Thats not quite true if you are between 18 and 30 and have no debilitating illness, mental or physical, or one you are willing to divulge your pretty much on your own.
Homelesness
- Thread starter Ex-member EagleOwl
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Thats not quite true if you are between 18 and 30 and have no debilitating illness, mental or physical, or one you are willing to divulge your pretty much on your own.
This may seem inappropriate posting this thread here but i feel it wholly appropriate as most of us have a very unique skill base that any piece of advice would help people.
I basically lived in a small woodland for 8 years because of the lessons i was taught right here.
I basically lived in a small woodland for 8 years because of the lessons i was taught right here.
Ahh, I think the problem with the way this thread started is that it needed more context to help people understand where you're coming from EagleOwl, just making a statement was a bit confusing on what you actually wanted to get out of the thread, it seems to ahve worked out now though so all's good, keep it in mind though.
I know that there's a lot of people on the forums that give up time and money to help a lot of people but maybe a gentle reminder from someone with experience is a good thing
I know that there's a lot of people on the forums that give up time and money to help a lot of people but maybe a gentle reminder from someone with experience is a good thing
I'm not judging anyone by my past posts but the truth is some homeless are violent, not because they want to be but because of the way they are treated. My friend works at a center in cardiff where you can stay for a few nights and he has saved many lifes and unfortunately seen some die, its a harsh reality so i think this thread is a very nice idea as i believe everyone should help someone out if they can, but my personal preference is to do so through charity work
On the subject of violence, how many aggressive crimes are commuted every day by people that have a job and a house? There are people with goodness and badness in every walk of life, you shouldnt be prejudiced and think any less of someone because of their situation in life. Strangers are just friends you don't know yet or whatever the turn of phrase is..
I am friends with several homeless people here. They have it tough, but are kind people and we have a laugh. One plays harmonica but it was stolen so I come down to see him with mine and my guitar.
I saw a protesters sign the other day that read: be the change in the world you want to see. We need to cultivate our goodness. Even if its small actions, but ahh I'm not talking just homeless now..
I am friends with several homeless people here. They have it tough, but are kind people and we have a laugh. One plays harmonica but it was stolen so I come down to see him with mine and my guitar.
I saw a protesters sign the other day that read: be the change in the world you want to see. We need to cultivate our goodness. Even if its small actions, but ahh I'm not talking just homeless now..
I am far from prejudice, I would not stereotype someone for being on the streets.
A millionaire was killed not to long ago for selling the big issue and was seen as a 'tramp', no one knew he had money.
There was a homeless man around pontypridd town who was a really nice chap, he never asked for anything but i gave him some clothes and sometimes money for food but now he has a home and a decent job and lives a normal life.
My personal choice is not to give the homeless money on the street, dont get me wrong if you want to feel free to do so- but personally i give to the charities
I'm talking generalities, in terms of ALL people. It wasn't directed at any one person/post either mate
I'm happy to give them money if they spend it on drugs and alcohol I don't blame them I would in there position, in my opinion homelessness is not the fault of individuals it is a the fault of society. Giving blankets or money will only help an individual where as money or time given to a charity will make more of a general impact but I think both are important, still a weird thread to have on a bushcraft forum
For my 2 pence worth I've seen both ends of the spectrum:
I've seen people begging on the street who look far from homeless with the clothes they were wearing out that same night (with £100 timberland boots and all) beggin for money (and obviously wasted), through those that approach you with a lame contradictory stories asking for you money for bus/phonecall (who are obviously wasted), all the way through to the real heartbreaking stories. The most heartbreaking of which was a 50 year old Hungarian who was duped out of his money for a ticket t o he UK where he was dumped. Rocked up to A&E numerous times after fitting from alcohol, until he was referred to me as psych SHO for sayin he would end it all. He had no intention to do so other than the fact he had nothing and it seemed the easy way out. I admitted him to a psych ward purely so that someone would take the intitiative to get in contact with the hungarian embassy and get him home, which they did. I hope he did well.
Anyway I digress. I agree with most here - give food or useful gifts, avoid money. And I only give it to those I personally feel are not those looking for cash for drugs or alcohol. Its a tough world, for some far more than others. You really cant judge until you know the whole story. Dont judge, be kind and give what you can.
Just my opinion, I have a lot of respect for those who have lived it rough and worked their way back into society. Apologies if society is the wrong word, of course the homeless are part of society, but I hope you know what I mean.
I've seen people begging on the street who look far from homeless with the clothes they were wearing out that same night (with £100 timberland boots and all) beggin for money (and obviously wasted), through those that approach you with a lame contradictory stories asking for you money for bus/phonecall (who are obviously wasted), all the way through to the real heartbreaking stories. The most heartbreaking of which was a 50 year old Hungarian who was duped out of his money for a ticket t o he UK where he was dumped. Rocked up to A&E numerous times after fitting from alcohol, until he was referred to me as psych SHO for sayin he would end it all. He had no intention to do so other than the fact he had nothing and it seemed the easy way out. I admitted him to a psych ward purely so that someone would take the intitiative to get in contact with the hungarian embassy and get him home, which they did. I hope he did well.
Anyway I digress. I agree with most here - give food or useful gifts, avoid money. And I only give it to those I personally feel are not those looking for cash for drugs or alcohol. Its a tough world, for some far more than others. You really cant judge until you know the whole story. Dont judge, be kind and give what you can.
Just my opinion, I have a lot of respect for those who have lived it rough and worked their way back into society. Apologies if society is the wrong word, of course the homeless are part of society, but I hope you know what I mean.
I very nearly got into serious trouble after trying to help a homeless person out. There was a homeless guy playing an acoustic guitar and singing and he was very very good. I've seen enough people tanked on booze and drugs to know when someone is either high or drunk, and he looked pretty presentable considering the clothes he was in and the position he was in. So anyway, as I was on my way back to work on my lunch break, I had a couple packs of sandwhiches from boots and I gave him one. He was clearly very greatful and I was happy to have helped. Anyway, about 15 feet later there was another guy that looked at me, not hopefully, I don't really know the look, but he looked at me in a weird way and I thought something was up straight away. Well anyway I carried on walking and I could smell the booze as I passed him. He shouted to me asking why I wouldn't give him anything, and then I felt a hand in my pocket... I put my hand down and grabbed his wrist and pressed my fingers in against his veins until he let go and then he started to push me. Well anyway, he went to push me in the chest and I put my arm up and his arm glanced off into my throat and it winded me a bit, strange feeling having pressure there I guess. So I hit the guy and he ended up with a broken jaw and fractured cheek bone. I kinda felt bad afterwards, but I was infuriated by the fact that I was being told I might be in the wrong, when I was only defending myself.
So now I steer well clear.
That's my experience and I know others have had bad experiences, but I also know some people have had good experiences. But you should always be wary when you extend a hand, it can be more trouble than it's worth.
So now I steer well clear.
That's my experience and I know others have had bad experiences, but I also know some people have had good experiences. But you should always be wary when you extend a hand, it can be more trouble than it's worth.
No, it is never any trouble to lend a hand. Beating up a homeless man though, thats something that should be avoided.
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Hitting someone once in self defence isn't beating someone up... It's a justifiable warning to let them know that if they really want to go there then I'm willing to return the favour.
I don't know about you, but if someone starts to attack me then I don't care whether they're homeless, what colour they are, where they are from, an attack is an attack. I'm not going to feel sorry for the guy an just let him push me around.
None in the end. But with people including passing community support officers taking it at face value, I very nearly got in the crap.
