Do you give money to beggars?
By singuri
@singuri (571)
India
September 29, 2011 10:45pm CST
Generally in poor countries, it is common to find beggars. Some people give them money and some give them food. The question is do you help each and every beggar. I help those people who are handicapped, old and patients. I give those kind of people some kind of help like food , money, etc,. Now a days i am finding many beggars who have the capability to work for their daily bread. Do you encourage those kind of people? How far do you support them?
3 people like this
16 responses
@huilichan8 (1378)
• Singapore
30 Sep 11
I wld normally give to beggars, whether they approach me or not. Actually, it's not only in poor countries that you'll see beggars. You can also find beggars in my country and in Japan.
@huilichan8 (1378)
• Singapore
2 Oct 11
Ya, in Japan. That was what I saw on TV last yr. In my country, the govt doesn't believe in giving handouts. The govt's stand is that people shld be self-sufficient.
Even tho' there are many charities in my country, the eligibility criteria for financial aid are rigid and thus many people are denied the help they need. I suppose that's one of the reasons why people resort to begging. Begging is considered illegal in my country and those who are caught begging will be sent to destitute homes, which house mainly psychiatric patients and elderly people. Incidentally, young people and middle-aged people who are sent there will find it tough to live under the same roof as psychiatric patients. What's worse is that they're not allowed to leave unless they can find people who're prepared to be their guarantors.
There're those who are 'professional beggars' but I don't think there're that many who fall under this category. They are not exactly helpless, and so I don't understand why they choose to beg for a living.
@bubbletush (1332)
• Philippines
30 Sep 11
I don't give money to beggars because in our country, most beggars are run by syndicates. The money they get from begging are being collected by the syndicates who run them. I'd rather give them something to eat, but then they refuse and insisted on money.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
30 Sep 11
Having read several articles and seen news reports about how much a beggar makes a day I do not give to them. I do support street performers. If I know of somebody in my community (I live in a small community and know most of the people) that needs help I will help them.
@ravi_s2025 (510)
• India
16 Oct 11
I actually dont like giving money to beggars unless they look very miserable.A lot of them are very healthy and beg just because they dont want to work for their living.I pay them like 1rupee and if the amount is anything lesser than 1Re then they would throw it back at your face and use foul language at you.Most of them are of that kind..thats why i dont like helping them out.
@siliguri (4241)
• India
30 Sep 11
In my country you find many beggars mainly in railway station some are handicapped and some one hypocrite(capability to do work) yeah i usually help the poor people who really need the help or is not in the position he/she can do the work and earn the money for their survival.
It is absolutely wrong to give the money or any other kind of help to the persons who are not physically weak or handicapped surely it will encouragement to them and they will always remain dependent on such kind and won't do the work.
@singuri (571)
• India
1 Oct 11
I usually help the handicapped and I feel they deserve help. Let it railway station or any other place now you find them every where. The best thing to do is to hand over small children to the government care. Atleast they will learn some thing from hostels and orphan homes.
@bodhi_91 (191)
• India
30 Sep 11
I do not give a penny to some1 who has capability to work but takes up begging as a hobby. I help those who really need the money. And to them I don't merely give 1-2 INR (Indian Rupiah) , rather I give 10-20 which can really bring some difference in their life.
@00fear (3216)
• United States
1 Oct 11
I think I can figure out between the beggars and the fake ones who just want money so they won't work. In my country, I give money to those who are old and also handicap but also that are willing to work for small amount (clean my car window, shoes, etc) and I allow them to do it just to get a small about at least.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
1 Oct 11
No. I don't give money to beggars. It is just like tolerating them for this kind of activity. And besides beggars are almost always members of big syndicate so to avoid supporting the syndicate I don't give alms to beggars. I would rather just give my help to legitimate charitable institutions than to beggars on the street.
@marguicha (223795)
• Chile
30 Sep 11
I only give to children beggars. And not money, because there are grown ups who exploit them. If they ring my bell, I make a sandwich and make them eat it inside my garden, where I can see them. No coins at all. Whatwver money I can spare, I give it to institutions that I know are going a good work. Most of the beggars live better than I do
@abj163 (1037)
• India
1 Oct 11
if the beggar is a guy with no physical problem then i dont pay him a single cent..and i give some rupees to woman beggars only if i have change in my pocket..and when a kid begs me money i generally give him food by purchasing from near by shop..because if i will give him money he will give it to his parents which wont be good..!!
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
30 Sep 11
I do not help each and every beggar. But, in the past I do. I would just give them some money if I see them on the street. However, i realise also that times have changed and that there are many beggars out there that actually have the means to work. But why are they just sitting down there waiting for money to drop from the sky?
If i feel that the person has the capability to go and work, but is sitting there waiting for money, then it's a definite NO for me. I will not donate.
I do understand that my judgement might sometimes be wrong. But it's more based on my feeling at that point also.
@Triple0 (1904)
• Australia
30 Sep 11
Well for me, I sometimes see beggars that wander the streets and they seem well enough to actually walk up to you and ask for some money. Usually I just don't give them money because I have no idea about their circumstances and who knows what they'll use that money for. I only trust my donations to charities who support people who are genuinely can't support themselves. Helping charities is more legitimate than freely helping a beggar on the streets. It's also nice how charities gather up those who are homeless and they invite volunteers to come and give out food and drinks to them and have a friendly conversation.
@Carey1228 (4)
• China
30 Sep 11
In our country,begging just like a job.the handdlers abduct childen and broke their hands or legs,then make them to beg on the street.Giving money to them can't really help them.I prefer food better.
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
30 Sep 11
I discourage my kids in giving alms to beggars and tell them to do something more than what their penny can do for him. I have this group of student who volunteer to help an old lady find her relatives and have her settled in a public nursing homes. I jut believe that begging is demoralizing one's spirit and the only way to help is not by giving alms but a way to help him out of his misery.
