Do you give money to beggars (ăn xin)?
As for me, used to, but now, NEVER!
From what i heard, most, if not all are organised by the underworld.
They are extremely annoying.

I do. Only in Vietnam.

Depends on the beggar.

Depends on my wallet (if i have some small odd money)

I would if I see any because I don't buy into that whole "fake beggars" thing.

in the states?
nope...it's pretty their choice to live that way. i neither respect nor look down on them...just another person with a different way of life.

in vn?
extremely rarely...depending on the person. during my latest trip to vietnam, i always bought lottery tickets from those who tried to sell and gave the tickets back to them. i respect those who make an effort to ear a living.

i love you.

some were taken aback when they realized what i was doing. at a rest stop along the way to da lat (i think it was at the foothill of bao loc pass), a young girl came over to me and asked me to help her out by buying a ticket. i bought 4 which cost around 20,000 vnd and gave them all back to her. she refused to take them and insisted that i kept them. needless to say, she left me with a good impression. (i eventually persuaded her to have those tickets and she reluctantly took 'em after i explained that they were for her niceness to me )

nếu như em trở về Việt Nam, em ước mình sẽ được dịp mua hoa, vé số, hoặc kẹo cao su, đậu phộng từ các cô cậu bé bán rong trên đường.

Scout's motto: Do a good turn daily.

em chỉ ƯỚC THÔI chứ em không làm đâu
em ƯỚC Việt Nam sẽ giàu mạnh nhưng em sẽ không làm gì đâu, em chỉ ƯỚC THÔI
em ƯỚC Việt Nam sẽ hết nghèo đói nhưng em không cho từ thiện, không viện trợ, em chỉ ƯỚC thôi
em chỉ mới ước vài chục năm nay thôi, vài chục năm nữa em vẫn ước
em chỉ ƯỚC ƯỚC ƯỚC ƯỚC và ƯỚC thôi

cái em này ƯỚC ghê gớm thật, khâm phục!

Of course in vn but in the west these beggars are all druggies

i wish that I would never have the opportunity to buy any of those

i only give money to hot female beggars.

Yes, in Vietnam but never in the US.

most of time i do, but not bills just change!

Ones with a Rolex and ones without?

What about the Vietnam vets? You're not going to help out your allies? Some of those Vietnam Vets fought for your VNCH regime! Is that the thanks they get for suffering PTSD and having mental problems and can't hold on to a job? And a lot of them did have mental problems and become homeless.
How can you VNCH guys be so heartless and cruel?

In America, Vietnam veterans with mental problems or physical disabilities qualify for multiple social assistance programs such as free health care, low income housing, work placement programs, and welfare. Those who seek professional psychiatric help will move on and lead productive lives while those addicted to drugs and alcohol usually end up pandering on the streets for easy money to further support such destructive habits. They are homeless because they choose to be homeless not because they can't find a place to live. It's all about free will.

Can't hold on to a job? Would you like fries with that...see, not so hard.

Lesson of the day: Say No to Drugs...

I don't think anyone chooses to be homeless. These people have severe mental issues and sometimes the US government doesn't care. Hell the US government aren't even treating some of it's heroes in 9/11 who suffered severe respiratory infections. It's not as clear cut in black and white. Some do use drugs, some just are down on their luck and are suffering from PTSD or mental problems.

I usually do give money to beggers. One time I gave this homeless guy outside of a sandwitch shop 2 bucks coz he asked me nicely. I walked to the car and I heard a cell phone ringing from where I left a couple of second ago, turned around the homeless dude was on the cell talking to someone. I paused a few second and looked at him confused and curious...he was still comfortable on his cell like I didn't exist and reply to his caller"...I cant right now, I am at work". I didn't help a homeless guy but at least I helped a stranger, that day.


Finally I can cross it off the list of "to do" before I die:
[...]
115.Help a stranger.

116. Beat up a stranger.
[...]

now that's what i call dedication. you should've gone back and given him another 2 dollars.

That is true....

You've been watching too many Michael Moore's fictional movies.

Those who are addicted to drugs will exist minute to minute seeking out the next quick fix. Ah, my precious...
Those who are down on their luck should be busy at the unemployment line seeking out new jobs rather than standing around begging for spare change. It's not that hard working at McDonalds or washing dishes at a restaurant or delivering pizza or mowing laws...etc.
Those with mental problems should restart their medications and return to the psychiatric ward that they escaped from...

Then there are those FAKE beggars who are just plain LAZY opportunists. Well, at least it's not as bad as the grimy gypsies in Europe.