TRUE STORY: ( allegedely )

Sitting in his villa somewhere in Spain is a bloke who has been taking the parking fees amounting to an estimated £400 per day at Bristol Zoo for the last 25 years...

At least he did the job lol. I cant cant stand wheel clampers, parasites that prey on confused parkers. Ok illeagal parkers should pay a release fine but that should be fixed at something like £30. as it is they charge what they want, plus towing and storage charges, ripping off dear old ladies and young mothers with children to feed etc.

I once went with a collegue to watch a football game in manchester. he parked-up in a side street about a mile from the ground, and we began to walk, a young lad of about 11 on a bike stopped at the side of us. "watch yer car for yeh, mister" he said, holding his hand out for money. my collegue walked on. I think you'd better pay him or move your car ' I said or perhaps you'll find your car damaged when we get back. he moved it onto a paying car park. No doubt the little urchin was running a protection rackett. lol

Actually, I find this story hard to believe. Certainly, over 25 years he would have been found out. I did an internet search on this story and there are many doubts to its veracity.

Just my eversohumble opinion

Good one Babs!  However, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

When I lived in Los Angeles I used to see this homeless woman everyday on my way to work and then home again. I spoke with her a few times and gave her a little money now and then, but mostly I tried to steer her in the direction of some local charities that might be able to help her.

Well, one day I realized that a week had gone by and I hadn't seen her once. I figured she had gone to one of the places I recommended and found help. Great...or so I thought. Three months later I saw her out on the street again. I approached her and asked her where she had been and how she was doing. She told me that she had earned enough money begging on the streets of L.A. to pay for a three month vacation to the Bahamas. Once there she "earned" enough money for the trip back and now she was "working" for a trip to Bermuda.

I never gave her another penny and rarely give money to anyone on the streets now. Instead I'll buy them food occasionally but no money.