geriatrix
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Post by geriatrix on Oct 6, 2016 11:56:43 GMT
I see them everywhere - on street corners, on metro stations and even inside the moving trains. People with a cup begging for a handful of coins. Some have a note explaining their unfortunate situation, often involving children that they allegedly have to provide for. Others are seemingly disabled. People cannot help having compassion for these beggars, so they give money to them. However, some cheaters pretend to be disabled or have sick children - they belong to organised gangs for whom begging has become a profession. They use fake stories or other tricks to stir people's sympathy. It is reported that 80 percent of beggars in the metro stations are cheaters. I've notice that some of them have advanced smart phones that they otherwise would have sold if they were really needy. Secondly, we can't know how the beggars use the money they receive. We assume that the content of their cups go to food and clothes. However, some of them don't buy necessities, but gamble or even buy drugs. If we give them money, we may help them commit crimes or at least support human trafficking. Some of the beggars are namely transported from their home country through an illegal network and before they are allowed to keep any money to themselves, they first have to pay the traffickers for the return trip. By then, their 3 month tourist visa could have expired, so that the entire travel has been in vain. Thus, if we really want to help the hungry or homeless, we can instead ask them what they want and then buy it for them. Although this method will take more of your time and money, it is worth it.  |
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Joey
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Post by Joey on Oct 7, 2016 2:27:38 GMT
Love the cartoon.
Dr. Phil had on one of the beggar you speak of. they live pretty much on the street but make as much as I did on a good year. Plus he paid no taxes so he was really making out well. I pass on giving in to them. It sort of makes you an enabler helping them. We saw several in Seattle and most were just wanting to buy liquor. You could tell because they were already half drunk. In DC there weren't as many but they were annoying by blocking the sidewalks. And they always seemed close to the Metro System where more people were coming and going.
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geriatrix
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Post by geriatrix on Oct 7, 2016 7:04:31 GMT
It's hard to discern the genuinely needy ones from the fake/cheaters, no matter how many posters they put up pretending to explain their unfortunate situation. I sometimes give a few coins to street musicians or buy an item from artisans; at least they demonstrate some acquired skills that deserve a reward, while a dollar to a random beggar has a good chance of ending up in a criminal pocket.  |
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deyana
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Post by deyana on Oct 7, 2016 18:37:40 GMT
Very hard to tell who is really down on their luck and which ones are fake and scamming people.
I used to give to everyone. Now I only do to those that look genuine. Hard to tell one from the other though!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2016 19:09:04 GMT
I rarely give money to a person just sitting and asking for money. I have given money to the homeless before, ones just trying to stay warm in the freezing cold and not asking for anything.
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toetapping
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Post by toetapping on Oct 7, 2016 20:03:44 GMT
I was so surprised when I first started traveling and saw so many beggars around the metros and did start giving a few dollars but these days no. You read so many stories and sadly it does make it bad for the ones that are genuine. I buy if they are selling something or playing music.
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Joey
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Post by Joey on Oct 10, 2016 7:28:48 GMT
It's hard to discern the genuinely needy ones from the fake/cheaters, no matter how many posters they put up pretending to explain their unfortunate situation. I sometimes give a few coins to street musicians or buy an item from artisans; at least they demonstrate some acquired skills that deserve a reward. If they are entertaining people walking by I'll give them money most of the time. Some are very talented and can draw a nice size crowd. |
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geriatrix
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Post by geriatrix on Oct 11, 2016 15:18:00 GMT
Some are very talented and can draw a nice size crowd. ...opposed to those rude ones that come rattling their money cup under your nose when you sit at an outdoors restaurant. One even entered a McDonald's once before I kicked him out when the staff didn't. Normally, I shout "maleducato/maleducata" at the aggressive rattlers, which is "impolite" (masculine/feminine) in Italian and close enough to Romanian for them to understand how I feel about them. |
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