Many travelers to developing countries will have already experienced it: You walk through a well-known tourist city and every few meters a small child, a disabled person, or an old woman dressed only in rags asks you for a few coins.
The question always arises: should one give or not? It is not easy to give an answer. Many cities are now issuing brochures or leaflets for travelers expressly asking not to give anything to beggars. It is warned that such an artificial "labor market" will be created and that a beggar instead of doing a proper job will remain "informally" busy with his begging activities throughout his life, with no chances of getting a pension. In addition, especially in big cities and tourist centers, there are mafia-like gangs who coordinate the beggars. The treatment of "workers" is similar to that in illegal prostitution - so not particularly good.
Possible advice
- Talk to the beggar: If you have the time and inclination and have mastered the language, you should definitely start a conversation with the beggar. In this way you not only get to know your personal situation, but you can also sort out "commercial beggars" who are usually rather uncomfortable with such a conversation. Maybe you even made a new friendship after the conversation ...
- Food instead of money: Those who are really needy also accept food. For example, if a young child asks for a few coins to buy something to eat, he or she may be offered to take them out for a bite to eat (e.g. a sandwich) instead.
- In Tourist centers beggars are almost never in need, with the exception of very poor countries. You are more likely to meet honest beggars in rural regions off the beaten track. There is nothing to be said against giving something.
- Basically: The poorer the country, the more likely beggars are really in need. In richer emerging countries such as Argentina, there are social plans that allow families to eat. There they are almost always "commercial beggars" who should not be supported.
Regional particularities
Europe
Romania
In Romania, begging people primarily belong to the Sinti and Roma. These structures are due to the lack of prospects, the marginalization and the criminalization of these groups.
Asia
Cambodia
Cambodia is a very poor country with many people in need. Really needy begging people can be found astonishingly few for this. In contrast, begging has developed as a business in the tourist hotspots. Mothers with their dirty babies or children with their siblings beg every tourist who passes by. The center of this business is Pub Street in Siem Reap and the riverfront of Phnom Penh. People who are obviously really in need can be found in rural areas, for example at the bus stops. Often times the Cambodians also give these people a few riels.
Africa
North America
South America
Argentina
In Argentina there is a relatively new phenomenon in which children hand out notes asking a social organization for donations to the children. Of course, one has to ask oneself how "social" an organization can be that promotes child labor through this practice. The same applies here: it is better to invite the child to dinner.
