Thoughts On Street Beggars

in #life7 years ago

I was thinking of what should i write for today's post and a couple of different thing came to my mind but they need some serious research first and then i remembered of a beggar i came across earlier this day and all the picture's of beggars came through my mind in a moment (yes i don't know how my brains works) so i think i have to share my thoughts in this matter. 

Growing up in Greece in the ''good times'' were the economic growth keep increasing ( plasmatic growth), there was no chance of finding a beggar or at least chances were so low. With some wars that erupted in many countries around the globe and economic difficulties a bunch of immigrants came to my country. Then the economic crisis happened and many people lose their jobs so in just a few years everywhere around the city you would come across at least 2-3.

Before i lose half of my audience there, i don't wanna sound racist or stuff cause i know it's the trend today, just stating the facts and my thoughts. I always want the best for mankind!

The tricky part we are all facing when we see a beggar is, ''should i give him money?'' ''does he really need it or he/she just try to fool us?''  The answer is tricky too as there isn't something 100% certain but we can understand i think if we take a closer look and i am gonna give you an example through my life

A usual spot of many beggars or better many fake beggars is trains. A good thing i have for now is that if i see a face 1-3 times i will never forget it, so when i was ready to go to my work, i need to head to the metro station first and then take the regular train. I kept watching the same faces all over begging but before you said ''don't judge a book by it's cover'' a bunch of them were stupid enough to say for a week that they needed money for their 4 children, then the next week for their sick mother and 2 children and the next week for their own heart or cancer problem and ofc for the 5 children at home. (they are creative at least)

As you can see each week the number of children magically changed 


Another thing i noticed and socked me is that 3 of them have saw them a couple of days ago in a club near my home :P Yes people you heard me... During morning beggars that need 1 euro to live and during night Vodka 80 euros to drink! 

Don't let me started about when some people just said them ''no, i don't have or i need the money too.'' Some of those ''beggars'' just exploded and started swearing on them. Also don't let me start about other type of beggar scammers but a gif will be enough i think! I have made a pact with myself from watching day by day all of this madness not to give any single cent to those people at trains but there are other areas too right?




At certain roads and judging by their faces too a lot of people that beg for money and i repeat money, not food are junkies that just want to buy their next dose. You all have to sit back and think ''Do i really help them giving them 1-2 euro or i lead them to their deaths?''

The truth is that people in my country give them money and i didn't expected to be so much. literally, my statistics according to what i kept watching everyday is that in every wagon at least 5 people game them euros, otherwise if none game them probably they would have stopped doing these and in such a great number!

Before again you say something or think something bad about me :p i would suggest you to go and talk to beggars. I have done in and i will if i feel it again. You will really understand the bigger picture and that picture is that those people in need have begging as their last resort because they are proud people. They will go to churches were they give free food, they will find organizations that help poor people and even search at garbage before asking for money or food, and probably they will ask for food first. 

Also and that's one of the most important things to me, mostly none of them asks for work, have think about it? If i had the power to take them for certain posts like workers,builders or in some relevant to their studies work i would have done immediately or at least gave them a chance to an interview. I have witnessed an angry women talking to another woman that was begging and told her:

'' i work from 13 years old and never asked for anything, now i am 60 and doing 2 jobs to survive and to help my family because this is how i was raised. Instead of begging why don't you try and do the same? In fact my second job is to clean professional and business spaces, come join me and work with me if you really need the money and stop the excuses''  care to hear the answer from the beggar?

Go Fuck Yourself........

My point and i am closing this post is to not to just give them your money because you think you help them but actually try and see past it and realize if they deserve it or not. If you are not sure about that you can easily give food,cloths,money directly to organizations or churches or other initiative that help these people!

I hope to hear your thoughts on this matter too or your arguments if you have different opinion. In any case have a great day!

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I wrote a whole post about this topic several months ago, so I won't repeat what I said. But, I will say that I agree with a lot of things you have said. There are many beggars out there who are capable of having jobs, they're just too lazy to work. They have a sense of entitlement that makes them think society owes them something. Sure, there are some beggars that are handicapped, but most of them aren't. Here, there are even children used by syndicates to ask people for money. Technically speaking, they're holding up people not with a gun, but with sympathy. Pathetic.

Technically speaking, they're holding up people not with a gun, but with sympathy

And a funny thing is that when we are helping them cause of dopamine and other fluids we feel really good to, but are we really helping them or bringing more harm to both them and us?

Yeah, I would like to think so. That's why I just avoid them, and if I simply can't, I give them food instead of money.

i do the same thing!

Πολυ ωραια πραγματα φιλαρακι,
Μακαρι ολοι να καναμε κατι να βοηθαμε..!!
Λενε πως αν καει το σπιτι του γειτονα σου δεν θα σε νοιαξει,
Μεχρι να καει το δικο σου.._))Resteem ....

se euxaristo na se kala!

Street beggars can make a great living in some areas. I have known of some of them making $500 or more in cash a day! It all depends on the city and the people around them.

I read of one story where a big wig man from the judicial system making a 6 figure income in New York took a leave of absence for one year. He spent 6 months as a street beggar and then 6 months writing a book about his experience.

You Know What He Found...

He made more money as a street beggar than in his career! Not only that, but the money was Tax Free!

In the right location it really can be something. Many cities have banned begging because of the potential it has to make money. In addition, they don't like the looks of people begging on the streets.

Thank you,
Spencer Coffman

thanks for your great comment again! it's as you said it some cities and countries they are making so much money taking advantage the generosity of others!

Yes, that is very true. Keep it up out there!

We read in the good book, that giving bring greater happiness. So i grew up trying to give, as much as i can.its a bit difficult for me to walk pass a beggar without giving. Until i realise majority of these beggars are just greedy and lazy people, who wont work, but just want to live off people. I ran into one that has been begging almost all his life till date. With the proceeds from the begging, he built a house and even own a car. For me, there might be few beggars who really needs help, but majority of them, especially in my locality, are a bunch of greedy and lazy people, who wants to ripe you off you money.


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Sometimes I pity beggars but oftentimes I dont. I have mixed emotions on this matter because some beggars are capable of working and some are experiencing mental health issues.

if you can tell the difference of those that are in real need then give them!!

I never give money to people I will buy them a sandwich and if they trow the sandwich away I never buy them another one.

well done! that is the wisest move, if he/she really is in need the food is all that matters

I don't believe sounding racist is a kind of trend in Greece or elsewhere today. Especially when lots of Greeks still take care refuggees today.

trust me my friend it is, people prefer to blame someone for something they don't wanna research for.

Personally, there are times that I give to street beggars and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I also help in ministries or institutions taking care of them. In our country, the Philippines, it is advised by the government that people should just give to institutions rather than those in the streets to avoid street accidents and also to avoid other beggars to stay on the streets.

helping at institutions is a great way to help as well as what it is advised by the government. the issue or concern maybe is does those institutions you give money or food and clothes give everything back or because of corruption that is high both in your country and mine they keep a lot for themselves?

I also agree with your opinion. Corruption is inevitable here in the Philippines. Also, some street beggars are sometimes used by syndicates. Plus, sometimes in a single area, there are lots of them, when you give to one, the others will approach you too.
Sometimes I just use gut feel if I should give to a particular beggar at a certain moment or not. Sometimes I give, sometimes I don’t.

economy is complicated, but one thing is for sure. what is free usually comes at a very expensive price.

i see your anger. people are so concerned about being politically correct now, nobody speaks the truth.

i have nothing more to add!

I agree do not give them anything! good post :)

it's not exactly don't give them anything :p but more likely try to know where and to who you give!

We have a lot of the train homeless around our local area, its ingenious some of the reasons they come up with. If they are genuine homeless then I am more inclined to give some money away. My husband often buys food or drinks instead. In the US the homeless where everywhere, we were really surprised at how many there were. Again we just gave food or heat packs to them as it was freezing... One guy even had a sign up with something like...

Homeless since 1953 and proud.....

yes i think food and drinks ( healthy drinks :P ) are the most appropriate to buy and clothes too. There are many organizations that can help them too but instead they chose to go around trains and ask for money. I have seen in documentaries all over youtube how bad things are in USA it terms of homeless and i really hope a solution to be made

Great article @filotariza3 !!!
You have described a very "touchy" subject in a very nice way! I think that people that usually are need, they rarely beg! They will find every other solution and choice they may have, before they even consider doing that!!!

Now the truth of the matter is that sometimes, because life is unpredictable, you cannot really know who is in real need or not, so you do help. I usually go by my instinct and I try not to think about it. I leave God to be the judge ☺!!

thanks for your comment! Indeed at some point from nothing to something it may prove better! but in general donate to an institution i think it would be better but then again with our corruption levels there are trust issues :p

Steemit needs more post like this. You put a justifying effort to reasearching about this social issue. I agree with your conclusion. Better to be wise to think whether beggars deserve help from you or not.

thanks a lot for your comment

I support your opinion completely. You know, I rarely give to beggars. The truth is that most often they are richer than me) But there are cases when it is possible and necessary to help. The main thing is to distinguish truth from lies

and that's the hardest part finding out the truth.... and it is as you said sometimes they got way more than us!

Τέλειο το άρθρο σου και τα gif σου τα ΚΑΤΑΔΙΑΣΚΕΔΑΣΑ!
Έχω δώσει λεφτά σε φανάρι (ότι είχα και δεν είχα από ψιλά) και μου τα πέταξε πάλι μέσα με νεύρα γιατί ήθελε περισσότερα.-

α καλα οποτε φανταζομαι απο τοτε αναθεωρησες καποια πραγματα :p
χαθηκε να τον επηρεασει το essence of death που εχεις να τελειωνουμε με αυτον :P

Μα πραγματικα! Αλλά την πληρώνουν μόνο τα καημένα τα φυτά!

If you follow ,upvote ,comment and resteem me I will do same

will i be honored like this?