THE Rev Ian Johnson's comments about beggars were most interesting and I was happy to learn that Southampton's beggars do not get too bad a deal.
I have friends who never give anything to a beggar on principle. I could not be so harsh and some of them look so pathetic that I couldn't live with myself if I didn't help a little bit.
But you do get the odd surprise. A couple of weeks ago I thrust a £2 coin into the fist of a man who nobbled me at a crossroads and his reaction was one of indignation at my meanness!
Another time, by the Thames, I gave a beggar a beautiful sandwich that I'd just paid a fortune for at Waterloo Station, and two minutes later it was floating in the river - being enjoyed by the seagulls at least!
ROBERT WATMOUGH, Southampton.
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