Begging
Photo: Peter van der Sluijs, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
When traveling, you will without a doubt come across people asking for money. After all, poor people everywhere will reason that anyone who can afford to travel – by definition – has money to spare. Even a "budget" traveler may be much richer than most local people in some places; according to UN statistics more than a billion people live on less than a euro a day.
Begging is prohibited or criminalized at some destinations; even where begging is legal, it might be associated with crime or dubious businesses.
GiveConsider giving generously if you want to, but remember a few points.
Do insteadThere are also various possibilities to consider instead of giving money to beggars: Very little of what you spend in many countries will end up in the pockets of local people, especially if you choose to stay in…
Stay safeIn some cases begging is a fairly passive activity and in others it can be more aggressive and intimidating. If you feel threatened, walk away quickly and head for a nearby shop or restaurant.
RespectIn Hindu and Buddhist countries giving alms to monks or nuns is an accepted part of the culture, a religious observance for the giver. In Islam, giving alms to the poor is also a religious obligation.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Begging" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Peter van der Sluijs, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons