Beggar on the bus

I would probably not have offered any cash - though these sorts of decisions are often made in the heat of the moment and based on a gut feeling - but in normal circumstances it would not have entered my mind in that particular scenario that he might produce a gun or a knife!
Am I too innocent, having never actually lived in a town or city?

NotSpaghetti. I have never forgotten learning that a friend some 30 years ago always carried a few coins in her pocket for that purpose. She had worked in London, so was used to being asked for money, and while she was kind enough to sometimes give some, she was wise enough not to think of getting out her purse in some isolated subway. Still good advice, I think, for those who do still carry some cash on them.

I keep change in my pocket and give to some who are entertaining us with music and songs. Also to one very old bloke who sits on a step in town and calls out spare change. Also a lovely man who sells the Big Issue outside M & S. He once asked me if I would mind taking his m& S voucher and give him the cash instead. I promised him I wouldn't run off with it but I'd have to get a £10 note from the ATM in M&S. We laughed and I said I don't suppose a pair of boxer shorts was big on his need list.No he said. It might feel a bit different if you are stuck on a bus though.

Few years back, there was a older lady trying to get money off people, she stationed herself by the cash point.
Not sure she got much though.

I often give people money.
I give to homeless and alcohol/drug charities too.

I used to deliberately keep a coin or two in my pocket in case I wanted to give it to someone.
I don't like getting my wallet out really but having worked with drug/alcohol useless and the homeless I don't think they are really so different to the rest of us.

I am always running the gauntlet of charity muggers sitting just outside Shop doors. I sweep past because I never have coins on me and if you explain this to them, they say they accept card payments. Consequently, I get the dead eye.
The point is you really shouldn't ask for money these days, as many do not carry cash and there is real fear from being accosted for money.

Some years ago I did give some cash to a young chap who approached me with a ‘desperate’ story about needing the bus fare to a town a few miles away, where his child was ill in hospital.

I almost knew it was a scam, but gave what he asked anyway - no more than £3.

A few months later I was on a bus with my sister, when he got on and sat a couple of rows ahead. I recognised him immediately, and evidently he recognised me too.
When he got off a few stops later, he gave me a long, smirking look on the way out. It said as clearly as anything, ‘Yes, it was me! And yes, you were a right mug to fall for it!’

I have both card and cash on me
I might have given him a pound I think

Witzend

How many of us carry cash nowdays? I rarely have any coins.

I do. I often give a pound or two out.

A while back I was in a conference in Dublin, at the break I took a wander and was approached by a young man tidying dressed who asked for a few euros, I asked him the reason and he said he had locked himself out of his car by leaving the keys etc in the car and shut the door, he needed to get the luas(tram) home to get the spare key, of course I gave him the fare, and I would have given that young man a pound or two , I have 2 young sons and would hate if no one helped them in time of need,

A very dodgy situation as you had no idea what his mental state was. I think if I had a purse on me with just coins I'd maybe have got a £1 coin out to appease him. I would not have got a purse/wallet with notes or bank cards out, in case he snatched it.

How many of us carry cash nowdays? I rarely have any coins.

ps he was very polite too.