Are you getting more philanthropic as you get older?

[Tail End Charlie]

Absolutely, I think it's only as a result of being financially secure though. I do enjoy giving things away, tools and the like, especially if the person reminds me of myself.
Coincidentally today I listened to a programme on BBC Sounds where Dr Michael Mosley reckoned that being generous has health benefits such as lowering blood pressure. I can well believe it.

Blimey, I re-read the thread as I remember contributing. Only four months later and Dr Mosley is dead.

Back to topic, I also often make things which people say "that's nice, can I buy it?". I don't want any money and always ask them to contribute whatever they see fit to a cancer charity, I don't even want to know how my much they give. Most of the stuff I make is using re-cycled wood and the cost of glues/ screws etc is peanuts so I don't really lose out.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

And yes, I don't give money out, but buy food and drink if someone needs it.

 

[Time Waster]

I am. Never used to be like this but now I find I need fewer 'things' and would just like others to benefit. Is it age related?
I've given away various bikes and other stuff.
Would like to know if others are going through the same thing.

It is partly age related. If you're of the age that you've earned good money had the ability to buy your house and are comfortably off then yes you are likely to be more philanthropic.

And giving excess bikes away is called having a clear out. You benefit as much as the recipient. Can you be called philanthropic if you're getting the benefit too? It makes me recall of the pilot who did a very brave act saving many lives at a huge potential risk to himself. When the medal review panel came back his VC recommendation was turned down because his actions saved himself a well as the others. It met all courage criteria just not self preservation.

Back on topic. Age has less to do with it than perceived comfort. If you are happy in your lot and have excess to your needs then your are more likely to give some of your excess away than someone who's having to cut back just to get by and still working all hours they can.

However, and I'll be polite here, there is a certain age range where prosperity is more common than other generation ranges. If that results in more philanthropy then separate age and prosperity to decide which is the biggest factor. That is an individual equation to look at.

Also, is supporting your own classed as philanthropy? If you're helping your kids to buy property do you call that philanthropy?

 

[Cycleops]

I think you've hit the nail on the head @Time Waster. A very good synopsis. Blimey, I'm sure a trickcyclist would have charged to tell me that.

 

[Time Waster]

I think you've hit the nail on the head @Time Waster. A very good synopsis. Blimey, I'm sure a trickcyclist would have charged to tell me that.

I'll send the invoice through!

Any freebie bikes left? 🤞

 

[Mike Ayling]

Coffee, similar to Starbucks.

Thank you

 

[raleighnut]

I've given a few things away but generally to family and mates.

 

[tyred]

Many are pros. I offer to buy them a cup of tea and a pack of sarnies - those that get arsey are pros or junkies.

I came across one who a little card explaining he was homeless, had no money and couldn't speak English. I decided to give him something so handed him the change in my pocket - about €3.

He then said it wasn't enough and he needed at least a tenner. I was very tempted to ask for my change back, ungrateful #$#@@#.

 

[Mo1959]

I came across one who a little card explaining he was homeless, had no money and couldn't speak English. I decided to give him something so handed him the change in my pocket - about €3.

He then said it wasn't enough and he needed at least a tenner. I was very tempted to ask for my change back, ungrateful #$#@@#.

We have one that plonks himself at the exit from Aldi most days. While he is pleasant, it still makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I never have cash on me anyway and I’m surprised that many people do these days, but he must be making enough to keep coming back.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

We have one that plonks himself at the exit from Aldi most days. While he is pleasant, it still makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I never have cash on me anyway and I’m surprised that many people do these days, but he must be making enough to keep coming back.

There was one locally, for a while, who could take contactless payments using a reader and a smart phone!

 

[Mo1959]

There was one locally, for a while, who could take contactless payments using a reader and a smart phone!

Someone said they saw one getting dropped off by a Mercedes one day. I think they are professional beggars, so I am not inclined to give them anything even if I was carrying cash.

 

[bikingdad90]

The problem with the “cartel” is that they have a degree of immunity, it’s not in the cps interest to charge the person on the street as it’s low level and they’d be quickly replaced but they are smart enough not to “snitch” so the leaders go undetected.

You really need those who see the vans/cars etc informing the authorities of when, where the description etc so that they can collect intelligence and mount a raid.

It’s like the organised car theft gang who put a L plate on the stolen car on the truck… no one suspects it and assumes the learner driver has had the car seized/buying it to learn in.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Someone said they saw one getting dropped off by a Mercedes one day. I think they are professional beggars, so I am not inclined to give them anything even if I was carrying cash.

'Professional' Implies they're making a lot out of it, which I doubt in most cases: they're often deeply in debt to whoever is sending them out on the streets. They'll be shaken down when they're collected, and told they can't go to the police because they'll be arrested and (insert horror story here) because they're illegal immigrants.

 

[Mo1959]

'Professional' Implies they're making a lot out of it, which I doubt in most cases: they're often deeply in debt to whoever is sending them out on the streets. They'll be shaken down when they're collected, and told they can't go to the police because they'll be arrested and (insert horror story here) because they're illegal immigrants.

The same guy has been outside Aldi for at least a year now. I’m sure if he was an illegal immigrant he would have been checked out and dealt with by now.

 

[Drago]

There was one outside our Lidl last week. I've arrested him before so know he's just generally a bad 'un for all sorts of reasons.

Being in the dibble you figure out fairly quick who is a pro, who is in the position because of their own behaviour, and who is genuinely homeless through no fault or their own or at the bottom because of MH issues etc.

There was one guy, Thomas, who'd been successful in business and had a breakdown when his wife left him and lost the lot. Obvious MH problems and no one helping the poor bloke. We'd take him "expired" but still perfectly edible bits from the canteen that were being binned, and one winter me and another lad from RPU bought him a Mickey D's breakfast and a hot coffee one cold and frost morning (the other lad did it again for another guy, long after I'd left, and made the national media.) He got badly beaten up one night and we never saw him again, often wonder what became of him.

But I always offer to buy them food. It can't be spent on Scrumpy Jacks or drugs, and doesn't give profit to any handlers they might have in the background. If they're a genuine hard-up case they'll always be grateful for it.