Over here in Nigeria, there are people we call touts, these touts are most often area boys who you will see at motor parks, or road junctions demanding money, they are usually also influential in the community and most of the people who give to them do so out of fear and for safety, it is very funny because these men through the money they make from demanding money on the road, they have a beautiful wife/beautiful wives all sponsored by money made by the roadside.
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I have a friend whose boyfriend always regarded these area boys/area men as the case may be, tipping them on every occasion as he passed by the street, this will make them continually sing his praises, and he never had an issue with it despite and even though my friend was not comfortable with it, he kept on practicing the act of giving to them without any problem. After some time, she stopped complaining as he gave her a concrete reason that these men can save those they are faithful to during the period of riot or arising problems in the community.
Now, as a result of a work transfer, he was moved to a different state, leaving my friend alone in the area, every time she passed, the area boys switched to demanding money from here in place of her boyfriend, she wasn't making as much as he was and everything she spent was based on the budget which she explained to them, but they accused her of being stingy and she even overheard them saying, they will deal with her. She became really scared, but every time she passes she will give them a little change.
I believe greatly in charity and giving to the less privileged, but then how do we explain giving our hard-earned money to a grown man who has decided to waste his life away by demanding money from every passerby? There was one time that an opportunity from a family member landed for one of them to begin a reputable job in a company where he will be making a huge amount every month, but he absconded, claiming the money he made from the tout business was sufficient for him, I can only imagine how much he makes, but that is his problem.
The problem I have is, how am I supposed to give out of the little I make to a man who has no job, and just wants to sit, drink and womanize daily for some form of protection? Anyways, I blame our government which empowers these people for their selfish political gain, even if you report them to the police, you could end up being arrested instead.
I know what I am trying to explain would be understood better by Nigerians, let me know what you think about giving to these touts, do you believe in it or have you had an experience with them? Let me know in the comment section, thank you for reading.
Unusual. In Canada they would be reported to authorities.
In some traffic intersections of my city, we have individuals with water bottles and squeegee wipers offering to clean your car windshield as you wait for the traffic light to turn green, for some loose change. Most do a decent service, and the odd few are menacing.
That is sad and kind of wrong! It's like paying for 'protection' but no guarantee you would get it in time of crisis, and it's something the government should give you through the police!
In our country, we have what we call 'pan handlers'. They are not influential people and most often are drug users, alcoholics and/or homeless folks. None of the money given to them is taxed; our state hands out food stamps and free medical to them. In some instances, it is truly needed, but in a lot, it's people who have learned to work the system and get a ton of free stuff and/or money, and have no job. There are plenty of employment opportunities but they don't want to work in that fashion.
For the people who really are in dire straights, I feel for; the problem is you can't tell the truly needy from those who have made this their job. I have often seen them 'close up shop' and go get in their new car and drive away.
In your case and in ours......it is sad.
Thanks for sharing. !LADY
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