Philippines Expat Forum

charkee
Joined 2015
Posts: 1038

7 years ago

Handling beggars

7 years ago

When I first arrived in the Phils, the beggars would come to me like bugs to a light bulb. I was told it is against the law to give them money and I usually don't give. The local beggars have learned not to waste their time with me. But there were times that I would get really frustrated when they would follow me from store to store with their hands out and their standard makeup of charcoal smeared all over their bodies and clothes.

I do give to the blind and disabled, but not to the street kids. I give to the disabled without them asking.

I spot the beggars before they spot me and I have learned to confuse them by keeping some other pedestrian between me and them and they usually give up.

To the really pesky ones I open my umbrella and use it as a shield, It may seem rude, but they started being rude first. Not one ever made it past the umbrella trick yet.

I used to tell them "lumayas" and if that didn't work "lumayas ka sa harapan ko!" which is really rude I'm told, but it works if they understand Tagalog. One beggar didn't understand so I let off on him in Spanish and whatever his language was, he understood it and quickly left in shock.

People come from time to time to my gate with MD diagnosis or bills asking for money. I never give to them, but I offer them free treatments, Not one ever took me up on my offer, they want the money only.

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