Aggressive in the sense of full-on "aggressive" begging, definitely. I will be fair and say I've never felt intimidated (in terms of feeling threatened) by any of them, not even the man, it's more the relentlessness of the approach, really.

Yesterday, as I was going into the shop, she just looked at me and said, "Money?" I stopped and explained calmly and firmly (yet again) that I didn't mind buying the mag, but that I didn't like being asked for handouts every time she saw me and that I couldn't ? and wouldn't ? give her cash whenever I passed by. She obviously didn't like this, and said sulkily that she'd see me on Monday (new mag day). In an effort to be nice, I promised I'd buy a mag, and she interrupted me, sighing and then snapping, "OK, Monday", the message clearly being that if I wasn't giving her any cash, the conversation was over.

As you say, she was there again this afternoon, right at the entrance and (again to be fair) didn't push her luck by asking me. (I said a quick hello on the way in and on the way out because I really don't like blanking people.) I just hope this means she has got the message now.

I appreciate that I'm more fortunate than these people, and I'm not expecting eternal gratitude for chucking them a few quid now and again. But when I'm treated rudely or have my efforts to do the right thing thrown back in my face, it puts me off wanting to help.