I always remember a lad in a seriously uncrumpled clean mac button-hole me and Mutton Chops (lapsed 'catter) with tales of sleeping rough. I watched as Mutton Chops dug into his pocket and dumped all the coins he had in the guy's hand. He's like that. I dug into my recesses and found a song out of it. About cardboard city. I give that to the guy - freely. He looked to have more work than I did at the time.

if curious, the song is on surf to "songs" > Ron Haywards Blues

No I never give to beggars, they can earn as much as me on a good pitch and they don't pay taxes (and may get dole). OK I'm cheap - I have to be I ain't got work much these days.