Modern Beggars
April 15, 2008 11:17 am Believe It Or NotBegging is a fascinating…job! Not that I want to try it, nah!
A Moroccan show recently featured Moroccan beggars, how the authorities deal with them and the kind of help they can get. To everyone’s surprise, those beggars refused to go to shelters, because they had enough money to live on their own, and they didn’t want to trade their ‘freedom’ for a ‘free roof’. Boy, do these beggars have disillusioning looks for the money they were talking about! Many of them were caught carrying unbelievable amounts of cash - in their belts, underwear, or whatever. And when I say huge amounts, I really mean it. We are talking about $30.000 and onwards. Cash! Does anyone of you poor decent citizens walk in the street with that much money? I doubt it! You’d be all shaking if you were walking in the street with $200 in your wallet.
I remember when another show about Moroccan beggars was on TV a long time ago, and recently after that, we heard about many aggressions against our rich beggars. I actually understand the frustrated offenders.
Ah, the irony!
I wonder if the following “foreign” beggars have any money at all… I mean, come on! Moroccan beggars can’t be the best out there in this field.
Aiming too high buddy, at least according to Moroccan standards. Nobody would give you a whole buck in Morocco. Not after that show anyways.
Homeless Bill is aiming too high as well.
Here’s someone who still has his feet on the ground. Asking for food only. But does he know what HTML stands for?
Brilliant idea! But which period of time have you landed from? At least you have pretty good adaptation skills. Based on your looks, I’d bet my left arm that you were born in our era.
And my favorite! Why lie? Love the hat and beard. But lemme check that backpack, will ya?
This reminds me of a beggar I once saw in Paris. He was sitting on an old rug, with his glasses on and his backpack on the side, reading a book. There was no cup, box, hat or whatever, to put the spare change in, just a piece of paper. If it weren’t for his ‘dirty’ looks, I wouldn’t think he was a beggar. I swear I felt like stopping and shaking hands with him.
Dragon :
Date: April 15, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
L-Mira, I myself saw an article a few years ago about beggars in USA that actually clear over 60k a year-and all tax free. Yet, I don’t know all the reasons for all of them. But I know some are the drug junkies, or just like that way of life, or don’t want to be identified or found. Of course, there’re a few that truly are down on their luck.
Great topic. Thank you.
Lalla Lydia :
Date: April 15, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Amira, interesting article. In my city of Portland we have loads of beggars and street kids; in fact, the state is well known for its support and social reintegration programs for homeless people so we receive a lot of beggars and junkies from all over the nation-especially once the rain goes. However, what irks me is seeing young kids who’re my age (early 20s) -especially those with PETS (cats, dogs) who can afford to feed the IAMS and FANCYFEAST and that junk; I don’t have pets, can’t afford them and I work hard to earn my living. Yet these kids are always stopping me in the street -they certainly don’t look emaciated in starving. I acknowledge there are many people out there who need help but seeing these people who are able bodied and well off enough to have PETS really yanks my chain.
sirius34 :
Date: April 16, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
Chemkara dial Maricane mestyliyine :D
Lalla Mira :
Date: April 16, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
@Dragon: Reminds me of the story of some female beggar who was ‘offered’ the position of a ‘maid’ at somebody’s house. The beggar lady refused. Her argument: ‘300dhs a month? Come on! I make that in like…a day!’
@Lydia: Don’t tell me that beggars in Portland are as stylish and creative as those on the pictures above! Gotta love them!
It’s also beyond my understanding: why do some beggars ask for money while they actually look young and healthy and able to work. They can easily make a living of some job. If it’s an old or disabled person, you’d understand better, and still…
@Sirius34: Tbogissa w style, w qaryin en plus! Ghir bash ydir lwa7d lwriqat o safi! :D