Rose

The ones who get me are the beggars in Florence who kneel on little pillows and look to the sky with their hat out. Get's you right in the throat... the beggar I didn't but was the pitiful old lady in front of the Pantheon dragging her back leg, and looking like she was on her last legs. I was right, I saw her an hour later straight near the Trevi fountain...

Heather

I used to feel guilty about beggars until... <BR> <BR>I gave a man some leftover food from lunch that I had been planning to have as my lunch for the next day (to save money - I was in college). He threw it back at me and said, "Not food, money!" <BR> <BR>I had a man approach me at the gas station and demand money from me. When I refused, he berated me about how can I have the money to fill up a car, but I didn't have money to give to him. My response was "Credit Card."

Gina

I usually don't give to people on the street either here or abroad; I feel it's easier to make sure money given actually *goes* to a good purpose when I give it to an organized charity like Habitat for Humanity or a battered women's shelter. <BR> <BR>But I made an exception once. Two years ago I was in London with my parents and Mom and I were walking near Piccadilly, on our way to Fortnum and Mason's to watch the clock do its thing at the top of the hour. This was early on a Sunday morning. As we walked around Piccadilly Circus, we saw three teenagers huddled in a doorway; a boy in the middle and two girls leaning against him. They all three looked absolutely lost and haunted; couldn't have been more than 15 or 16. There was no way either of us could walk past them, so we gave them a ten-pound note and suggested that they buy some breakfast. The boy's jaw dropped and he said something like "Thanks, luv"; the two girls both looked shocked but didn't say anything. One of them looked like she was about to cry. <BR> <BR>Yeah, I know, they were undoubtedly addicts, and the money just as likely went to their next fix as breakfast. But they weren't begging or chasing us down for money, just huddled in a doorway trying to keep warm and sleep. And something about them just would have followed me forever if we hadn't given a little. Come to think of it, something about them did anyway.

Suzanne

Is there a difference between the beggars and the musicians that play on the street or on the metro?

Pam

I ONLY give food. If I don't have something with me I will go to the nearest 'quick food' restaurant and buy something for the person. <BR> <BR>Reactions to this type of giving varies some just want money and will reject food others seem truly appreciative for food. I guess the saying is true..."beggars can't be choosers." <BR> <BR>

SharonM

Suzanne, <BR>If I actually stop and listen to a street performer I will give a bit of change to them. I guess the difference to me is that they are actually trying to "work" for money and using their talents towards that means. That is, they are making some kind of effort...

Cindy

SharonM, the street performer tip routine is a tricky one. I usually tip if I stop to enjoy the music or if I am just blown away by the quality of it (an excellent string quartet in the D.C. metro once, can you believe it?). But I don't tip the people who get on the train and do the old play-n-panhandle routine. Aaargh!

SharonM

I agree, Cindy! <BR>I've seen some awesome street shows, then I've seen some reeeeeeeally pitiful ones! <BR>I TIP for a good performance... <BR>To me, that's different from begging.

Faith

I know it sounds awful, but you have to be wary of beggars. I was in Egypt not long ago, and found that instead of begging, many children would sell small packages of tissues (toilet paper is scarce). I made the mistake of buying some from a little girl, and she ended up following me for an hour begging for more. I later saw her give her money to a man that was running a very prosperous carpet shop. So go with your conscience, but don't be afraid of putting your foot down, either.

tiptop

tipper

Wee Zh

I just returned from trip to Rome & Paris and encountered beggars too. I guess one has to use his/her own intuition/judgement. I thought to ignore all the beggars (which I did in most cases when I feel they are fakes/crooks) but did give some change to a thin old lady in Rome and a elderly man who had a puppy on his lap (must admit the puppy caught my attention first) whose legs were amputated at the kneecaps. Most beggars I ignore are those who looked abled body to work for money and of course the "gypsies" who operate in groups and are pretty good at pretending to be tourists themselves. They go around in groups so it's not difficult to detect them. Basically, if someone comes up to you with some sob sob stories be on full alert. The aggressive ones, just tell them you know someone who can help - the cops. Anyhow, they pick easy targets so if you are doubtful - show it! Maybe because Bruce Lee is famous and I'm chinese so they normally don't bug me too much.