excuse for it , most people are homeless through choice you can always get a roof over your head if you are willing to get of your backside and do somthing about it

junetta · 03-03-2007, 20:48

Going back six years or so when I worked for the Police, arranging the ID Parades, I was Mrs Wonderful for the Big Issue sellers. They all knew me by name and would call in and ask if they could attend for a parade or two. It gave them a tenner which was good for them and I always did my best to include them. It also taught me that what you see isn't always what you got. A lovely bunch of lads with good manners, I found.

At the other end of the scale of things. We spent a lot of time in Weymouth during the Nineties and there was this old tramp that lived in the wine shop doorway. We christened her 'Dora Doorstep'. When she popped off, it came to light that she owned half of Weymouth.

It doesn't pay to speculate.

grego · 03-03-2007, 21:00

Just goes to show you dont know how genuine these people are, I usually buy the Big Issue but thats about it really, I wouldn't give money to a beggar.

junetta · 03-03-2007, 21:08

Neither would I. We have these 'Rose Ladies' in Tenerife. They come up to you and ask for a penny for a rose but when you open your purse they, by slight of hand, nick your credit cards.

grego · 03-03-2007, 21:32

You'd be gutted wouldn't you, thinking your doing them a favour then getting your cards nicked, will remember that and say no I think.

WillowTheWhisp · 03-03-2007, 23:06

That reminds me of our Tunisian thief. I gave her a few dinars for letting us take a photo of her and her grandchild (as is expected) and she reached in the car and grabbed all my change off the ledge that I was keeping for the toll roads. I've still got the photo of her!

garinda · 03-03-2007, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

I've still got the photo of her!

Send it the Tunisian Crimewatch programme.

Someone might get a community action reward if they can put a name to her.

WillowTheWhisp · 03-03-2007, 23:12

lol - see posters going up all over Tunisia "Do not photograph this woman! She'll nick your dinars!"

junetta · 03-03-2007, 23:50

I suppose that it looks quite sweet if you are here on holiday and I expect lots of folk fall for it. I almost did, myself. Don't stop for anyone, even if they just want a light for their ciggie. Best advice is not to take your handbag with you. Wear clothes with pockets for your bits and bats, especially at night or around a market area.

WillowTheWhisp · 04-03-2007, 00:00

Yes, we had little kids trying to sell us flower - just one flower. One kicked Busman in the shin when he wouldn't!