Beggars

The other day a beggar came up to me in the street. "Have you got £2 please, I'm starving", he pleaded. I did not have £2 on me at the time, I had £1.50. I did not give him any money.

I have had an opportunity to see how local town councils operate in previous jobs I have had, and I learned an interesting fact. Every council in Britain houses and feeds beggars and they have clear directives for doing so. Any beggar can get food and accommodation, simply by going to their local council office and explaining they are hungry and homeless. When I learnt this, I was shocked as it means that nobody has any reason to beg, they do it purely by choice.

I never give money to beggars now, as I know that the council has means to take care of them, and the beggars know it too. Persistent beggars usually have drink or drug habits, and any money you give them will be spent on these vices and eventually kill them, so you will be doing more harm than good by handing out your cash.

If you want to help the needy, give money to a registered charity. There are many people who beg as a way of life. You can't help them all, so you have to draw a line. Beggar's lifestyle, beliefs, and habits lead them to poverty. Make sure your lifestyle, beliefs and habits lead in the opposite direction, or you too might be pleading on the street for £2, in your old age.