I'm not usually a fan of charity except as a true emergency measure.

Because charity requires an unequal relationship between the patronizer and patronized. As such, it's a way to accept and allow inequality to perpetuate whilst continuing to feel good about oneself. What's worse is this unequal dynamic can be addictive for both sides.

This can be true for entire nations.

Therefore when I'm not in a rush and someone asks me for spare change. I say;

"I don't believe in charity so I'd like to pay you £2 if you listen to me vent out loud for ten minutes".

For ten minutes I rant and rave and say "You're too good for this. Why have you let the world tell you that you have to settle for the scraps others give you? You have a unique role to play in this world. Don't ever allow anyone to tell you otherwise. Get out there and make your mark. Blah, blah, blah...

When I'm finished, I say "Thank you so much! I feel so much better now because those words were actually directed toward myself".

I pay them their well-earned two quid for a job well done. (Usually, they look confused.)

Yes, I may have been "patronizing" but it was not charity. It was an upfront fair exchange of money for services between two equals.