At the ATM

In Dublin's city centre the beggars usually choose one of a few possible strategies.

They can murmur a few words or play one single flat note on a recorder and claim they're musicians
They can just lay on the pavement in a sleeping bag and hope that people, while stepping over them, throw all their change in their paper cup
They have their kids (more often than not dressed in quite expensive Nike sportsgear) hassle you for some change.
Or they camp out next to an ATM and ask everyone if they can spare anything.

During my last visit to the ATM I was as per usual confronted with someone who would have liked some of my hard earned money. That wasn't what surprised, no shocked, me about the situation. This particular homeless drunk was ON THE PHONE. He did manage to ask whoever he was talking to to hold on for a second though while he asked me for money.

mariekschen gets cash at ATM
drunk to conversation partner: hold on a sec
drunk to mariekschen: can ya help us out loooove?
mariekschen: ehh no I don't think so pal
drunk: feckin foreigners....

detail: his phone looked a lot better than mine does....