Touts & Beggars

wonderwomanusa · Jul 24th, 2007, 11:39

I do not let begging children grab my arm and hang on me; they do not act that way with Indians and I won't allow them to get away with it with me. If they will not let go, I'll slap them.

When I'm outside of the heavily touristed cities, I see few beggars, and those are often blind. I don't mind giving them a couple of paise, as they are not chasing me down the street demanding tribute.

The only time I ran into a group of hijras on a train, I wanted to help them with their makeup! Anyway, they were getting off and I greeted them with a big smile. I know a bunch of drag queens here, and they'd be appalled...

DesiKid · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwomanusa

I do not let begging children grab my arm and hang on me; they do not act that way with Indians and I won't allow them to get away with it with me. If they will not let go, I'll slap them.

When I'm outside of the heavily touristed cities, I see few beggars, and those are often blind. I don't mind giving them a couple of paise, as they are not chasing me down the street demanding tribute.

The only time I ran into a group of hijras on a train, I wanted to help them with their makeup! Anyway, they were getting off and I greeted them with a big smile. I know a bunch of drag queens here, and they'd be appalled...

I almost piss in my pants whenever I see them(Hijras)..if they are pissed, they sometimes even show their private parts and abuse you..

This happened once I was on a train...someone gave them a 1Re coin and they slapped it back on his face and abused in a language only they know..it was so embarrassing
for that passenger..so everytime I hear them coming I will rush to the toilet or act as if I was asleep..PS they only show up in general/unreserved coaches..they dont enter a/c and 1st class coaches..

machadinha · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:22

So what's so frightening about hijras? I may seem wilfully naive here but I just honestly don't get it.

They're human beings you know, you can speak to them. Interesting folks really, like most folks.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by issac_new

is this becuase they find it entertaining (like a busker), 'superstision'(ie they give money to ward off homosexuality), sympathetic (like your average begger), or are just they so embarrassed they pay them to stop.

I guess most of the people do that as they get embarrassed...

and people please..this is my request ..do not promote begging in any form...Please control your emotions and do not give anything ...

I firmly believe that by giving any sort of thing to any roadside to any beggar you are seriously spoiling the future of a country OR atleast a person...

Its a crime to give to beggars and government has made law with something in mind...

If you feel the compulsion to do something good then donate to some charity or school or shelter...

machadinha · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:29

Er, Shashank, I'll gladly give to beggars or invite them home or look them up whenever I feel like, thank you.

They need to live just like you and I. You know? It's rarely an actively chosen lifestyle. Put yourself in another's shoes for just one second.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

So what's so frightening about hijras? I may seem wilfully naive here but I just honestly don't get it.

They're human beings you know, you can speak to them. Interesting folks really, like most folks.

I dont know the right term..but I believe it would be equivalent to being spotted with a shemale on train..

machadinha · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:33

Yes, so they make the observer uncomfortable about their sexual identity. That's the observer's problem however.

I'm sorry if I'm losing my sense of humor here but I get tired of these shallow reflections on people who are not like you, yes, it's true.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Er, Shashank, I'll gladly give to beggars or invite them home or look them up whenever I feel like, thank you.

They need to live just like you and I. You know? It's rarely an actively chosen lifestyle. Put yourself in another's shoes for just one second.

Mach ...it will make you a nuisance for us and nothing more than that...

Playing with our future because you like to and felt emotional..because you imagined yourself in their shoes..

What you didn't see was that it might have started in desperation but now it has become a profession OR you cannot see the mafia behind it...they simply chop of the limbs so the people like you can sympathize...

Amyth · Jul 24th, 2007, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

I dont know the right term..but I believe it would be equivalent to being spotted with a shemale on train..

If you are looking for the scientific term, it is -hermaphrodite. It is a biological flaw, where a human is born with both male and female - sexual and/or reproductive organs. Let's not forget it's not their fault, and unacceptance in society drives them to seek a living through tawdry behaviour in public !Who is responsible?! Of course it includes me too...

pundabee · Jul 24th, 2007, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

and people please..this is my request ..do not promote begging in any form...Please control your emotions and do not give anything ...

I firmly believe that by giving any sort of thing to any roadside to any beggar you are seriously spoiling the future of a country OR atleast a person...

Its a crime to give to beggars and government has made law with something in mind...

If you feel the compulsion to do something good then donate to some charity or school or shelter...

Don't tell people what to do. You write on your blog that you "understand Western as well as Indian cultures". Maybe you should take crash course on what life entails for the millions of Indian people who are less privileged than you?

Also, I would encourage getting some more life experience; it may help you get rid of your bigoted views on people who don't fit the stereotype (Hijiras in this case).

So, how does it feel being told what to do?

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 24th, 2007, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amyth

If you are looking for the scientific term, it is -hermaphrodite. It is a biological flaw, where a human is born with both male and female - sexual and/or reproductive organs. Let's not forget it's not their fault, and unacceptance in society drives them to seek a living through tawdry behaviour in public !Who is responsible?! Of course it includes me too...

I understand the science behind it and I totally agree with you..but I still myself too embarrassed to be spotted with one..maybe it have to do the label that you get from your friends and society..

but still I will try and improve on that !!

capt_mahajan · Jul 24th, 2007, 13:05

Just an offtopic comment on hijras.. they aren't always born that way. There is a history of forced and voluntary castration there, though both Pakistan and India claim that this is much reduced, or non existent now. Not so sure myself.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 24th, 2007, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by pundabee

Don't tell people what to do. You write on your blog that you "understand Western as well as Indian cultures". Maybe you should take crash course on what life entails for the millions of Indian people who are less privileged than you?

Also, I would encourage getting some more life experience; it may help you get rid of your bigoted views on people who don't fit the stereotype (Hijiras in this case).

So, how does it feel being told what to do?

I have answered you in my next post as we cross posted..and I don't understand how did you made out I had Bigoted views on Hijra..

any by the way there were several 'please' that were mentioned in that post about "NO to Begging !!"

capt_mahajan · Jul 24th, 2007, 13:13

Giving or not to beggars is such a personal decision, isn't it.. and sometimes a spur of the moment one, for me.

But I often give to the elderly or the handicapped. Much to my wife's annoyance.

vpsingh · Jul 24th, 2007, 13:15

I don't like giving anything to beggars. I have been occasionally reading about scams -

This appeared in February.
You feed a 150-cr biz-Delhi Times-City Supplements-Cities-The Times of India

I think helping one of those charities or orphanage is a better idea.

As for touts, they should be jailed, if they can't be shot.

Jul 24th, 2007, 12:22	#18
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 11,153	So what's so frightening about hijras? I may seem wilfully naive here but I just honestly don't get it. They're human beings you know, you can speak to them. Interesting folks really, like most folks. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jul 24th, 2007, 11:39	#16
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dhaka Posts: 3,568	I do not let begging children grab my arm and hang on me; they do not act that way with Indians and I won't allow them to get away with it with me. If they will not let go, I'll slap them. When I'm outside of the heavily touristed cities, I see few beggars, and those are often blind. I don't mind giving them a couple of paise, as they are not chasing me down the street demanding tribute. The only time I ran into a group of hijras on a train, I wanted to help them with their makeup! Anyway, they were getting off and I greeted them with a big smile. I know a bunch of drag queens here, and they'd be appalled...

Jul 24th, 2007, 12:29	#20
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 11,153	Er, Shashank, I'll gladly give to beggars or invite them home or look them up whenever I feel like, thank you. They need to live just like you and I. You know? It's rarely an actively chosen lifestyle. Put yourself in another's shoes for just one second.

Jul 24th, 2007, 12:33	#22
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 11,153	Yes, so they make the observer uncomfortable about their sexual identity. That's the observer's problem however. I'm sorry if I'm losing my sense of humor here but I get tired of these shallow reflections on people who are not like you, yes, it's true.

Jul 24th, 2007, 13:05	#27
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,602	Just an offtopic comment on hijras.. they aren't always born that way. There is a history of forced and voluntary castration there, though both Pakistan and India claim that this is much reduced, or non existent now. Not so sure myself.

Jul 24th, 2007, 13:13	#29
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,602	Giving or not to beggars is such a personal decision, isn't it.. and sometimes a spur of the moment one, for me. But I often give to the elderly or the handicapped. Much to my wife's annoyance.

Jul 24th, 2007, 13:15	#30
vpsingh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 101	I don't like giving anything to beggars. I have been occasionally reading about scams - This appeared in February. You feed a 150-cr biz-Delhi Times-City Supplements-Cities-The Times of India I think helping one of those charities or orphanage is a better idea. As for touts, they should be jailed, if they can't be shot.

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