People asking for money: Genuine or chancers?

This is the usual conversation.

Chancer: Do you have any spare change ?...I need it to get home as I have no money for the bus.

Me: Yes, I have plenty of spare change but I'm not giving you a cent (awkward pause)... bye.

The trick in big city areas is to always be walking fast enough that you're one or two steps past them by the time they finish asking the question. This applies to chuggers, beggars, junkies etc.

I never feel intimidated by any of them but can't be arsed dealing with the awkwardness and the potential for aggro if they get brave.

I find yelling at them loudly to "FCUK OFF" works a charm. Have to say it with conviction tho and wide beady eyes. Sometimes I even start batting imaginary flies around my head. It really freaks them out.

gamercfc wrote: »

I was on the spot and very intimidated so I actually gave him €5 just to get him away from us.

That's terrible mate. Nobody should ever feel threatened on our streets. I really for you like. For €10 a can show you a few tricks to prevent this from happening again.

By giving him a fiver all you've done is encourage him to keep pestering people for money. If no one gave them money they would eventually stop asking.

You're being mugged. The threat that makes you hand over the money is only implied but still there. This way they can't face any prosecution.

People in Ireland seem to find it very hard to say no to things like that. Moving to Germany made me a lot more confident in saying no. A simple, slightly aggressive "nein" and even the toughest-looking scamper like a scared rabbit. Works even better on beggars in Ireland. You just have to be more firm, it's your money you have absolutely no obligation to give them anything.

Does this fall under aggressive begging ?

Give 'em an IOU.

That will sort them out til next Tuesday.

It's always people looking for money for "bus fair". The same type of people that probably never paid for public transport in their lives.

gamercfc wrote: »

I'm not talking about people with money boxes sitting in town streets either. I'm talking about seemingly normal citizens standing in the street and when I walk past them I'm asked to spare one or two euro.

I wouldn't say I'm gullible, more or less trying to keep myself safe, but I find it very nerve-racking to say "no" in case I get threatened or asked twice. One time I was approached very aggressively by a man that asked if I had any spare cash on me to "help his mother that she was in hospital with cancer". I spared him 10c and he said "come on you must have more than that, what about your missus does she have any in her purse?"

I was on the spot and very intimidated so I actually gave him €5 just to get him away from us.

A while later I saw the same lad again, only he was with 2 other lads, and they were all carrying bags from sports shops and laughing away, then I noticed one of lads going up to other strangers asking for money. He then approached me asked me for money only this time I did say "no" but my heart sunk when I said it.

Now, every time I'm asked for money I don't know whether to give them money to save my own skin or tell them no. I'm usually on my own when I run into these kind of people and it isn't nice.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? And what do you do when you're approached in such a manner?

You're the type of person that they love. What's there to be afraid of? Just say ''I would if I had any money''...That way you're not being too blunt.

Why do people lie, or apologize to these scrounging wasters? FFS cop on. Ya've nothing to apologize for, no reason to lie. Just say "NO" and stay moving. Why should ya feel bad? If ya want to give money to a worthy cause, we all know of plenty so sort them out, not some scummer on the street

This rarely happens to me because I walk so fast, few people try it.

But it happened me the other day just in Swords, well dressed guy of student age. But most students wouldn't dream of asking randomers for money no matter how broke they are. This guy was walking up the street and saw me at the atm. I had a problem with my card, so it took way longer than it should have. I just gave him a filthy look and luckily the door I needed to go in was right there beside me.

They do totally try to guilt you in to it. We are too polite when we're put on the spot. They haven't done anything to earn it.

Like a previous poster said, there's an optimum pace, maintain it and you'll get less hassle. Don't make eye contact with people. It's when you're strolling around and are easily stopped that they target you.

Another time, I was sitting down at that bank in temple bar and this woman started asking people beside me for money. I got up to go before she finished talking to them but she came after me, and shouted after me "sorry, sorry" trying to get me to turn around. Then she got really frustrated, screamed and thumped me on the shoulder really hard, but I just kept walking. I was hardly going to get into a fight with nut job junkie. She wasn't so out of it, so it could have been pretty rough. But I really dislike the fact that Guards were nearby and just had a laugh with some tourists while this was going on, getting their photo taken.

I get asked every day by a scummy looking fella just outside George's Arcade..I don't know if he's homeless or just a chancer but he annoys the hell out of me.

Makes me feel intimidated every time I'm walking past, going for lunch etc.
I told him to leave me alone but he just gives me a gummy grin and says "Salri' fer you dough isn't it, witchur fancy handbag and your John Player Blue, but wha' do I have? Fk all dat's wot!"

I just walk past fast and try to lose him.

Beggars are usually looking for money for drink or drugs (with the exception maybe of the Roma beggars, but they're another story!).

Basically you should take the approach that no beggar is genuine. If someone was genuinely in need, there are services there for them like St. Vincent de Paul. The only genuine case I can think of is if someone was mugged or lost their phone and money, but in that case they'd go to the guards for help.