I KNOW you’ve been hassled by beggars about 100 times at least in your life. And nothing drives me crazier than people standing around begging. I absolutely NEVER give them money.
So, do you think that makes me an a-hole? Because I’m not. I’ve donated more to charity than most people will in a lifetime. What it makes me is not a sucker.
Let Me Explain
The following series is a set of photographs of some beggars in China. A reporter followed them around and took pictures of them at work.
At first we see a man who appears to be practically near death being cared for by his loving wife. So many people feel bad for them and stop to help.
After a little while, they get up to move to another location.
Here they are, back at work again.
After a while, I guess they have to set something up for their next score?
Then they are on the move again.
This time, to grab a decent meal before they go “back to work”.
I know, you’re thinking this is not common, right? WRONG!
Video Proof
Here are two different stories from the US of undercover TV reporters documenting the reality behind begging and panhandling in America. If you do a search, you’ll find plenty more!
How to Be a Great Beggar
Now, a video that tells you everything you need to get out there and start earning today! Just trade in your dignity for some cold hard cash.
Bottom Line
So, what’s the bottom line here? Did you hear the lady who works for the homeless shelter tell you – do not give panhandlers money? I mean that kind of says it all. But hopefully you now understand why.
I know that when you see them your mind is racing. “I wonder what’s wrong? How did they get that way? I feel sorry for them.” But as long as you are aware that they are working hard to engineer that response from you, you can resist it!
People who start begging become addicted to the easy cash, and very rapidly stop even trying to accomplish any noble goal they had before they started. So next time, just ignore them or tell them you only donate to national charities.
Due to this, the real needy are deprived of help.
The one I get all the time is “My car broke down half a mile from here, I just need gas money to get home. Can you spare a buck? My wife is waiting in the car with our 6 month old girl and I just want to get them to bed.”
Um, This has been going to since ancient China. The stories say beggars used to stab themselves in the fleshy part of the forearm and leave the knife sticking out to evoke a slow trickle of blood.
When I was in my 20′s 40 years ago, I needed a pair of work boots so that I could get a job with the forestry fighting fires, and had to beg the money, as I was 3000 miles from home (North America is a big place, I was in BC, from ON.) the need was real, and I eventually got on the fire line; but the point is, there are real cases of need out there, and these scam artists spoil it for everyone; other than hitch hiking, I never had to beg again;
Hi John,
thanks for this well written article!
It’s sad that those rip-off artists spoil it for the really needy out there!
People do live in poverty or are homeless! These scammers give the real people a very bad name!
I’m glad that you care about life & the truth and took the time out to show how devious people can be for easy cash!
Take care,
nick
Help a beggar keep warm in winter ?. A couple of blasts from your trusty flamethrower should do it! .