beggars???could you trust a beggar knock on your door???

Trust your instincts and your heart. I easily get touched by those kind of people, they alms for their daily needs such as food. But there are also some scams and mafia in these, especially those with a baby that they held while walking on the streets begging for alms. One time there was this guy about 20, he wipes peoples shoes for a living. And this is what he said "Give me alms, I rather do this than steal. It's for my family so that we could eat later." Though I don't believe him, I gave him 5 pesos because I was so scared at him.

Yes, they are human beings and as long as they are polite and respectful to me I will treat them the same way. As to knocking on my door, well, I distrust any stranger knocking on my door. I had a bad experience where a sales guy tried to push his way in and past me and my husband, whom he didn't think would be home, shoved him right out again telling him to take a hike or else. I always talk to anybody I don't know through window first to see what they want. If it would be a beggar I would see what we could share (food, water, clothes) but would only with great care open the door and shove the things out. You just never know if the person really came to just beg for a handout or wants to break in;)

* Don't be too polite with the beggars. They may try to take advantage of your politeness. Be very firm and tell them to leave you alone. * Do not give alms to those who come with the photograph of some gods. They just try to fool you in the name of God. * Give alms to only the handicapped people or those who are too old as they are really in a pitiable condition. * It is advisable not to give any money in alms to small children. You may give them something in kind like some food. * If you are in temple, you may give some parshad to the beggars sitting outside. * Do not give too much money to a beggar, especially at the traffic lights or at the temple. Otherwise, the other beggars will keep on bothering you for a long time. * Give alms in the range of Rs. 2 to Rs. 10. More alms should be given only in an exceptional case.