Beggars are not an unusual sight here in Mexico. We are not completely surrounded by poverty. There are ALL classes combined in our community. Usually someone will come to the door asking for money to help pay medical bills (more times than not they are a hoax), food to eat, clothing for their children or work.
I have no problem asking them to wash a car or mow a lawn in exchange for pay but usually they want a quick fix. I no longer give out money but will willingly give food or clothing to those in need.
If you have a dog in the yard it usually keeps the beggars away, because most of the Mexican people are fearful of dogs. And it especially works well when you have a very LARGE dog, which we did.
However, our dog (Great Dane) was stolen and only days away from having Great Dane pups. So our security dog could no longer help us out with the beggars.
Once you give to one beggar they spread the word that your house is a good one to hit and you will get more of them wanting the same things.
This happened to me yesterday. I had a father and daughter come to the door asking for money. I told them I don't keep money in the house because it is too dangerous, so they asked for food. I have no problem sharing food, so I handed over two valentine cakes. Then the man asked for clothes. Since I don't have a constant bag of "out-grown" clothing by the door I told him to come back later if he wanted clothes, for I would need to sort through closets. I sent them on their way.
Two minutes later I had a nursing baby, and a toddler by my side, in bed, almost asleep for naps when there was another knock at the door. I had to slide out of bed, without awaking the babies, and see who was there. It was the daughter, this time without her father. She asked me for a water bottle so I gave her one and again, sent her on her way.
I guess the word got out that I say YES so I was visited by 3 more beggars that day! I haven't had a beggar in almost a year and yesterday I got 4!!
I feel totally taken advantage of! Some of these people make a living out of begging and that is frustrating when they are perfectly capable of working!
It would be a different story if they were grateful for the things they are given but 9 times out of 10 there is NO Thank You!
I am now saying NO to all beggars unless I feel prompted to help. Hopefully the word will spread amongst them and I will be left alone...for awhile.
3 comments:
It can get so frustrating. Especially when you see them somewhere else and their story has changed! I have the hardest time figuring out whats the right thing to do?
That's hard because you want to help- but you're right, when they're not grateful you just get taken advantage of! Good luck!
I liked your comment in RS about being in tune to their needs. Also like how Bro. Whetten took them to get the gas they needed. That way you know they are not using the money for something else.
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