Beggars rely on charity and are treated differently worldwide. In the US, they are often misunderstood, abused, and associated with aggressive panhandling tactics. Some beggars use witty signs or cultural traditions to appeal to passers-by. Donating to beggars is a personal choice, and supporting charities that offer assistance is an alternative.
A beggar is a beggar, or someone who relies on the charity of others for survival. “Panhandler” is primarily an American slang term and is often associated with aggressive begging tactics. Many visitors to American cities have interacted with beggars, who are often members of the homeless community. Beggars in general are an ancient part of human society and are treated differently depending on where they are in the world.
In the US, many people don’t like beggars. This is often due to a lack of understanding of homelessness, mental illness, and other factors that can lead someone to resort to begging. Beggars are often told to “get a job” and can be abused by members of the public whenever charity is offered to them. Beggars are also given a bad name by people who use aggressive or questionable tactics to get money from passers-by.
An aggressive panhandler may be stationed near a bank or ATM, or in close proximity to a church in hopes of appealing to the charitable traditions associated with many religions. People may also yell or pull passersby in an attempt to force donations from them. Some panhandlers stalk people, scoff at small donations, or set up near an exclusive business in hopes of pressuring the business owner into paying them to leave.
Of course, beggars can be less aggressive. Many of them sit quietly in doorways or other public spaces with handmade placards meant to appeal to the humanity of passers-by. Some pride themselves on making witty signs that may reference stereotypes about beggars, such as the idea that all beggars use the funds they raise to buy alcohol and drugs. Some may also use techniques that obliquely ask for money, such as stating that they need money for a bus or asking for a meal.
In some cultures, beggars actually play an important social role. In both Hinduism and Islam, for example, charity towards beggars is required of all people of faith. By donating to beggars, the faithful can satisfy an important tenant of their religion, increasing the chances of being admitted to heaven or reincarnated in a good body, depending on the faith. In some cases, a beggar may be someone who has taken a vow of poverty and has chosen to live as a beggar for a specific amount of time.
The decision whether or not to donate to a beggar is yours alone. You may choose to support charities that offer assistance to the homeless in the form of meals, shelter and medical care, rather than giving money directly to a beggar. You shouldn’t allow aggressive tactics to coerce you into donating, but you might consider that most beggars come into their situations due to an unfortunate series of events that may one day happen to you.
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