herself

While in Paris I was told to avoid all beggars as they are organized gypsies. But, I always feel a little quilty passing a beggar on the street, whether in Europe or in the USA. What do you do? I feel better if I keep a buch of coins in my pocket and give a few to each. Is this being dumb?

Cindy

Herself, <BR> <BR>If you are dumb, then I am dumb too. I feel awful when I pass a poor person struggling to survive when I have the resources to enjoy myself on a vacation. This feeling was most pronounced in a month-long trip to Mexico. On that trip, we deliberately kept lots of coins on us, and we gave money to everyone who asked. The peso had been severely devalued, so it cost us practically nothing and undoubtedly helped lots of indigent people.

ko

How do you really know they are indigent?

janice

I don't know, something about being in shirtsleeves and bare feet in Venice in January in 30 degree temperatures tipped me off that he lacked resources...

SharonM

When I lived in Portugal I would consistantly see many of the same beggars frequenting the same places every day, and daily, watch them rake in the coins from tourists. Many times they were begging for cigarettes. It is a shame, but I tend not to give to beggars, unless it's food or something. I've seen too many instances where able-bodied people were simply begging for their next fix. <BR>I guess it's an individual choice. <BR>I lived in Mexico City as well, and same problem there (as Cindy mentioned). Maybe when you live in these places, you tend to tune it out to a point.

livebyjfk

IGNORE THEM!!! <BR>I was in Galway for the Races in August. 37,000 people in one place. "Traveling People" (read; beggars)all over the place. My traveling companion made the mistake of putting some coins in some kid's begging cup. The kid now has the nerve to start following us telling us that what was given was not enough, shaking my companion up. In my best NEWYAWKER I said "take a hike!!! He scrammed and I got a few chuckles from the folks around me. I agree with SharonM. You become hardened by the fact that the same people are in the same place day after day shaking people down. GET A JOB!!! <BR>

Thyra

It all depends, if I am alone, and a strange man approaches me, I generally avoid eye contact and keep on walking, sometimes I give women change, if I have it. My husband gives change to people all the time, usually with a little "don't use it for drugs or booze" tag. Living in LA, I am sure that a lot of people we have given change to over the years have taken it and who knows what they've bought with it or how much they made, but that is not the point, if 2 people spent it on crack and one person bought a meal with it or one person, added it to his fortune, what matters? Like a gift it's the thought that counts.

lola

I learned this a long time ago as I began traveling and felt guilty and awful when I saw the maimed and poor. When I go on each overseas trip I give something to charity (compiled at the end of the year-- a certain amount for each trip--more when I travel to a poor country). This has become my way of dealing with the awful sadness of poverty all over the world. I do not give to beggars, and I do not feel guilty. It works for me, even in India, the worst I have ever seen.

Joanna

I too tend to feel guilty bypassing these people, but you never can tell who are the genuine needy. There are people in Sydney at the moment begging for "$60 for a train ride home to Wagga" (or wherever). Some I've seen for over a year : they would have raised enough for an o/s trip by then! - besides, the Salvos have publicly stated that they will give anyone genuinely needy the money for their trip home. The real reason for the begging is they want money to buy drugs.

steve

In Dublin, I told them to 'DROP DEAD' and enjoyed the shocked look on their faces

clairobscur

Concerning Paris (and AFAIK other west-european cities as well) there's a lot of kind of beggars. Some are indeed organized gypsies. But you notice them easily, as they wear specific gypsie attires. But the way,these ones are always women and childrens. I never give them anything, mainly because I can't accept that they force children to beg, or use them to beg.In a developed country (or at least in France), childs are always guaranteed food and shelter, whatever could be the situation of their parents.These ones are mere tools in the hands of abusive adults, who usually aren't even their parents. A second category of beggars I stay away from are those who stay during summer in very touristic streets and spots. I suspect than many of them make more money in a day than me. A third category I never give money to are people who "have no money left, have been robed, etc.. and need only 30 F to be able to buy their train ticket to their home town", already mentionned concerning Sidney (of course, whatever you could give, one hour later, the will still need 30F). Apart from these 3 categories, sometimes (most of the time, in fact) I give beggars some change (while thinking I shouldn't and should give money to charity,etc... instead) without any delusing myself about the use they will make of the money. And when I don't give anything, I feel guilty, too..

Marion

There is, or use to be, a begger in NYC who had the same 5th Ave spot for years. If you were there after a late hour each day, you could watch the miracle of his missing legs reappear. Actually, I think 90 min or some show did a segment which included him -- bottomline: he took home a $5 figure income. <BR> <BR>Personally, I feel: <BR>1)Especially in Europe with their advanced approach to universal low-cost health care, no one needs to beg. <BR>2) They are an eyesore in front of such sites as Notra Dame and a pest at the sidewalk cafe. The Administration of such sites and owners of the businesses should take agressive anti-begging measures. If these individuals really need a meal and a bed -- there's the jail, where they belong. <BR> <BR>4) My old-fashion Yankee morality kicks in: if you won't work, starve. And if that means your children starve, so be it. There are many worthy non-profit organizations deserving of your charity dollars: 2 NYC ballet companies or your local ballet troupe; public librarys; and your university for scholarships. <BR> <BR>

david west

Until three weeks ago I worked in Central London with Homeless people as a social worker. <BR> <BR>Can I please ask all tourists to Britain NOT to give money to beggars. THe main reason is that all beggars do have an income from the state (for a single man this is £52pwk plus accommodation charges paid). This isn't an awful lot. However the money that can be rased from begging isn't too bad. (typically about £30 per day, the stories about people making fortunes are largely urban myths). If you add in this £150 Pwk then you have a tax free income of £200pwk, and your rent paid, ie disposable income. Many people work very hard for less than that. <BR> <BR>Secondly in my experince (10 years +) almost all beggars have a substance abuse problem of some kind, and yes that's where your money will go. <BR> <BR>But the real problem is when you combine these two reasons. Why should someone clean up, go through rehab, detox etc if they're in a comfort zone provided by well meaning but naive people. <BR> <BR>It is very hard to pursuade some one to make the jump back into mainstream society when they have no outside pressures. <BR> <BR>If you want to support these people please give your money to charities. St Mungo's, Shelter, Crisis and the Salvation Army will all spend your money better than the man asking you for it. <BR> <BR>if you want to know whats being done at a governmental level plesae have a look at www.housing.detr.go.uk/information/rough/ <BR> <BR> <BR>

carolyn

On an orientation tour in Acapulco, our guide told us if we couldn't resist helping the children, to buy them a hamburger and a carton of milk because their father was lurking somewhere behind the scene to take any money that was given. Once here at home a little elderly woman asked me for a dollar. I gave her one, and her response was, "Would you have another one?"

Jxt

I hear they are tasty, in a light batter and deep fried. Sorry. Not tasty, tasteless. <BR>Actually, I think it is crucial that your donative intent be directed to charitable organizations that control how the money is spent and that it is spent for necessities and not drugs, etc. <BR> <BR> <BR>

herself

Thank you all for your educational responses. I may just pop a granola bar in their hands next time. Thank you, Thank you.

adeleh

I never give to a child or a healthy young person.If we give money to the children,we have accomplished nothing but teaching them to beg.I always give to the old specially in poor countries.I know they have no way of providing for thewselves.

Paul

Spit in their face.

gal

I give sometimes because I am glad I have an education, no substance abuse, good kids, a house to live, a job, and that it isn't me sitting there feeling like I have to beg to make a living. Usually, I give only a few coins. But, I give more to "beggars" who are trying to do something like play music, magic etc. Even if the person is a substance abuser, they are still in a position of "begging" to surivive, and what a sad way to have to live.

Dr. Fordor

Dear Herself, <BR>If it is your practice to keep a bunch of coins in your pocket for beggars at home and this makes you feel better, then keep a bunch of coins in your pocket when you travel and give it to those beggars that reach you somehow. I tend to travel the road lest traveled by and don't often find myself face to face with beggars, however in a months long trip this summer I had 2 encounters. One was driving by car from Florence to Venice and we stopped at a little town, devoid of toursists by all observation (the autogrille was packed so we moved on down the road), and at a traffic light, a woman came up to the car begging. We were unprepared and did not automatically respond, but her face haunts me. The other beggar was in the outdoor portion of the San Lorenzo market in Florence and I think this was a Gypsy. I did not give her anything and I think she may have cursed me. I also think she made eye contact with me and I have thought about her ever since. <BR>So my advice is, know yourself and be prepared to give if that is what you know. <BR>Dr. Fordor