Do you give money to beggars?
 

Hi

My hometown Stavanger is quite small and in the past there has been no beggars around. Well, occasionally I would run into a drunk that would ask for money for the "bus" but apart from that there has been no beggars. All of a sudden there are about 10 beggars in town and people are a bit shocked. People suspect that it is organized since they all come from Hungary and Romania. The worry is of course that the money that are being given end up in the organizers hands and not in the pockets of the beggars. Do you give money to beggars in your home town? Do you give money to beggars when you are travelling? I have heard horror stories about beggars in Rome and how they use small babies to claim that they have no money to eat or how they "kidnap" kittens to gain sympathy.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

I almost never give money to beggars and the reason is that it contributes to making this "line of work" into a more viable option. Whether it is organized or not, contributing to it just increases the incidence of beggars.

Depends. I do more here than whilst on hols, mainly because I know the bullshit issues here better than on hols.

There's really no point trying to be consistent about this.

The standard - and officially recommended - answer most of us give to this answer in Britain's bigger towns is "no, but I buy The Big Issue". Just like Sheila, I think I can recognise the con merchants at home. And I'm pretty confident about the "beggars" in a lot of tourist hotspots.

But I don't know for sure. And, ultimately, what's worse: that someone who really does need a pound or two that I can afford doesn't get it? Or that I give away a pound or two that I can afford to someone who's part of a professional ring?

No-brainer. Use your head by all means. But ultimately, we're on this earth to help ewch other. If in doubt, give.

Yes, I do. While I am not a religious person, I do believe that "There but for the grace of God go I." And it is hard for me to ignore Christ's admonition in Matthew 25: 35, 40, "“For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in...Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

I don't mean to be preachy, but that line of thought was drilled into me growing up. There are times I don't give - when I am pressed for time or when I feel intimidated. But most times, if I have it, they've got it, more so when I am traveling and feel it would be shameful for me to enjoy luxury while there are poor people doing without.

Why not donate to a shelter for the homeless instead of directly to the beggar? That way you know your money will go toward food and lodging rather than alcohol or drugs. A quick Google search showed many charities for the homeless who would welcome your support.

I remember giving money to a guy outside the grocery store near my sister's home last summer. It was sweltering hot, and he looked much the worse for wear. Looked like he could have been a Vietnam era vet and looked like he was hoping to buy a drink. I was glad to help him out. Had life turned out differently, that could hat could have been me.

I do give to programs for the needy. However, it is important to me to feel that direct connection with another person on the street, one human being helping another, face to face, making no judgments, not trying to evangelize him, not trying to decide how he ought to live, but just sharing his pain for a moment.

No -- unless they have a dog, and they are sharing a blanket or pillow with said dog. Then I just can't help it.

Those kittens that are clearly not comfortable with their "owners" though...it makes me literally sick to my stomach. I've never figured out how to snatch the kitten away without getting killed or arrested, or just what I'd do with the kitten once I'd rescued it. Any ideas?

There but for the grace of God go I...

But then, as Ogden Nash observed, it is equally true that there but for the grace of God goes Jimmy Durante or Aimee Semple MacPherson or Dr. Wellington Koo...

Never, ever.

Meant to add that most of my charity donations goes to my local, non-government funded animal shelter & other animal charities.

No, since in almost any country in Europe anybody can get wellfare who really needed.

I very inconsistent about this. Living in London, I'm often confronted by beggars and most of the time, I admit, I'm pretty cold hearted about this. Perhaps it's my 'commuter' frame of mind, so mostly I walk past, grumbling to myself that there's plenty of work in London (legal or otherwise) for anyone prepared to work.

I also admit that I'm particularly hard hearted about the eastern european beggars who have appeared in recent years, begging on the Tube whilst carrying a baby. Using children to coerce people has the reverse effect on me.

But I meet the odd beggar who's so nice and charming, and polite even when people ignore them, that I can't help but dig out my purse. And I don't care if they spend it on drink. Life needs some small pleasures.

We have about the highest income tax in the world in Belgium, and a good social security system. There is no need to beg on the streets, and I believe giving money only encourages more beggars.
I do support local charities, especially those for women and children.

Never, and once I made that decision, my life did, indeed, get a lot simpler.

I have, on occasion, bought a sandwich for a beggar.

Makes much more sense to give one's money to shelters and such.

That said, I think that ragged, filthy women with babies or crippled elderly people on subway steps in Mexico City are heartbreaking. I really don't know if the institutions to help the many thousands like them are in place in the "developing world". I doubt it...

I wonder what a beggar's view of "the grace of god" might be.

Last December in Prague it struck me that there can hardly be any line of work that would be more difficult on a person than begging there. The beggers there are prostrate face down on the ground and stay in that position four hours on end (In the Prague Pictures posting there was a picture if you haven't seen them). It was cold in the evening and they were lightly dressed. Some were obviously shivering. They can't be doing it because of laziness. It didn't seem to be lucrative either.

I'm inconsistent on this as well. A few times, I've offered my extra doughnut or other item of food and been refused. I think that's soured me a bit.

If I'm out for an evening of fun and drink, I'm usually feeling pretty generous and will give to anyone who asks, hehe.

Begging is a business. A Warsaw, Poland paper reported: Currency dealer amazed at the size of coin exchanges made every Monday by male 'Gypsies'.

In Europe begging is often a way to get you to reveal where you are carrying your money or to distract you. Others you don't see are watching.

Europe has an extensive network of public and private assistance to those in need.

I rarely give money to beggars but I will buy them food if they're hungary.

The other day I saw a young college student counting change to buy gas and I threw in a few bucks. He didn't ask and I got the instant reward to see his face go from worry to great relief. That was money well spent.

Yes I do. Not every person in every place, but often.

This same question was posed on the xpats.com forum (geared toward expats in Belgium) and here were the respondents' views:
http://www.xpats.com/polls/polls_dis...on&id=MzYx

No, never, not at all. The same goes for those unknown charities that have people with cans going up to stopped cars at traffic lights.

I only give money through my church or charities I know well, such as the Salvation Army.

Keith

At home in San Francisco area, when I go into town I always buy a copy of the "Street Sheet," a small newspaper put out by homless or down and out folks and sold for a dollar. It encourages productive activity and legal entrepreneurship. (It's also my "get out of jail free" card for the rest of the evening.)

Beyond that I don't give cash; I worked in the community mental health system long enough to suspect where the money was going. I have bought meals for people begging, however, when that's what they wanted.

When traveling, I am less inclined to do so for reasons mentioned above, i.e., I don't know the scams from the ones genuinely in need, And I agree that it has the potential to encourage the practice. I will generally give to what look like legitimate causes campaigning on the streets (diseases, local charity drives) in other countries and we do donate pretty extensively at home to local groups.

I would never give to those who follow you around and get in your face about it. I was moved by someone I saw in Prague. She was kneeling by the door of a church. She was very old, her head bowed in a very uncomfortable position and wasn't moving at all. She never made eye contact or made a sound. Her palms were raised to receive anything we felt we could part with. Her poverty seemed very sincere.

I'm inconsistent on this one, I admit. I normally give to charities I know. If some one is pestering me for money? No, never. But the ones who simply hold out a cup? If I have spare change quickly available, I sometimes toss it in. What the heck, I figure.

I saw a begger in Seville, Spain. He was missing both legs and one arm. But that was about the only time I gave money.

Generally I do more volunteering than giving money though I support a few causes with cash. I almost always throw some coins into the cases of street musicians.

Bill

Living in San Francisco, I see a lot of different types of begging, from sidewalk performers to old people in wheelchairs. Who get out of those wheelchairs at the end of their shift to walk home.

Generally, I send checks to charities. Also volunteer.

On the home turf: I will only give food and drinks, hardly money. This weeds out those who ask for money under the guise of getting food.

Now, call me a cynical NYer, but I see the begging everyday since I was little. I know most of us are fortunate to have the money to travel, let alone the basic necessities to survive, and I'm thankful for that. And I also know that there are some who just have endless bad luck, and constantly compounded it could lead you down the homeless and hungry road.

I feel sad for them during extreme weather conditions, but there's only so much I can do for them before I go broke myself, and I only have so much time to volunteer as work has sucked away any trace of my social life. I will never hesitate to ask them what they want to eat and drink, and would rather spend my money providing them the basic necessity than give money to someone who might spend it on other things.

As for beggars abroad...I'm not sure, but the elderly melt my cold NY heart.

Faina, too funny! I've seen that too. If only the city folks here be allowed to start a thread, what's the funniest "homeless" act you've seen? :D

Miami had a lot of begging in the streets, especially 'window washers' who would jump to your car and wash the window when you exited the highway, without asking, then ask for a dollar in payment. I ignored these, as I never asked for the service.

I have frequently given away food I had (a banana, a sandwich, a soda) to those on the side of the road. I rarely, if ever, give cash. I will give whatever change i have on hand (usually a big handful) to firefighters and the like collecting for charities.

In foreign climes, I will toss a donation to anyone who is performing street music, as I love music and consider that an addition to the ambience, and my travel experience. Much better to encourage people to work for the money by adding to the beauty of the world!

I won't give in to anyone who actively accosts me, though. To me, that's downright rude, uncalled for, and probably a scam.

Several people have mentioned street performers in this thread. I almost invariably give these people money.

However, I don't see them as beggars but rather as people offering a legitimate service for which one may choose to pay or not.

It depends on the situation. Across the street there is an pedestrian underpass. On weekends there are always one or two people playing (awfully poor!) music. They're always where most people have to pass. Right under one big! sign "No begging, loitering, or playing music, this area is designated to public traffic. City of Munich"

Now would you leave money in such a situation?

Nope, not if it is specifically against the law there. Only law-abiding beggars, please!

And yes, I consider 'busking' to be on a much higher level than 'begging'. Also, begging for a cause (like the firefighters) are on a higher level than begging for yourself (because they are much more likely to be doing so honestly).

My rule of thumb with beggars in general:

Yes to veterans, women or children or obviously physically handicapped people.

No, to healthy adult males (except veterans).

In Europe, I am more careful and wary of scams and threats of robbery.

Never and my son walks by and says "get a job."

Powell- as for women and children, in Nice there are several women holding small kids who are totally passed out on their lap. I watched as a women with a boy about 3 years old changed his nice shirt to a torn dirty one. Then she put a scarf on her head and changed her facial expression to total pitiful. It is a scam.

>It is a scam
This is were you should call the police. It doesn't happen in Munich anymore since the woman is guilty of child neglect and the child will be taken to a foster home. Very effective and helpful to the kid.