9 July 2010

Beggary in Civic

| PaulM
Join the conversation
78

I’d vote for anyone who offers to do something about public begging.

A driver behind the privatisation of our public spaces is that in the Canberra Centre, strangers aren’t going to approach you and ask for money.

Jesus – what are you doing here in Civic, if you are so short of cash that you need to beg for the bus fare home?

Shouldn’t you have just stayed there?

Join the conversation

78
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
Hells_Bells749:22 am 21 Jul 10

I have probably done nothing lately Jayman.

But I feel a better person now I’ve read that. Thank you!

That is exactly how it is, down to the letter. They frustrated me at times but at the end of the day, I had a lot of time for them when I was in their world.

I have a friend who works in the City helping them every morning and God love her, she never lets them down, because she thinks they suffer enough.

The fact that we have people begging should be enough to make people ask what the hell is going on?

Go out and get unskilled work? Have you ever thought about what’s involved in trying to get a homeless person employed? “What do you mean you can’t shower regularly?”, “One set of clothes, that’s ridiculous?”, “No phone? How do I contact you?” They smell, they’re scruffy & grumpy – jeez I guess they can complain to the manager of their five star accomodation behind the dumpster location?

They get some kind of government benefit? “No mailing address? Where do I send your forms to?”, “No bank account, we only do electronic transfers” and that’s before we even look at employment opportunities. Of course if you don’t do what Centrelink says you have to you get issued with a non compliance or something else and they cut you off for 8 weeks. God forbid you get upset and start swearing, we’re not even talking about shouting yet, because that can enact a protocol where the Centrelink worker no longer has to talk to you.

Welfare services should get them accomodated somewhere? The emergency waiting list is now up to 2 years minimum, estimates are saying over 5 years if you don’t qualify as an emergency. But why should they get a somewhere free to live. Oh and if you move from state to state you don’t qualify until you’ve “lived” here for two years, gotta be on the grid though – living on the streets doesn’t count.

Welfare service are naive? In some cases they are ripped off by their clients, well will you look at that disadvantaged people take advantage of the system available to them. Is it right? No. What’s the alternative, cut them off completely? That’ll teach you for lying. Under that thought process, the next time pull a sickie you should be fired.

Criminals rights being protected, yes they are. When massive corporations can make as much billions and then shut down or fire people because they’re not making enough PROFIT then that is criminal. We’re not talking about meeting overheads, we’re talking about profit.

It doesn’t matter that people are doing drugs, alcohol is a drug before people get all high and mighty about junkies, what matters is why. How is the why being addressed?

I haven’t even started on mental health services.

I’ve gotta ask though,what have you done lately to be engaged in and improve your community?

chocolate_rain11:34 pm 20 Jul 10

I don’t think giving them money is really the best thing for them, “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a dayteach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

and I have a feeling if you give them money they will expect it everytime you bump into them in civic. There is this one guy I see all the time, sorta tan skin,goateehe, looks indian/arab must be doing drugs or has a mental issues – he really makes me feel uncomfortable because he loves to talk about weird thing, like dreams he has ect and wow I really want to know what is up with him…

colourful sydney racing identity11:15 am 20 Jul 10

geetee said :

Rarely a day goes by in Civic (or at Woden Interchange on the way home) where I’m not approached for money or cigarettes.

However, it’s the organised charity collectors in Civic each day that annoy me the most. Although I used to be a supporter of Amnesty and some other well-known charities, I just do NOT give to these professional collectors anymore.

Most of them are back-packers, often flown in from Melbourne or Sydney and accomodated in Canberra, to do this work! Imagine how much of a deduction from your charity donation this kind of overhead means..

What was the charity in the papers recently that only actually managed to pay out about 10-15% of it’s totally income to the people it was supposedly set up to assist? That’s a massive amount of administraion and other overheads for an organisation that gets huge tax incentives. I’m sure there are many man more in this category.

Try asking a collector to prove what percentage of your donation is actually guaranteed to be given to the needy. Not that they’ll know, but..

I have to agree, most people begging for money will leave you alone when you say no. the organised charity collectors are much more insistant.

Rarely a day goes by in Civic (or at Woden Interchange on the way home) where I’m not approached for money or cigarettes.

However, it’s the organised charity collectors in Civic each day that annoy me the most. Although I used to be a supporter of Amnesty and some other well-known charities, I just do NOT give to these professional collectors anymore.

Most of them are back-packers, often flown in from Melbourne or Sydney and accomodated in Canberra, to do this work! Imagine how much of a deduction from your charity donation this kind of overhead means..

What was the charity in the papers recently that only actually managed to pay out about 10-15% of it’s totally income to the people it was supposedly set up to assist? That’s a massive amount of administraion and other overheads for an organisation that gets huge tax incentives. I’m sure there are many man more in this category.

Try asking a collector to prove what percentage of your donation is actually guaranteed to be given to the needy. Not that they’ll know, but..

Deadmandrinking said :

damien haas said :

Last week I copped the ‘need money for bus fare’ line, i told him it was his lucky day as i had a 10 trip ticket, with one trip left (true) and pulled it out of my pocket, he looked at it, then me, and said, ‘oh, i live in queanbeyan and their bus only takes cash’. Sadly for him, i dont give cash to beggars.

It’s actually pretty expensive to get back to Queanbeyan on a bus, which is stupid, since it’s just as far from the city as tuggeranong.

With me, it’s a regularity thing. I do give money, but if I’m asked by the same person every day – well, I honestly can’t afford to do that for just one person. However, I would rather somebody get given small change than them having to resort to burglary.

Deadmandrinking, what’s your email address? I know of a fabulous $$$ opportunity out of Nigeria you’ll definitely be interested in taking up …

Spinney Woods3:14 pm 15 Jul 10

Oh yes…someone please do move them on. They’re so unsightly and they smell. Can’t they go beg in someone else’s town??? :o/ sigh…

There but for the grace of god….

Deadmandrinking9:31 am 15 Jul 10

damien haas said :

Last week I copped the ‘need money for bus fare’ line, i told him it was his lucky day as i had a 10 trip ticket, with one trip left (true) and pulled it out of my pocket, he looked at it, then me, and said, ‘oh, i live in queanbeyan and their bus only takes cash’. Sadly for him, i dont give cash to beggars.

It’s actually pretty expensive to get back to Queanbeyan on a bus, which is stupid, since it’s just as far from the city as tuggeranong.

With me, it’s a regularity thing. I do give money, but if I’m asked by the same person every day – well, I honestly can’t afford to do that for just one person. However, I would rather somebody get given small change than them having to resort to burglary.

Last week I copped the ‘need money for bus fare’ line, i told him it was his lucky day as i had a 10 trip ticket, with one trip left (true) and pulled it out of my pocket, he looked at it, then me, and said, ‘oh, i live in queanbeyan and their bus only takes cash’. Sadly for him, i dont give cash to beggars.

beggars, charities, telemarketers…. if you ASK for money you arent getting any.

but every single time I see a salvos man sitting there quietly with his box, I always donate.
same thing with other personal causes.

but if you ask (and especially some of those charities that actually harrass!), you arent getting ONE CENT.

You think you have a problem in Canberra with charity “solicitors”? In London they’re known as chuggers (charity muggers) and they’re so thick on the ground, especially in the “naicer” areas like Kensington, you can barely move without being accosted. They’re all such clearskinned, bright-eyed youngsters, so charming, happy and friendly you just want to punch the bastards right in their perfect, gleaming white teeth. Not very charitable, I admit, but they get you that way in the end.

As for beggars in Civic, I buy the Big Issue from the bloke at the pedestrian crossing near Target and ignore the others. (But I do donate regularly to WWF and the McGrath Foundation.)

Months ago, as I was going into Woolworths in Woden, I was asked for money by a beggar outside Woden plaza. I said no, and he said, ok, have a nice day.
Best sales/guilt pitch ever.
I bought extra stuff food, went back and showed him the bag, and told him to help himself. He ended up just taking a bottle of water, but was appreciative.

Some beggars are still nice people.

Holden Caulfield10:45 am 13 Jul 10

zillah said :

I wonder how many of those who whinge about giving their ‘hard earned’ money to beggars actually donate to charities on a regular basis? Or use their money and their votes compassionately with the less fortunate in mind? Or, you know, actually bother to find out more about the plight of the homeless, the addicted, the unstable, the cold, the hungry and the desperate?

Privilege is a fine thing isn’t it? It’s very easy to be all moral and upright-citizen and full ‘o knowledge when you are pretty sure that will never be you crouching on the pavement. I’m just saying.

I think it’s a fair point. While I do regularly donate to a few charities it’s actually a pretty easy/lazy option. I’m certainly guilty of taking the easy route, too.

I reckon your idea of trying to better understand the issues at hand or donating time to a charity/volunteer service can be of more merit than handing over credit card details.

But it’s (potentially) a tough ask and will often lead people away from their comfort zone.

Oh my, yes I too am presented with ‘grimy aggressive sickly looking people’ every single day of my privileged wealthy life, and I too donate heavily to charities – so yes, good for you actually putting something into dealing with the problem, as best you can.

However one thing I certainly don’t do is complain about being exposed on a daily basis to people – human beings – who suffer the indignity and humiliation of life on the street. ‘Compassion fatigue’ or whatever the euphemism is these days is one thing but complaining that your life is made slightly less perfect by the mere presence of the unfortunate is just churlish.

If you don’t want to give money say no and keep walking. Doing that several times per day is not going to kill you. Sure it’s not much fun, but maybe remind yourself that you’re the one with all the power in the situation and take comfort in your warm bed and your hot shower and your freedom from addiction. If you don’t want people on the streets, consider contributing actively to social services. If you feel threatened, get yourself out of the situation, call the police, whatever.

But come on, ‘grimy aggressive sickly looking’ is pretty harsh. I might venture to suggest you would look and behave much the same after a few nights on the streets.

Actually I used to be very sympthetic, and I still donate to several charities.

But once I started working in civic, I was approached by the same crowd of beggars every single day.
I don’t want to spend my lunch hour doling out 2.00 coins to grimy aggressive sickly looking people.

If you walk through civic once in a blue moon then you probably haven’t developed the same compassion fatigue as the people who are there daily.

I wonder how many of those who whinge about giving their ‘hard earned’ money to beggars actually donate to charities on a regular basis? Or use their money and their votes compassionately with the less fortunate in mind? Or, you know, actually bother to find out more about the plight of the homeless, the addicted, the unstable, the cold, the hungry and the desperate?

Privilege is a fine thing isn’t it? It’s very easy to be all moral and upright-citizen and full ‘o knowledge when you are pretty sure that will never be you crouching on the pavement. I’m just saying.

Most charities are naive. They need to do more research on the people they help out. I used to give money to the salvos all the time but once I found out they were giving boxes of food every morning to the lady across from me I stopped. She claims to be a single mum but never has her kids with her and every night there is a different bloke there. Not to mention all the times she has been raided by cops for drug dealing. She probably earns more money than anyone else in the street but she still gets free food every single day from them. I know people out there benefit from the work of charities but seeing what goes on across the street and how much she works the system has put me off donating to them.

CanberraCreative1:49 pm 11 Jul 10

cranky said :

I-filed,

Being totally cynical, I could not credit more than 5c in the $2 to actually do any good in a deserving country. Having seen the avarice of local government in these countries, I’m amazed anyone deserving receives a cent.

That’s why the money and aid is distributed by NGOs… Non-governmental organisations.
Once had a talk from Doctors without Borders who essentially said what you said, can’t trust the governments to do it, so they have parallel networks for making things happen.

Personally, I’d rather beggary in the streets of Civic than buggery

🙂 not that there’s anything wrong with that

I like to give to those people who beg on occasions. It makes me feel human and that is worth my loose change. I have been to places like Nepal where begging is a career and that is very scary. I gave there too despite official advice not to. I buy the Big Issue and I am such a loser that I think it is a great read.

I have become very disillusioned with conventional charities since I did some volunteer work with a international well known charitable body and found it to be bitchy, corrupt and very uncharitable. I suppose people are people and large organizations can hide a lot of negative stuff.

I think that the best way to assist people overseas is through trade, not through charity. However, charities that support education and provide means to help communities feed themselves are obviously a way towards self sufficiency. I do contribute to such a charity; however I never feel sure that what they are doing is of value. I feel that they are too busy preaching (not religion, just their political viewpoint) and not helping at all.

I-filed,

Being totally cynical, I could not credit more than 5c in the $2 to actually do any good in a deserving country. Having seen the avarice of local government in these countries, I’m amazed anyone deserving receives a cent.

If we were fair dinkum, drug use would be legalised and controlled, taxed even. Same as tobacco and grog.

The war on drugs was lost before it began. The cost to society is astronomical, typified at the lower reaches by these begging wretches.

No-one in Australia needs to beg. People who are mentally ill can be paid the same pension as elderly Australians. All the humbuggers in Civic are drug addicts – if they are medicating mental illness, there are plenty of government support programs. And there’s NA and AA. Seriously folks, let’s worry about real poverty. That $2 you just gave a junkie (with a $15 pack of cigarettes in his back pocket, credit on his mobile, a few Red Bulls in his rucksack and well on his way to having the $80 he will need to score) would buy a week’s lunches for a poor family in Bangladesh and send a kid to school.

giving money to beggars encourage them to beg more…. if you are really civic-minded person and of sincere heart; there are ways to extend such gratitude – donate to winter appeal maybe or give to charities.

CanberraCreative2:19 pm 10 Jul 10

ginger_sunshine said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

interesting thought on this topic – if said beggars were offering a service in exchange for a donation eg shoe shining, would peoples views be different?

However, the guy who washes windows at the intersection of Barry Dr and Northbourne I have no issue giving money to. He’s never washed my windows without asking, and though the money is (probably) going to drugs, he’s still out there in the cold and the hot, and he’s working. Therefore he’s entitled to spend the money however he wishes, just like everyone else.

Agree with you on that one. Some real SOBs have done window washing in the past and being aggressive, the current bloke though isn’t. He’s out there doing something at least which is more than many. Also, good on him for wearing a hi-viz and complying with OH&S regulations.

ginger_sunshine11:45 am 10 Jul 10

colourful sydney racing identity said :

interesting thought on this topic – if said beggars were offering a service in exchange for a donation eg shoe shining, would peoples views be different?

If they were offering a service in exchange for money, it stops being begging and becomes commerce.

Personally, I hate being approached by the beggars in Civic, after several times when I told them I didn’t carry cash (which I don’t) and being verbally abused for it. Yes, I ignored them and walked away, but it’s still frustrating.

However, the guy who washes windows at the intersection of Barry Dr and Northbourne I have no issue giving money to. He’s never washed my windows without asking, and though the money is (probably) going to drugs, he’s still out there in the cold and the hot, and he’s working. Therefore he’s entitled to spend the money however he wishes, just like everyone else.

Le Rouge et le Noir said :

I’ve had the same guy approach me with the same story (a combination of his car needing petrol and something about a bus…)

I’ve had the same guy in Dickson and unfortunately I believed his sob story and gave him some money. He had been insistent that he’d pay me back and gave me a name and phone number but for some reason his phone always goes to voicemail…..

Hahahahahahahahahah!!
No offence, but can you say Gullible

Many of these charity workers (in other cities at least) are working on commission – hence their persistence.

ChatterBox Charming3:40 am 10 Jul 10

Astrojax, you never know who’s reading riotact. Even drug dealers can take an interest in keeping up with Canberra news, everyones gotta have a hobby.

PrinceOfAles3:18 am 10 Jul 10

It`s a beggars pride that he is not a thief.

I won’t give to junkies, they only shoot it up their arms, so I don’t feel guilty, but I would not open my purse in front of them, I was asked one time, he seemed ok, so I went away and took $5.00 out of my purse and went back and gave it to him, it didn’t hurt me to do that.

ConanOfCooma11:18 pm 09 Jul 10

somewhere_between_bundah_and_goulburn said :

The worst ones are the ones with a cigarette in their hand. There was an Aboriginal woman doing this to me, when I ignored her, she shouted expletives in the air.

Sometimes I shout expletives into the ground, or into the water.

somewhere_between_bundah_and_goulburn said :

The worst ones are the ones with a cigarette in their hand. There was an Aboriginal woman doing this to me, when I ignored her, she shouted expletives in the air.

And the fact that she was Aboriginal is of importance because…….????

They say that 1 in 5 people in Australia has some sort of mental illness.

To be a beggar in this country one would have to have some underlying issues located between their ears.

We have social security and many charities which will help feed and clothe the unfortunate ones so why beg?

Judging from the above comments, if they are begging for drug money, then it’ll take a month of Sundays before they get enough to score.

So, back to my first point, statistically nine out of the 45 (approx so far) posters here are frootloops. Anyone care to own up?

I personally don’t suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it….

CanberraCreative said :

Civic is fast turning into Dickensian London.

I blame the current lack of demand for chimney sweeps.

Pommy bastard5:39 pm 09 Jul 10

lindt said :

I’m going to mark myself as terribly naive here, but does no-one feel sorry for the beggars? It’s Canberra, it’s winter and it’s bloody freezing even with a coat, hot lunch and warm house to go home to.

I know for a fact that one of the beggars that people have been warned about above, the Woden chap, lives in a nice Govvy flat, paid for by the taxpayer, very local to where he approaches people for money.

CanberraCreative4:54 pm 09 Jul 10

Civic is fast turning into Dickensian London.

I support charities because I know the money will be spent properly, not blown on pokies and drink.
I would never support beggars. Most of them act like total scum in Civic and Woden. I’ve seen them chase after women on a few occasions until someone has stepped in. They won’t take no for an answer, are gutless and pick easy targets.

There’s really no excuse for begging either. Check the job ads and there’s heaps of unskilled jobs out there. Surely cleaning dishes or shovelling soil is better than sitting in the gutter.

Daspuck said :

Then add scientologists, falong dafa, selling your gold and handcream peeps…

I know that gold prices are high, but surely the fact I am wearing a ring means I kind like it and might want to keep it? And the and cream people? Do I look like I need to be moister? Or do I smell bad?

Today I went in one door and out another at Woden Plaza, and there was a guy begging at both. Each one sitting on a milk crate, with hat on ground and texta and cardboard sign in hand….

somewhere_between_bundah_and_goulburn4:22 pm 09 Jul 10

The worst ones are the ones with a cigarette in their hand. There was an Aboriginal woman doing this to me, when I ignored her, she shouted expletives in the air.

Could the drug dealer who delivers product in Glebe Park (by appointment only) please stop throwing his empty Bourbon and Coke cans into the flower beds.

doubt he’s reading riotact, facet.

but now i have your attention, my goldfish died and i need to get a taxi to hospital and wondered if you could spare $20 to help me out? i’ll pay it back next week, really i will…

georgesgenitals2:41 pm 09 Jul 10

I just say “no thanks, I’m not interested” when asked.

I also support charities.

I once gave $5 to a lady in Dickson. She gave me a sob story about her kids so I handed over the cash because she sounded genuine. About an hour later I saw her in the Tradies playing the pokies. I hope she doesn’t really have kids.

Le Rouge et le Noir said :

I’ve had the same guy approach me with the same story (a combination of his car needing petrol and something about a bus…)

I’ve had the same guy in Dickson and unfortunately I believed his sob story and gave him some money. He had been insistent that he’d pay me back and gave me a name and phone number but for some reason his phone always goes to voicemail…..

As ‘Holden Caufield’ said above, it made me angry not so much about that I was duped or about the money just that this individual is still out there with the same lies. I can only hope that karma (or the police) catch up with him soon.

I’ve seen that guy in Dickson before. He approached me with a great story about how his car got broken into, his wallet stolen and he needed money for fuel so he could drive to Sydney by the next morning. He followed me to the ATM, at which point I told him that if he didn’t back off, i’d make him back off.

He called me an effing dickhead, sulked over to the seats and sat with his mate. I wonder if he got broken into as well?

Beggars are pretty easy to say no to. You just shake your head and they’ll stop pursuing most of the time. They’re pretty much half expecting you to say no anyway so it’s not a surprise to them. Occasionally I’ll surprise them and hand money over when I’m feeling particularly inclined.

Charity workers however are a different kettle of fish. They’re annoying, persistent, chase after you, and being on the phone, plugged into your music player or wearing dark glasses does not deter them. They’re relentless. The worst ones are the ones who jump from charity to charity. One lady sold me on heart research, and then 2 weeks later she was pushing for world vision. Truly.. you’d think she’s on a quest to save the world, one dollar at a time..

Then add scientologists, falong dafa, selling your gold and handcream peeps and you’ve got a really good reason to bring your own lunch in and stay in the office!

Holden Caulfield2:09 pm 09 Jul 10

colourful sydney racing identity said :

interesting thought on this topic – if said beggars were offering a service in exchange for a donation eg shoe shining, would peoples views be different?

Probably not. It’s generally not the question or the act of begging itself that is the problem, but the nagging/frequency/abuse that is experienced.

It’s hard to respect or treat someone as genuine until they start doing themselves. I dare say if you’re nagging the same people, with the same made up stories day after day then you’re probably not as genuine as you could be.

I’m not saying for a moment that there are some beggars that have been dealt a shit hand in life, or that they don’t have genuine claims. I guess I’m saying I’d much rather give a few bucks and a smile to a Big Issue vendor than a con artist. Fool me once and all that.

Le Rouge et le Noir said :

I’ve had the same guy approach me with the same story (a combination of his car needing petrol and something about a bus…)

I’ve had the same guy in Dickson and unfortunately I believed his sob story and gave him some money. He had been insistent that he’d pay me back and gave me a name and phone number but for some reason his phone always goes to voicemail…..

As ‘Holden Caufield’ said above, it made me angry not so much about that I was duped or about the money just that this individual is still out there with the same lies. I can only hope that karma (or the police) catch up with him soon.

The fact that he goes around giving fake contact details is something that frustrates me. Quite frankly, I’d be more inclined to give him some spare change if I thought there was any sort of truth to what he was saying.

I don’t mind passing on spare change if I have it. If someone’s asking for food or something like that, it doesn’t bother me. But when people come up with these extreme stories just to go and get a fix – I don’t want to be a part of that.

Woody Mann-Caruso1:48 pm 09 Jul 10

+1 colorful sydney racing identity.

It doesn’t hurt me to hand over some change, though it’s nice when I can buy the Big Issue instead. It’s easier to believe that somebody who’s reduced to begging for change has serious problems in their life and so needs a little compassion than that they use my $2 to refuel their BMW parked out of sight.

TheVirulentOne1:42 pm 09 Jul 10

Hey Colourful, thanks for the fine ideas – personally I think the stocks are the most enjoyable of your options, and would draw the crowds to Civic, livening up the place considerably. Unfortunately I don’t see the connection between junky vermin hussling on the street and people who work minimising their tax, probably because there is no connection. Tax minimisers aren’t harassing me at the ATM, or getting in my face when I try to walk anywhere near the Merry-go-round. In fact, they don’t harass me at all, funny that.

The answer to this problem is the one thing you didn’t advocate, which is to make begging illegal, accompanied by mandatory jail terms. No need for police to move them on, just put them straight into the paddy wagon and put them in a real jail for a year, plenty of time for them to go cold turkey and see the error of their ways. But I concede that’s never going to happen in a place where the only rights that are protected are the rights of the criminals.

The druggo beggars don’t worry me because they will generally leave you alone. The bigger problem is those bloody annoying “charity” workers that harass you every time you walk past every day to try and get you to give large amounts of money towards one of their useless schemes. I would be extremely happy if the police arrested them all and carted them away, although I have almost perfected the art of getting past them without them talking to me.

Sure, the “bums” on the street are just a tad bit annoying in some cases. My solution: Carry around some snack bars. Ever heard of the guy that swapped the paper clip for a house?

sepi said :

I used to feel sorry for them and hand over a coin, but once I started to work in civic I lost all sympathy. Lunchtime is now a sad experience of running the gauntlet between the festy beggars and the mad handcream sales women, and the over enthusiastic charity workers.

Sadly staying inside the top level of the Canberra centre is the only way to be left alone.

Only if they didn’t charge more than a thrupence for their services.

“I can only hope that karma (or the police) catch up with him soon.”

I am not sure what you get for wishing bad karma on the poor.

Recently I saw I boy begging for bus fair late at night. This old feller gave him a mouthful of abuse. The last I saw of the boy he was begging the bus driver to let him on without a fare. You just never know.

troll-sniffer12:56 pm 09 Jul 10

The only ‘beggar’ who has scored any of my hard-earned (well easy-earned but hard-earned sounds better) cash in the last 5 years was a young backpacker chick who accosted me and said she would sing me a song for a dollar. She said she had had her backpack stolen and was trying to get a bus fare to Sydney where her friends would help her out.

So she sang me a song and got $20.00, $1 for the song, and $19.00 being the money I had saved by not giving in to the lowlife scum druggies over the previous few months.

Who knows perhaps I got conned but I don’t think so, I never saw her again, so I’m assuming she did get on a bus and off to Sydney as promised.

Agreed with all above who get frustrated with the “beggars”. I just say no and don’t give anything any more either.

If they’re frauds, as I’m sure many of them are, then even if they do manage to con a few bucks so that they’ve “won”, their life must be pretty ordinary if it’s a “win” worth having. Yeah, I might have “lost” and be out a few coins, but at the end of the day I still have a home, family, meal and bed to go to. In the end it’s no loss at all and I’ve learnt something for next time.

My money goes to the Salvo’s these days.

la mente torbida12:33 pm 09 Jul 10

If you have an issue, just tell them you gave them some money yesterday

wherestarzan12:32 pm 09 Jul 10

Hmmm, I usually try to buy a ‘Big Issue’ from one of the civic sellers each week but tend not to give people spare change. I’m more annoyed by the handcream and charity sellers in civic chasing me down because I’m carrying a shopping bag or two. One charity guy even berated me for shopping for myself when I wouldn’t support his charity. That was the last time I stopped for any charity.

Muttsybignuts12:25 pm 09 Jul 10

“I remember getting conned by a guy in London many years ago while I was waiting for a train. It got me really angry, not so much that I “fell for it” and lost a few quid, but more that this particular individual was so conniving and calculated with his methods of seeking money. It’s one of the few times in my life I’ve wanted to inflict physical harm on someone. I’m not necessarily proud of that fact either, it must be said.”

Could you tell us his particular grift? Might help if the CivicSuperBludgers try something similar.

As above with everyone else – ocassionally I give them shrappers.

But seeing the same people in Civic/Woden for the past 4 years you lose caring.

And the one lady who I gave change to to then ask if she could have the $5 sticking out of my wallet broke it for me – I work day in day out for my money – and I’m half your age. Seriously.

I’ll pay buskers who are good, atleast they’re working for it rather then sitting down repeating the phrase “spare any change” while having a smoke.

colourful sydney racing identity12:12 pm 09 Jul 10

54-11 said :

Jeez, colourful, you having a bad day or something?

🙂

Sure am, some down and outer asked me for spare change this morning and I am still so full of rage I can’t calm down.

Le Rouge et le Noir12:01 pm 09 Jul 10

I’ve had the same guy approach me with the same story (a combination of his car needing petrol and something about a bus…)

I’ve had the same guy in Dickson and unfortunately I believed his sob story and gave him some money. He had been insistent that he’d pay me back and gave me a name and phone number but for some reason his phone always goes to voicemail…..

As ‘Holden Caufield’ said above, it made me angry not so much about that I was duped or about the money just that this individual is still out there with the same lies. I can only hope that karma (or the police) catch up with him soon.

Jeez, colourful, you having a bad day or something?

I think I hate the WWF and Amnesty international bugging me every 5 mins more than some crackhead zombie…

They are very cunning..spot you like a hawk and they don’t want your change anymore, they want your bank account number. They are the real problem with Civic.

I used to feel sorry for them and hand over a coin, but once I started to work in civic I lost all sympathy. Lunchtime is now a sad experience of running the gauntlet between the festy beggars and the mad handcream sales women, and the over enthusiastic charity workers.

Sadly staying inside the top level of the Canberra centre is the only way to be left alone.

colourful sydney racing identity11:45 am 09 Jul 10

interesting thought on this topic – if said beggars were offering a service in exchange for a donation eg shoe shining, would peoples views be different?

Holden Caulfield11:40 am 09 Jul 10

lindt said :

I’m going to mark myself as terribly naive here, but does no-one feel sorry for the beggars? It’s Canberra, it’s winter and it’s bloody freezing even with a coat, hot lunch and warm house to go home to. I don’t know that their story is. I don’t know whether they’re truly homeless and desperate or if they’re just there to feed an addiction. But with homelessness and mental illness a problem across Canberra and all of Australia, my initial reaction sure isn’t anger or annoyance.

I wish I knew what to do – I don’t have so much money that I’d want to give any to someone wanting their next drink or fix but I would happily give someone who needed it a hot meal if they were really hungry.

I dare say a number of people would actually share your view. I know I do. However, there appears to be plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that many beggars in Civic (for example) don’t care two hoots about scoring their next meal. I think it’s a different type of score they are sometimes after.

I remember getting conned by a guy in London many years ago while I was waiting for a train. It got me really angry, not so much that I “fell for it” and lost a few quid, but more that this particular individual was so conniving and calculated with his methods of seeking money. It’s one of the few times in my life I’ve wanted to inflict physical harm on someone. I’m not necessarily proud of that fact either, it must be said.

I certainly understand csri’s point in post #10, but I can also understand the average punter’s frustration with being approached time and time again with bullshit stories. If that creativity and application was used in better endeavours — like a bit of self-respect, for a start — then maybe those down on their luck might make the first steps to getting out of what may very well be some dark and difficult times.

colourful sydney racing identity11:34 am 09 Jul 10

facet said :

Never (in nearly two years) did I see police walking through Civic during business hours; so maybe they are also by appointment.

You must have been walking around with your eyes shut.

I have worked in Civic on the streets (watering and caring for plants)for over two years. Could the drug dealer who delivers product in Glebe Park (by appointment only) please stop throwing his empty Bourbon and Coke cans into the flower beds.
I have watched organised groups of beggars meet up near the Merry-go-round for a workplace meeting. They looked sane and well organised to me. As did the pair of lowlifes who used to follow young backpackers waiting for them to take their eyes off their gear.
Never (in nearly two years) did I see police walking through Civic during business hours; so maybe they are also by appointment.

I’m going to mark myself as terribly naive here, but does no-one feel sorry for the beggars? It’s Canberra, it’s winter and it’s bloody freezing even with a coat, hot lunch and warm house to go home to. I don’t know that their story is. I don’t know whether they’re truly homeless and desperate or if they’re just there to feed an addiction. But with homelessness and mental illness a problem across Canberra and all of Australia, my initial reaction sure isn’t anger or annoyance.

I wish I knew what to do – I don’t have so much money that I’d want to give any to someone wanting their next drink or fix but I would happily give someone who needed it a hot meal if they were really hungry.

Dark clothes. Dark glasses. Look through them like they don’t exist.

Even if they make a half-hearted attempt to approach, they won’t pursue.

Works best if you’re genuinely willing to support whatever really works to keep people off drugs and in a positive position in society. I try to support education for the less well-off.

colourful sydney racing identity10:47 am 09 Jul 10

If the people who get so distressed about beggars asking them for money had any real understanding of the horrors of mental illness and the desparation of drug addiction they would not get their panties in a bunch over a couple of small coins.

If you want to get upset about something, get upset about the super rich minimising their tax and ripping us all off rather than the lees fortunate asking you for a couple of bucks *sheesh*

If someone asking you for money is the worst thing that happens to you today, you are having a pretty damn good day.

I was approached by a beggar some time ago in Petrie Plaze. He asked me for money so that he could eat as he claimed that he hadn’t eaten for three days. I sincerely offered to take him to the Canberra Centre to get him some hot food at the food court. He declined and said that he didn’t want to. I repeated my offer and he told me to go f*ck myself. Thanks champ, nice one.

I don’t mind if there are legitimate beggars – I like to try to help – but not the sort of idiots that walk around Civic spitting everywhere and abusing people when they are ignored.

I work in Civic, in the middle of Garema Place. I am approached every day, often multiple times per day, from people wanting money and cigarettes. It’s the same people over and over.

I think indigoid (no. 2) has it right, that most of them are feeding addictions. It’s very different to third world countries where most beggars are looking to feed themselves, and do not have government assistance.

I continue to give a polite no in response, but I do get sick of being approached.

I always like asking them, before they have the chance to ask me, if they could spare a few coins…

A Noisy Noise Annoys An Oyster10:20 am 09 Jul 10

Here’s a warning to anybody approaching Woden Plaza from the Corinna St entry. That dirty, drunken, unshaven aboriginal bloke is back begging. He gave us all a break for a while. As soon as you see him cross to the other side of the street and, if approached, tell him to f*** off.

I’ve had the same guy approach me with the same story (a combination of his car needing petrol and something about a bus…) around 3 times now, within the last month. And on one of those occasions I was in the process of using an ATM, so he proceeded to invade my personal space and tried to peer over my shoulder to see what I was doing, then asking if I could get some cash out for him. Asking for change is one thing, but requesting $20 like you have some right to it, is a bit much.

I’m not going to lie though, I’ve found it amusing that he’s come up to me 3 times with the same story and expected I’d believe it. Obviously he’s not good with faces…

la mente torbida10:14 am 09 Jul 10

Does it make any difference to you that the fact is that most of the social welfare agencies are located in Civic?

Bah humbug, you scrooge.

Seriously its an issue for you? I mean, I am pretty sure most ‘beggars’ are out for extra money rather than money to survive on (presumably they all receive some form of govt benefit), so I never give them any. But its not really a problem is it?

Go to India or SE Asia and witness real beggars. Then come home and the Canberra try hards will cause you no issue whatsoever.

Staying at home isn’t going to pay for their addictions

colourful sydney racing identity9:55 am 09 Jul 10

And, what, pray tell, do you suggest is done about begging?

How about making poverty illegal and throwing beggars in jail – sounds like a senisble cheap option?

How about wasting police resources by getting them to move beggars on?

How about putting them in stocks and letting upstanding citizens like you throw rotten fruit at them?

You know what princess? A pretty simple solution for you, if you don’t want to give them money you can just say “no”. Seriously HTFU.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.