If it's profitable to be a beggar, would you be one?
By poohgal
@poohgal (6845)
Singapore
January 14, 2008 9:14am CST
There are some beggars in my country (Singapore) making big bucks. Some reportedly earn around SGD 6000 or USD 4200 a month. In the first place, there are not many beggars in my country. Many of us here will usually give $2 if we walk pass one. I guess the reason why it's profitable to be a beggar is because there are not many around. Since there's no competition, the chances of getting more money is higher.
Most of the beggars I've seen in my country so far are either very old or physically challenged. I have not seen any young children or physically abled people begging (hope never to see).
Being a beggar is not as easy as we think. People with very high egos definitely cannot be one (like myself).
If you live in my country and one day you lose your job and has no money, would you consider to be a beggar?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
15 Jan 08
Being a beggar actually is not something shameful for those eldery ple or handicapped ple.. Because other than that, they have no other means of survival.. ANd not all their family is willing to care and support them.. Thus, begging to them is the only way out.. How matter how high is their ego, when it comes to survival, ego means nothing.. If i were to be in this scenario, i will be one when i really had no choice.. BUt as long as i have my limbs, i wun be a beggar =P
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
15 Jan 08
Actually, I don't think this profession is allowed in Singapore.
Those "beggars" you see are really selling things (actually doing it without a licence is not allowed too lol..).
Just call the police if you see one - you can actually helping them. What the police will do is NOT to throw them into jail. Instead, they will arrange for welfare groups to look into their situation and help them.
Now, want to give me a dollar? (Make that $3 if you please since chicken rice is not as cheap as before.)
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
15 Jan 08
Ya.. will do that. I hardly see beggars nowadays. Used to see one outside coronation plaza. The lady is very big sized and could hardly move. I think she is no longer there.
Now, I see more of buskers. I think most are licensed to perform.
As for those aunties and uncles selling tissue paper, I think most of them have no licence. It's not easy for old people to earn a living (and the government is making it more difficult for them to take out CPF money). I'll usually buy some from them if I walk past them.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
15 Jan 08
The thought did cross my mind before.
But the stigma attached to being a beggar is something I cannot see happening to myself.
Unless there really, and I mean REALLY, no other choices, and begging is the only way to put food in my mouth, then I will still have to humble myself to do it.
It is a very big step to take to actually beg for money.
I dunno. I did consider the option, but never really took steps to do it.
1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
15 Jan 08
Even it can earn a lot for being a beggar, but I still prefer to make a living by my own efforts. I don't like to beg others to give me money. I have my own dignity and money can't buy it. I don't like people who get money without any efforts. It is a shame.
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
15 Jan 08
Begging is illegal in Singapore. These so-called beggars are courting trouble with the law. But begging can be such a lucrative "business" that some people rather risk the law than find themselves jobless and penniless.
Having said this, I recall a recent news report that many of the beggars seen in Singapore nowadays are actually foreigners, who are here on social visit passes. Some are from third-world countries, and because the Singapore currency is stronger than theirs, the money they can make begging comes to quite a significant sum. It was also reported that some of the beggars are parts of organized foreign syndicates. I believe the authorities are watching the activities of these syndicates, to ensure that the problem doesn't grow to unhealthy proportions.
1 person likes this
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
15 Jan 08
Yes. I know it's illegal. Just asking to see how people feel about this profession.
Anyway, I read about the beggar who earns $6k a month in the newspaper sometime ago. This beggar comes from China. I also hope that the authorities can do something about this too.
@tonyllenium (6251)
• Italy
15 Jan 08
in reality i never considered to be a beggar..before!!if is it true that they earn so much montly in your country is incredible!!so i think that if they earn so much things work as in my country such asnot as we think now!!in fact in my country in realityi don't have an idea about beggars earn but there are many,especially one who are in the mejor cities who are under the criminal orgasations such as all they earn it is not yours but come in the criminals hands!!so may b in your country it can eb as so..because it seems impossible that if a beggar earn so much nobody especially criminal organisation never think about this possibility to earn money!!so in my opinion the system work also there as so...because if you earn 6000$ montly are too much money..
