Feeding to that beggar was right or wrong ?

@Rohit20 (327)
India
May 11, 2007 3:19am CST
Passing by a railway station ,I saw a beggar who seemed physically disabled,as his hands were postourously tilted ,he was badly whining due to pain and hunger. Due to mercy ,I gave him some money and bread that I was carrying with me. After one hour when I returned through same way ,I was stunned to see that the same beggar was gossiping and clapping with his friends.I felt guilty and was about to go to ask him,but perhaps I could not put myself to that level so, I quit. How would you react to such situation? Do you give to beggars in general?
10 people like this
24 responses
@dbeast (1495)
• India
12 May 07
it can be really frustrating to see things like this happen.people like these really give a bad name to the really needy people.i have always believed never to give money to the needy.i rather buy them food.some people force their kids to beg for the sake of money even when they are completely able.these kinds of practices needs to be stopped.
1 person likes this
@Rohit20 (327)
• India
12 May 07
Correct, those who are in actual need are getting bad names,because I might see them with suspicion. Forcing kids to beg is punishable crime and I would report to police ,if I ever find such notorious practice in my society.
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
11 May 07
U did it to be nice, and he probably betrayed that. I have learned not to gove beggers money. I will give them food though. I have taken many of them to Mcdonalds and had them order what they want, paid and then left. If u give them money it is abit unsure what they will actually do with them
1 person likes this
@Rohit20 (327)
• India
11 May 07
That's nice gesture that you are so genrous with them.But be concious to whom you are rewarding like that.
• India
12 May 07
As to me what you did is a great thing..but that beggar misuse his ability for that he will be paying sometime and for that you don't feel regret what you did is a good job and don't feel guilt for that be happy that you have done a great job..its nice that you have not gone there and asked him..because you have done your work let god do his job... if i were at your place even i have done the same thing and have not gone back to him and asked for answer as i have to help the beggar i have done and if he is doing wrong god will see him through and you don't worry about it friend In general i do give to beggars help them ..by giving some change..if i had it i would surely give some to beggars which i feel nothing is wrong but giving to those who are capable of earning on their own but they do beg for them i mostly avoid to give because i think by giving to them we are encouraging such people...
1 person likes this
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
11 May 07
Yes, I do but on a selective basis...if I see that the beggar really is in great need, I do...but if I see that they are physically fit to work, I don't...What you experienced was frustrating because some people just fake their disability just to make money. That's why these days, we can't blame people for not being too generous and for being suspicious of beggars...who knows they might be swindlers or holduppers in the guise of begging. If I were in your place, I would have done the same--I won't confront him, but just learn a lesson from it.
@Rohit20 (327)
• India
11 May 07
I agree with your remark,as I learned lesson from that beggar. Now before giving , I think consciously to whom I am giving.
@maemaemae (341)
• Philippines
11 May 07
i think the bread was ok but the money? i don't think so..i have heard someone telling me before that a beggar was hit by a bus and was unconcious..when the authority searched his pockets he had a lot of money with him...i don't know...i am confused too...sometimes i give to beggars...but rarely...i think that giving them will just encourage many abled poor people to beg instead of working....
1 person likes this
• India
11 May 07
Its a good reply and i appreciate the way you think.
• United States
12 May 07
You gave from a pure heart. You aren't responsible for his misuse of your gift.
1 person likes this
@nill_07 (1104)
• Bangladesh
22 May 07
Feeding the beggar is always good. They really live a inhuman life.. everybody of us should come forward to solve this problem. For you, it is matter of cheat but you have no reason to feel guilty because.. "dog has done his work, it has bitten on leg but it is not humanly to bite the dog". Hi, Rohit20 never feel guilty about that you have done the great work & of course you will be rewarded from your Creator today or tomorrow & of course the beggar will receive perfect anwser from his creator because He (Creator) most greatest justice & also merciful too. Few times if some beggar's perspective hurt so much then I bear food for them otherwise I remain happy to provide them some money.
@rb200406 (1824)
• India
11 May 07
Actually what you did was in right intention.you wanted to help him.now it was not your fault.it is true that some people just beg because they don't want to do work.so giving them money will encourage them to beg.actually you should give them food.but still i think we should help poor even if they cheat us.this is because our intentino is right.
1 person likes this
@a_ce_e (1422)
• Philippines
12 May 07
Maybe if i am in the situation, i will think it in positive way. Just like whenever i gave money to my little niece whenever she ask for a penny and how glad she is to receive it in able for her to buy a candy. Same with the beggar, i might be thinking he is happy that he and his friends has something to share with. They have joy in their heart that they got kindness from you, and it helps them to feed their stomach even for just awhile. In some cases, i do giving money to beggars but not always. I prefer giving food than money, as i had experienced giving money and found them go on gambling. Sometimes, i do asking why he/she is begging before i give something.
@Rohit20 (327)
• India
12 May 07
Hi,seems you have a good heart.I appriceate those who think positive. And, I mean it this positive thinking that helps us out of unpleasant situation.. I thought positively that day and overcome the rage I had that day.
@ellie26 (4139)
• Malaysia
11 May 07
I think the beggar was so happy to receive money and food from a good samaritan like you that he just want to share his good fortune with his friends. Personally, I do give money to beggars because I felt pity with them, other times, I give money because I want them to beg from me while I am having my meal.
@Rohit20 (327)
• India
11 May 07
Yes we have pity feeing for beggars in our heart,but sometimes it hurts when such incidents occur.Any way we shouldn't put ourselves to their level in any case.
@sabwinner (499)
• China
11 May 07
No, rohit. They are not deserve your kindness. You know what, they beggars around the railway station are probably fake. They have an organization who arranged the show. The beggars have to turn in their money everday for their "boss". So, it's kind of business on 0 cost! They just used our misably.
@Rohit20 (327)
• India
11 May 07
You might be corrrect as I am not aware of any such organisation.
@kumbarn14 (735)
• Pakistan
14 May 07
I have faced such situations even with little children, now I only give to beggars who are very old and cannot act or walk into a poor home in the neighbourhood and give the old people who requires to go to doctors,buy medicine or something to eat.
@fazelath (1174)
• India
22 May 07
Feeding a beggar who is physically disabled is ok,i would not give to a healthy one as he can work to earn,if a disabled beggar can't earn then i surely give him money or food,but some are frauds we can't make out sometimes,
• United States
12 May 07
I would of done the same thing. It's human nature to help someone in need, it's just too bad that there's always going to be someone out there who will take advantage of people who are willing to help. I don't usually see any beggars, being from a small town and all. You're still the better person and should feel good about that. If it was me, that instance would stick in mind everytime I saw a beggar, so I doubt if I would do it again. No one wants to be made a fool out of, at least not over and over again for the same thing. I know that's not the way to be.
1 person likes this
@akotalagato (1334)
• Philippines
12 May 07
i dont usually give money to beggars because of the prevalence of gangs behind the beggars. most beggars are just being used by gangs and they dont get what they beg. it is better to just give food but only to children beggars. i believe that able-bodied men should not beg. they should work.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
11 May 07
Hi Rohit I would have done the same thing. I feel really sorry for those kind of people. And I probably wouldnt have said anything to him after I found out he wasnt really a begger. But this teaches us so now I wouldnt do it again. And I hope it has taught you a lesson to.
• United States
12 May 07
what you did from your side was right but nowadays you need to be more careful while helping beggars because they earn much more then a common man also they own properties in good localities which i had read in a newspaper just recently,for begging they do come in rickshaws and they have a specified area where they beg.I do give them money
• Canada
11 May 07
This is a difficult one for me. I see so many beggars on the streets of Vancouver, and sometimes it's hard to tell who's genuinely in need and who isn't. Most times you can tell by those who're wrapped up in blankets asleep on the streets, and I have no problem with giving food to those. If I don't have any spare food with me, I will give a little spare change, but not both. I think what you did was right. Giving food to that Beggar must have lifted his spirits. Perhaps he hadn't had so much to eat for a while. Wanting to share his good fortune he probably shared the food with his friends and enjoyed a chat at the same time.
• United States
12 May 07
I make it a point not to give to beggars, because i've met people that are rich that fake that stuff. However if by some chance I had decided to and that had happened, i'd probably get in his face about it. I'm not the one to give my family's food to someone who's not really more needy than I. If he wants to fake it i'll give him a reason to beg, you know what i mean?
@touchnshine (2821)
• India
13 May 07
If by "give money to beggars" you mean "kick them really hard", yes, yes I do. and if they are handicapped and using a crutch, I will pry that from them and beat them with it. In all honesty, I stopped carrying cash and I don't give money to beggars. I used to when I was a bleeding heart liberal... until our office was by a park where a bunch of wastes of air would just hang out all day smoking joints and guzzling cheap booze. I lost all sympathy for the homeless... them trying to start fights with my co-workers and I on our daily Circle K runs probably influenced my opinion.