Sonya - I know exactly what you mean when you say that you appreciate him not making you feel guilty. There are homeless all over the place here and some who sell what is called "The Big Issue". I'm assuming it's England's version of "Streetwise", but I've never seen Streetwise. I went through various modes of thought through the years on my approach to beggars. I used to to think as I walked through inner city Atlanta to go to school or work, that there is no way I can give out change everyday to all these people with their hands out. There's just way too many of them. At that point, I just made it a general rule to ignore them at all times. I know life must be hard for them to be out there doing that... I never have taken the notion that they were getting a free ride off of society. Anyway, later in life, I realized that my policy to protect the change in my pockets had become fairly rigid. Why not hand out change when I can? The only steadfast rules I follow now on panhandlers is 1. I don't give people change unless I am alone. 2. I don't give change to those who follow me or are anything but humble in their position. I have various reasons for both of those rules and following them allows me to hand over a couple of quid a week and have a few very, very brief pleasant conversations.