Most times you see them with placards telling you why they need money. I have seen quite a few interesting ones and these are the ones I remember:
"I am a vampire slayer, I need $$ for silver and a stake"
" I need money for beer"
"I just got out of jail, lost everything. A dollar would help"
"Need money to feed my pets"
Then there are those who come directly up to you asking for money for the bus fare. These people normally ask for an exact amount of money, Like 'Hey can you spare 2 dollars?"
One thing I realized is that the ones that come up to you actually tell you exactly what they want and how much they need. I have even been asked for $5 for lunch!
There are times that I just give what they ask, and sometimes I politely decline
I remember this one time I was on a train in Atlanta, and there was this man who was going round all the compartments asking for $5 because he had been on the train for 4 days and he didn't have money to pay the fare so he couldn't get off the train.
Sometimes I wonder why young energetic men have to resort to begging, and I ask myself why they cant take advantage of the 'opportunities' in America.
Begging in Ghana is not very different, most people sit by the road side with a small bowl, and some of them would solicit for money when you walk by. Also some people beg in buses before it gets full.
There is also this particular young guy in Accra that I used to see on my way from work, the guy speaks very good English and he dresses up well. His story is that he is a student of the University of Ghana, and that he came to visit a friend but lost his wallet, so he needs money to get back to campus. He normally targets workers who are driving back home in the slow moving traffic of the evening rush hour. I am not trying to knock his hustle but maybe he should consider a different route, because we had encountered him about 3 times and it we even tired of him following our car and repeating the same story. I am writing this incase he is reading.
Most times I only give when I naturally feel some sort of empathy for the person begging.
How do you deal with beggars? Have you ever been scammed by someone begging for money? What are some of the interesting placards you have seen requesting for money?
I have been scammed pretty well here in 9ja and most times I give them even when I actually know that their story is been fabricated most of those times I give them my last kobo N100 or 50 first they would compliment you on what your wearing or your looks then they dish out their story afterall God loves cheerful givers
ReplyDeleteSo funny. Vampire?
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I used to think there were no beggars in developed countries when I was still in Nigeria until I came to England. I have been scammed in England. I remember giving some money to a young lad because according to him, he lost his bus pass and needed money for transport. guess what? The following week I saw him at the bus stop (didn't recognise me) and he asked me for money for bus pass again.He even did the same to my
ReplyDeletefriend lol
Here in nigeria,begging takes all form and manner. From the woman with triplets sitting at d bustop begging for money to feed her babies,to the well dressed guy asking for money to pay his tfare cos he lost his wallet,the gaunt looking man who just got out of prison to the disabled man or blind woman praying for God to bless u even as u bless her etc. But I always try to give to those disabled persons cos I know their chances of earning a living is slim. So,america is not all paved with gold and flowing with honey like we think? But I tot the government has so many welfare packages for poor people unlike here in nigeria? Na wa oh
ReplyDeleteThere is one particular woman in sabon gari market in kano always carrying twins and two other bigger kids in dat scorching hot sun begging aro saying twins need food. (In hausa) I pity d kids honestly
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot that you will learn as the years go by, African chic, but don't fall for their sob stories. Many people in the U.S are greedy opportunists who wouldn't think twice about peeling the shirt off your back to satisfy their own greed. As for the begging, some consider it a 'Job.' The worst ones are the ones so consumed with arrogance that would ask you to 'borrow' them some change, as if you'd ever see them again or as if you are buddies. Basically, it's up to the individual, I have given in the past and it's so funny the way how they'd snatch the money out of your hand without a 'thank you,' as if you owe them or its your duty to give. I am a firm believer that charity begins at home and rather than give some ingrate who has already collected their govt cheque and are only looking for extra, I'd rather donate to a non profit Charity. This is my opinion anyway.
ReplyDeleteDid you mention the word OPPORTUNITY? Many American's, the illiterates and low class ones believe there is no such thing. It all stems from the background of the USA. A lot are lazy and just don't want to start from scratch. The welfare system has also conditioned some to believe that they'd rather receive a little from the govt than go out and earn. You know that saying that when there is too much, people tend to abuse or not see what they have. Yes a lot of Americans believe there is somewhere else better with loads of opportunities than their country. Yet they can't survive elsewhere but in the U.S. That's why many able people create some type of "disability" for themselves to avoid work. Soft bones, don't you all think?
ReplyDeleteDid you mention the word OPPORTUNITY? Many American's, the illiterates and low class ones believe there is no such thing. It all stems from the background of the USA. A lot are lazy and just don't want to start from scratch. The welfare system has also conditioned some to believe that they'd rather receive a little from the govt than go out and earn. You know that saying that when there is too much, people tend to abuse or not see what they have. Yes a lot of Americans believe there is somewhere else better with loads of opportunities than their country. Yet they can't survive elsewhere but in the U.S. That's why many able people create some type of "disability" for themselves to avoid work. Soft bones, don't you all think?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you.
DeleteI have seen some with placards, one asked for a dollar for bus fare, which i gave.
The welfare system gives food stamps, bus pass, child's benefits ,pays rent, medicard, yet these people squander the little they earn on drugs and alcohol! This is where my grouse lies with the blacks.
So funny lol,I remember a particular woman that comes to beg for money each time school resumes a new section,her story was same for each section.
ReplyDelete