Tuesday 25 September 2012

When I leave the office



Almost every day when I leave the office, I walk to my closest tube station to take the train back home. In order to do that I pass through a small corridor, walk down some stairs and across the road afterwards to the entrance of the station. However, very close to the bottom of the stairs, most days of the year, there is the same homeless person waiting for people like me and asks for money. The problem I have with him is the fact that if you don’t give him money he sometimes gets abusive and starts calling you names.



I don’t think I’ve ever given him money. And since I found out he can be offensive, I don’t think I’ll give him money in the future, ever. I prefer buying ‘Big Issue’ sometimes or donating to organisations directly than giving money to people on the street like that. I’m not sure if that’s not the right thing to do, but I believe that money donated in proper organised charities are better spent than giving money to people on the street. I don’t know if there are lots of homeless people that don’t seek the help of charities and they can’t be reached. However, I’ll stand by what I think is best.

I’ve noticed though that since the end of the Olympics, lots of homeless people have returned to the streets of the city centre. Even the offensive guy was gone for a short while during August and early September, but now he’s back. It doesn’t affect me that he calls me sometimes names, probably an outcome of his hatred towards society or ‘privileged’ people with a job, a roof over them and a hot meal. On the contrary, instead of feeling annoyed or offended I feel content, thankful of the things in my life.


10 comments:

  1. The US has a lot of homeless too. Its been my experience that those who tend to be offensive are likely to be mentally ill. I prefer to give money to charities than a person as well.

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    1. I don't know if they are mentally ill or they have issues in general...

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  2. I am the same way regarding giving to charities rather than individuals. The hardest time of year for the homeless here is the summer because it is so brutally hot. When I have in the car I offer them bottled water. They usually take it but I know they are not pleased.

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    1. I thought it would be more difficult during the winter and the cold outside. Unless the region you are referring to has normal winter and very warm summers...

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  3. I found that the worst aggressive homeless people were in San Francisco and Paris. Makes you feel quite uncomfortable and unsafe sometimes.

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    1. I noticed that in Paris, but not San Francisco. Maybe I was lucky...

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  4. I know they are desperate, but being offensive just doesn't help. Or shouting crazy things.

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    1. Maybe it helps them... Blowing off some steam?
      Nah, I agree with you...

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  5. I know it seems here in the US since we no longer have (as many?) sanatoriums there seems to be more homeless people on the streets. Even here in the middle of nowhere we seem to be have more than normal?

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    1. The global financial crisis don't help either. There are so many people with problems...

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