I've done this in the past. When I used to travel by train (and live in England) I spent a lot of time waiting at London train stations. If my train wasn't imminent and I was approached I would offer to buy the beggar a meal at any of the concessions in the station.
In contrast to Stallman's experience, I was never rebuffed - occasionally asked to go outside the station to get vegetarian food (seemed reasonable to me) and once asked if I could also buy food for someones girlfriend as well (chutzpah pays!). Some of these people where interesting, some less so, just the same as any random sample of the human race.
I don't find myself in those situations in my current living/working situation, but I like to keep my mind open to these possibilities
If they're walking up to you on the platform and you're offering them free food of their choice (within reason), why not? Whereas if they're in a good, high-traffic, spot, they might not want to give it up for the free food.
I had a guy run up to me just as I was getting on the bus to ask if I could spare fare for him too. I dug it out and handed it over and he turned around and walked off. I thought that was pretty funny, especially as the fare was a quarter.
In contrast to Stallman's experience, I was never rebuffed - occasionally asked to go outside the station to get vegetarian food (seemed reasonable to me) and once asked if I could also buy food for someones girlfriend as well (chutzpah pays!). Some of these people where interesting, some less so, just the same as any random sample of the human race.
I don't find myself in those situations in my current living/working situation, but I like to keep my mind open to these possibilities