Beggars and stuff eh?

Tuomas · Fri 04/12/2009 00:47:39

It's been a couple o years now the state of Finland has been there, right next to Russia. Anyway, this is the first 1,5 years, that we actually had people around the corners, just sitting tight, humming and plainly begging for money. I assume this in common in most countries, but here, it's a newthing, and no-one really knows how to relate. There are houndreds of Romanian immigrants here, basically just sitting arounf begging for money. It's really something I've never seen before, and I don't know if I should be worried or not, or anything at that... No-one has ever been begging for money in Finland. What do you feel about them?

I've been thinking of this for a long time, but of course, I have more things to think of: the student union, a book I'm translating, a company I'm for and drinking, mostly drinking, and drunk I'm now... Anyway, we didn't know the point about drunkards.... no, beggars until now... and the people here aren't ready yet. What should I do, I mean, no-one gives away money, it's not the national way. why come here anyway? Because of EU?

Crimson Wizard · Fri 04/12/2009 01:04:20

Very simply put, when I meet beggars on streets I feel great shame because I can't help anyone and can't change the world, et cetera.

Darth Mandarb · Fri 04/12/2009 01:14:49

Same here in South Florida, USA ... they are at every intersection in every city you drive through.

Scarab · Fri 04/12/2009 05:03:41

I once saw a guy with a sign

Ninjas killed my father
Need money for training

I just about emptied my wallet on this guy.

Anian · Fri 04/12/2009 08:13:28

Well I think what you're talking about are not actually Romanian as in from Romania, I think what you're reffering to are gypsies (and not the Brad Pitt in Snatch kind either). It just means your country is catching up to the rest of the world, sorry.

I don't count them as regular beggars (does that make sense?) since they came from another country, are not citizens of my country, don't pay taxes here etc.
Worst of all, 90% of them really act to fufill the stereotypes - they have lots of kids (8 and more - it could be considered biological warfare), which they know they can't afford to feed and clothe, they steal and destroy public property, they live in houses which are dirty and keep junk there, and they beg. Not only do they beg, but they make children beg for them and usually when you give money to a little kid, there's a man who takes all their money (real Oliver Twist stuff) - and I have actually seen all this stuff. Not saying it's racial or anything like that but it is in most of their upbringing.

And in the end they expect the government to build them homes and pay for their eduaction...it's really messed up and I really feel bad for the ones that try to get higher education and have to fight all the prejudices the others set. Basically what Crimson said, I'm sad that I can't change the world.

Maybe your country is economically and socially strong enough to cope with the problems, hope so, I really think Finland is cool.

Lufia · Fri 04/12/2009 11:29:42

Well, each time I see beggars on the streets, I'm reminded on how I always seem to stumble on one or more in the alcohol section of the nearby supermarket when I go hunt for dinner. (I pick my shopping hours shittily, apparently.) Thus, I don't feel bad at all when I don't give money away to them. I'll gladly share food if I've any on me, though.

Apparently, most beggars are also nutcases but aren't intitutionalised because that just costs too much money.

Chicky · Fri 04/12/2009 12:56:07

Quote from: Scarab on Fri 04/12/2009 05:03:41
I once saw a guy with a sign
Ninjas killed my father
Need money for training

I just about emptied my wallet on this guy.

This made me lol.

The beggars around here spend like a week gathering money for the bus fare to Bath to then spend the weekend begging for further funding from the rich folk of Bath.

Darth Mandarb · Fri 04/12/2009 14:23:27

Quote from: Scarab on Fri 04/12/2009 05:03:41
I once saw a guy with a sign
Ninjas killed my father
Need money for training

I just about emptied my wallet on this guy.

I saw a picture (didn't see the guy myself) of a bum (what we call beggars) holding a sign that said, "Bet you can't hit me with a quarter".

I thought that was rather brilliant, if a bit sad.

Bror_Jon · Fri 04/12/2009 15:05:09

some nice graffiti on the subject