London beggars commuting to Manchester because northerners are more 'generous'

Discussion in 'The Cocktail Lounge' started by Rainman, Oct 3, 2015.

  1. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    Londoners are stingy so beggars are moving North where folks are more generous so they can make more money.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn.../Beggars-commuting-to-the-generous-north.html
    Begging has become a lucrative business for some people? If 80% of people [begging on the streets] aren't homeless then what business have they getting money from people who think they are helping someone who actually isn't in need?
     
  2. pwarbi

    pwarbi Senior Investor

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    I live in Manchester and so I can relate to this. The number of homless as doubled in the past year in Manchester and a lot of them aren't locals, so I'm not sure if they're coming here because we are more generous, but the fact remains they are coming here.

    The trouble is, Manchester council doesn't seem to be doing anything about it and I'd say five years ago you could walk down a main street from top to bottom and it would cost you £5 if you give £1 to every homeless person you saw. These days it would probably cost you £20 to do the same today, that's how much homelessness as increased in the city.
     
  3. kgord

    kgord Senior Investor

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    Wow, that is something. I have never heard of homeless people or beggars changing locations to get better handouts. I mean not from city to city. Now beggars have to commute. Well it is all in a day's work I guess! I mean people don't have to give money to beggars. But if someone looks homeless, as the Bible says give to the least of these...I guess some play the part well
     
  4. Glcameron

    Glcameron Well-Known Member

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    There are so many people who seem to think it's better way to make a living than to go through the process of actually working. I know there are a bunch of homeless people here who beg but they have homes, own a car and just want to get the money from it. There is a particular family of 5 that seem to move from Walmart to Walmart begging to get money. It's terrible to take advantage of other's generosity especially considering there are those out there who needs the help.
     
  5. JR Ewing

    JR Ewing Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I know a guy who owns businesses that employ lots of people, even many people with little or no skills. He says that he's always given his card out to panhandlers and told them he'd hire them if they call or go by his HR dept and apply. He says that he's never had one take him up on it as far as he can recall.
     
  6. My401K

    My401K Well-Known Member

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    I don't know what it is like weather wise in Manchester, but I can tell you in the states the beggars migrate out of the northern regions when it is time for the snow to fly. It gets pretty darn cold sleeping under a bridge in the winter. For the most part it is only during the truly severe weather that the civic out reach will open warming shelters, and even that is only for the night. I can't imagine wanting to live on the street in sub zero weather. That's why many of these homeless head south.

    I have often wondered why in this country it is okay to allow aid for displaced immigrants yet the homeless have to go through so much to get any sort of help. One of the first things one needs to get any sort of social welfare is an address. How can the homeless do that? How do you prove you need heating assistance when you sleep in your car? It is sad I have read more and more accounts of students and young people that literally find ways to live in a vehicle and the office or university rather then try to pay a rent that they cannot afford. When I was in college I would see that there were many people that literally lived in the university libraries and common areas. they would get one of the study rooms in the library and sleep there. Wash in the lavatories and store what few possessions they had in a locker rental. When the semester ended they would search out international students to stay with, happily sleeping on the floor.
     
  7. pwarbi

    pwarbi Senior Investor

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    The weather in Manchester is usually wet, and cold so I can definitely say they're not coming here for the weather!

    The cost of living is a lot cheaper than London and I guess even if your homeless then that would be an attraction.
     
  8. Susimi

    Susimi Senior Investor

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    The difference in monetary value between the North and South is certainly still relevant. Well, I suppose you would call London the most expensive and the further away you get the cheaper things become. There was a joke in the 90's that stated a fellow sold his one bedroom London apartment and moved up north where he bought a huge mansion for the same price. Kinda still applies today.

    Most northern people have a lot of distaste for people from the south though who they like to call "southern fairys", but generally most northerners are friendly people so I can see why they want to take advantage of that. Have fun with the weather though...
     
  9. missbishi

    missbishi Well-Known Member

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    Manchester is famous throughout the UK for its rain so I'm pretty sure that beggars don't move there as a lifestyle choice! It's a great city though (and considering I'm a Scouser, that's a big thing for me to say!) so if you ever get the opportunity to visit, don't be put off by these reports.

    It's the third largest city in the UK and the largest in the North of England. There are three good-sized rail stations in the city centre alone so I imagine the sheer footfall of commuters gives a greater chance of collecting some money. And, yes, people in the North are much friendlier than those in the South.
     
  10. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    Maybe because begging isn't all that hard once you get used to it?

    I remember there was a time walking down a street I saw a man accost a beggar. The beggar was someone he knew. A relative. She'd run away from home and thinking that she'd never be found, figured this was the best way to make money fast. Since then I hardly ever give money to beggars.
     

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