Begging The Question
I’ll never forget my first trip to San Francisco. As Cory and Kathleen escorted us through the Haight, a multi-pierced teen asked us for money. I shook my head at him, feeling guilty, but also resentful. I knew the cost of one of those piercings was at least 70 bucks. “If he was so hungry, he should sell his nose ring,” I thought.
Kathleen was more pragmatic. “You look like a tourist. They always bug the tourists for money. I gave them money once when we first moved here and they bugged me every day. Just don’t give them money.”
I’m not alone in the dual feeling of guilt and resentment. Being asked for money when you’re vacationing is not only an invasion of your privacy, but a stark reminder that you are “pleasure-seeking” while others are starving. Rolf Pots has more advice for dealing with begging:
Rolf leaves us with this advice:
Spend some time in the community before you give to beggars
Practice skepticism
Don’t be afraid to say no
You’re not saving the day
Be courteous
He’s right about the proper methods of giving aid. Now, if I could only figure out a way of not feeling guilty about having a fun vacation while others are suffering, it would all be wonderful for me.