Bison

So I was out for lunch when I was approached by an Indian (looking) fellow who started speaking to me in Arabic.

When I replied in English, he started speaking to me in English and started calling me 'My Brother' etc etc, and I said if you need money, then I don't have anything on me. He was very polite and actually quite smartly dressed, he said I only need this medicine for my sick mother, and showed me the medicine packet that he had.

Now if he was telling the truth, then I feel for the guy, but in any case I didn't have cash on me so I had to turn him away.

It could of been the blag of the century, but who knows. I have never given beggars money, but if they look cold and have dog with them (Standard Issue UK Beggar) then If I have some spare, I will get the some hot food and a coffee or something and something for the dog.

I never give money in case they buy drugs or alcohol with it, but it's the first time I have been approached over here, it was near Lamcy Plaza at like 12:30pm.

Bison

Millsyisland

If he had the medicine packet, he's already bought it so don't feel guilty about it.

I've been approached during Ramadan by people asking for money but they don't get any, they can get some off a Muslim as they have to at this time.

lionheart

You were probably right to give him nothing. There are several scam artists hanging around Wafi. One Italian speaking guy trying to sell designer suits from the back of his car has appeared more than once. If your guy was well dressed, he was probably up to no good. Its nice to know that you are prepared to help out a genuine person in distress (with or without his dog) as, but for the grace of God, that could easily one day be you or me.

The Dean

My favourite 'beggar' is the one on the stairs at Leicester Square tube station (he's been there years, same guy, same place).................

............ mobile phone in hand, listening to IPod............ lunchtime he nips off to Pret a Manger to get himself a mozzarella and rocket wrap, or whatever.....

Bison

I've even helped out at soup kitchens at Christmas.

Nic1

Do you ever get the ones who knock on your front gate and show you hideous pictures of their relative who's burnt and maimed ? Some of them have whole photo albums - yuk, I always sent them packing. So I possibly won't get to heavan.

I always buy The Big Issue when in UK . . .

N

Spugsy

I quite often give them a quid and tell them not to bother with giving me the big issue, because it's bloody rubbish.

Nic1

Yeh, but if you actually take it you can wave at it at the guy on the next corner who's selling it so he knows you're a nice person really . .

Confucius

That Italian guy approached me twice; once in 2004 and once in 2006...I remembered him but he didnt remember me...

Confucius

Out for lunch...And you didn't have money...Did you also beg for your food???

nottmbantam

Just to politely point out, that The Quran states that money must be given to charity. This can happen at any time, and not just restricted to Ramadan - although modern custom and habit results in many people paying their dues at this time of year.

There are quite a lot of beggars in Saudi, I tend to give whatever small notes I have on me. My step daughter asked an interesting question the other night - if Saudi is such a rich country, why are there so many beggars around?

Perhaps the majority of the wealth is owned by the few?

Jacquie77

I think it's because many over-stay illegally and then can't get legitimate work. And maybe conditions here are actually better than in their own countries.

But really, the vast majority of people in this country are on the middle of the social scale I would say, with a few very rich and a few very poor.

W10

Do you walk around with your eyes closed?

Nic1

I think there are far more poor than rich or middle scale to be honest - assuming you are talking about Saudi.

N

Jacquie77

Um, no.

That's a bit hostile isn't it?

I was talking about the people who are so poor they have to beg, and have nowhere to live.

ETA: Yes, Nic, Jeddah.