Is this normal here?
#1
Is this normal here?
I was in my hotel room today where we have been living for the past 4 months when there was a knock on the door. My 3 year old decided that he wanted to open it and, as I thought it was the cleaner returning to finish the job he started, I let him. I was really shocked to see a young woman standing there dressed in her abaya (her face was not covered) who began jabbering away to my son. When I got to the door I suddenly realised what was happening - she was begging! I was totally shocked, we are on the 12th floor with a couple of security guards in the foyer downstairs. I told her that I didn't have any cash and then she started asking me for food. I pretended I couldn't understand what she was saying before saying goodbye and shutting the door. The thing is, I sort of feel bad about turning her away. I have no problem giving homeless, hungry people money/food, etc. but I really don't think they should be knocking on my door. Is this normal here? Anyway, my 10 year old decided that she couldn't be that poor as she had a bag with sequins on it!
#2
Re: Is this normal here?
I was in my hotel room today where we have been living for the past 4 months when there was a knock on the door. My 3 year old decided that he wanted to open it and, as I thought it was the cleaner returning to finish the job he started, I let him. I was really shocked to see a young woman standing there dressed in her abaya (her face was not covered) who began jabbering away to my son. When I got to the door I suddenly realised what was happening - she was begging! I was totally shocked, we are on the 12th floor with a couple of security guards in the foyer downstairs. I told her that I didn't have any cash and then she started asking me for food. I pretended I couldn't understand what she was saying before saying goodbye and shutting the door. The thing is, I sort of feel bad about turning her away. I have no problem giving homeless, hungry people money/food, etc. but I really don't think they should be knocking on my door. Is this normal here? Anyway, my 10 year old decided that she couldn't be that poor as she had a bag with sequins on it!
I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
#3
Re: Is this normal here?
I was in my hotel room today where we have been living for the past 4 months when there was a knock on the door. My 3 year old decided that he wanted to open it and, as I thought it was the cleaner returning to finish the job he started, I let him. I was really shocked to see a young woman standing there dressed in her abaya (her face was not covered) who began jabbering away to my son. When I got to the door I suddenly realised what was happening - she was begging! I was totally shocked, we are on the 12th floor with a couple of security guards in the foyer downstairs. I told her that I didn't have any cash and then she started asking me for food. I pretended I couldn't understand what she was saying before saying goodbye and shutting the door. The thing is, I sort of feel bad about turning her away. I have no problem giving homeless, hungry people money/food, etc. but I really don't think they should be knocking on my door. Is this normal here? Anyway, my 10 year old decided that she couldn't be that poor as she had a bag with sequins on it!
This is not normal anywhere...
I mean, I've seen some Africans multiply money, but this??? Amazingly amazing!!!
#4
Re: Is this normal here?
I wouldn't have been to happy to be honest, saying that, some bloke in a dish dash and a nice clean car pulled up next to me, told me he was from saudi and had no money and could I give him some for petrol, seemed really odd,
I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
#5
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Is this normal here?
yes it does happen, more so around public holidays and ramadan, they did crack down on it a little while back, but its pretty norm here (at certain times moreso)
#9
Re: Is this normal here?
I wouldn't have been to happy to be honest, saying that, some bloke in a dish dash and a nice clean car pulled up next to me, told me he was from saudi and had no money and could I give him some for petrol, seemed really odd,
I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
I gave him 10 dirhams and wandered off, odd eh?
#12
Re: Is this normal here?
I even had one guy on the street come up to me and remove a dressing/bandage and show me his very ugly cut, and then asked me for money, like I would pay him for making me want to throw up, ewe disgusting