| I ask a friend to check how much a beggar earned a day to a beggar one evening while sitting in front of a bar in Hongsong Lu.
We sit on a balmy autumn night as the bar set few table outside. A beggar approach us and pestering us with his bowl. My friend told me afterward that the beggar came from a province outside Shanghai and he earned a day on average about Rmb 70 ~ Rmb 100. I was surprised and understand that is probably why so many beggars now in Shanghai. He earned more than my Ayi, my driver if he hit the Rmb 100 a day. No wonder he had that Chinese expensive cgarttes on his shirt pocket.. The moral, dont give to beggar if you feel compel to donate go to the proper Social organisation. They are listed in the local English magazines or check with your expatriate friends or local folksin the office. There are so many people who are in real dire strait situation and not begging. |
Crime and Beggars in Shanghai