I felt like a tightwad.
She came up to me as I walked along the high street one rainy Sunday afternoon.

"Excuse me soul. Me and mah baby here " (waves hand vaugely in direction of pram) " we're homeless, could you please spare us some change?"

Now I would normally have given her something, but I didn't have any cash on me, and I also noticed that she was quite well dressed. She wore a large black jumper, clean blue jeans, and looked plain but quite healthy. She certainly didn't look like a beggar.

"I'm sorry love, I've no money on me. But I've got a cigarette if you want?"
"Nooh, ah don't smooke. Ah well, ne'er mind. God bless ye' soul."

I've never met a beggar that doesn't smoke before.

So, odd Scottish lady, I hope you managed to find somewhere to stay.
(Half of Stephen Fry's right buttock pissed on your dog on, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 15:06, 1 reply)

I was accosted by two proto chavs on Regent Street in Cambridge many years ago.
They asked me for money to "feed the baby"

I pointed out that they were far better dressed (those labels aren't that cheap even off the market)than I was and enquired where exactly was the baby that needed feeding?

If you are going to plead motherhood and poverty it helps to have a child with you!
(cmouse is pondering about life in other jobs, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 9:03, closed)