virgintrain1
Member
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2011
- Messages
- 209
What would the PIS screen message say? That could potentially end up being a PR distaser. I can't imagine it could say no begging.
South West Trains PIS message.
What would the PIS screen message say? That could potentially end up being a PR distaser. I can't imagine it could say no begging.
I can safely say that I've never heard of 'tissue begging' let alone encountered it. I've had a few beggars using the 'I'm a little short for my journey' line but I usually cut them off before they finish by telling them I've got no change
I echo the views this is largely organised, especially those around Westminster, who I often recognise sharing “props”. It is once again becoming more prevalent - probably 1 in 5 journeys on the tube I see someone.
Re traffic lights... I actually called 101 last week because I saw a man on crutches tottering out on to the North Circular as the lights changed. I sat waiting in the right turn lane as he dodged between three lanes of 40mph traffic, waving a Costa cup. How much of it was an act I can’t say, but I certainly didn’t fancy being a captive audience... Of course by the time I got through to 101 I was at the other end of Palmers Green.
Seemed to be no shortage of homeless and beggars in Cologne when I visited last year, some very persistent.Always thought this quote summed it up well, Henning Wehn: “We don't do charity in Germany. We pay taxes. Charity is a failure of governments' responsibilities."
I didn't say public spaces as you quoted me, I said public places. They are definitely public places.They aren't "public spaces". They are places open to the genereal public; there is a big difference.
But they aren't owned by the public, are they? They are owned by (generally) Network Rail.
You may also note that they are covered by Legislation that does not allow begging.
At Manchester Victoria I encountered a gang of east european women selling roses.
They thrust a card (laminated!) in peoples hand with a sob story written on it.
When I refused to buy one they were not best pleased.
Definitely. I'm not condoning it. The issue probably being that them being there in itself, I imagine, wouldn't be illegal if either it was an open station, or, they had a valid ticket or local pass. So they would have to be caught begging by authority to be removed I assume.You may also note that they are covered by Legislation that does not allow begging.
At New St beggars go bothering people in the McDonalds by the top exit. They ask for money and for the coffee bean stickers off cups that you collect for a free drink.Slightly OT but the amount of Beggars as you come out of New Street heading towards Tesco Metro is amazing... I used to go for a drink round there but not been for ages.
Same thing happened to me at Warrington bank quay the person concerned still in the station 2 hours laterHad the "I am a pound short for my fare" at Cardiff Central from a man who sounded and looked genuine.I believed him and gave him a pound.On my return a few hours later he was still at it!
I've encountered that at London termini. Like you, I feel sympathetic and, on a number of occasions, have offered to buy the 'stranded' person a ticket but, funnily enough, they always disappear on the way to the booking office.
Maybe one day I'll meet someone who calls my bluff because they know how to get a refund on an unused ticket...
being of a somewhat permanently grumpy disposition this particular group get some colourful words from me.
Manchesters bad enough with the spice rats and general homeless people up around Piccadilly Gardens never mind these aggressive (or rather forceful) organised gangs getting in your face at Victoria
One must admire the smartness that these people are able to develop in finding routes where this is viable, where enough takings are to make it all worthwhile (compare: the average salary in those countries for normal jobs is in the 5/600 EUR range, per MONTH-as anyone here never gets paid by the week, plus these are tipically people who cannot make it into normal jobs) and to feel when its time to move on etc. Also how to share out the trips made (so not to bump into others) and when the times are when most people with ´golden hearts´ sit in trains. Thus not usually morning peaks-too full and too many who do same ride every day. Thats logistics that any TOC would envy!
I've seen them many times between London and Croydon on various route.
Did the old 61016 text and nothing happens.
If they were doing face masks they’d make a bomb!
On the odd occasion I've had that one my approach has been to say I don't have any change but I'll happily buy them a ticket from a TVM in exchange for the cash they've got.
So far, no takers of my offer
None are as aggressive as the beggars/touts on the Paris metro. I once made the error at Gare du Nord of studying the route map to work out how to get to Versailles.
2 little scrotes come up asking if I want help. No I don't. Where are you going? Versailles (should have said none of you business). You take this train and change here. Yes I know, I can see that. Now give me 5 Euros. Eh what for? For information.
Told him to beat it. Fortunately I'd already bought a ticket, but he actually followed me to the barrier shouting at me to give him money.
The A406 at the sharp corner where the road off goes to Arnos Grove? Yeah, I've seen him so he's obviously a regular. Also a guy hobbling around, without crutches, near Silver Street station also on the A406, going up to cars with a cup.