Who has been harassed by beggars and loitering when in another country?

Question

I was in Ensenada, Mexico recently and my mother and I were harassed so bad by beggers and loitering that we had to cut our time there short . I understand that you may come into contact with this when on the streets but we were in a resteruant and people came in harassing us and no one seemed to mind including the workers! Is this how it is in a lot of countries? I live in the US and I know there are laws against this. I am just curious. I know it is probably not like this everywhere though. Who has had this expereince and in what country was it in?

I was quite humbled bu the expereice but I was also very troubled by it as well. Especially seeing the homeless children. It really opened my eyes to see how other countries live,

Answer 1

Well, first you have to look at the cultures of Ensenada. Their government system has no "wlelfare assistance" or "government hand out programs" such as the "Great U.S.A".

Think of the thousands of Americans who could easily play the same role, if we didn't have State and Federal assistance?

Their children are forced into labor; as their mothers and fathers work, so does the children.

When you see children in the streets of Ensenada begging.....They only wish they could be going to school, or taking up sports, or learning to dance.

This should humble you...Be greatful for the freedoms of the U.S.A.

I take it, this is your first trip outside U.S.A?

Answer 2

I encountered a lot of this in India, not in the restaurants, but next to temples, in the auto rickshaws and at the street fairs. Some of the women had babies, and they would trade them around. They all spoke in a very monotone voice and kept putting their hand to their mouth signalling that they were hungry. And they had empty, almost souless eyes. It really bothered me and I always wanted to give them money, but of course you shouldn't.
Beggars are more prevalent in poorer countries like Mexico and India. They also see tourists who obviously have some money and gravitate towards those tourist traps.

Answer 3

My husband and I crossed the border into Mexico. The children would beg you to buy pencils and candy. The adults had bigger items for sale. The drug addicts were terrible too! I saw them shoot up on the street and even saw one passed out in a alley way. The cops are corrupt there too. I hated that part of our trip, but otherwise enjoyed my time there.

Answer 4

Same here, in Puerto Vallarta Mexico-however the hotel was able to keep them off the hotel property. Once you hit the beach or town, your open game! We learned to say sternly No MAS real quick!

Answer 5

I was harrassed by beggars in San Francisco on my way to a conference. I walked with some friends on the way back to my hotel.

Answer 6

me and my girlfriend were sat on a bench in paris (champs elese, not a toff!) and this old woman and her daughter walked up and sat next to us holding her hands out and talking in french, i couldn't understand her completely but she realised we were english and said could i have about 'tree fiddy' and i reallised it was that damm loch ness monster again! lol south park is a killer.

no seriously, she asked for some change and we only had cards and notes.

sorry for the south park gag, sad i know

Answer 7

yeah, i went on a mexican cruise year before last and when we stopped in cabo there were kids as young as 4 out on the streets askingus to buy stuff, like lil handmade dolls and stuff. it was horribly sad. i didn't expect that out of cabo.

Answer 8

That happened to me in the Bahamas once. My friends and I were followed in the streets until we gave.

Answer 9

Nope..I went to Barbados and I haven't EVER been harassed. I love Barbados..But Mexico, has their own problems

Answer 10

i encoutnered a few in south africa but they were not aggressive like you encountered - there were a few who played music outside the grocery. there was another guy who sat on a bench and carved ashtrays out of babmoo - they would ask everyone to buy but if you said no thanks they did not push.