Helping Or Being Exploited?

Yesterday, while heading to the grocery store, I had to witness yet again a scene that is familiar, yet always disturbing. This was not a single case, I've seen this scene several times and most likely I will keep seeing if people keep acting as they usually do.

When I was about to enter the grocery store, I saw a man in his late 20's, badly dressed, eating a good portion of fast food meal. He had fried sausage, French fries on his paper plate and an energy drink. Not something I would do, as eating in a place where a bunch of people are passing by every second is not a good place to eat, but I knew right away why he is doing that and what will happen when I exit the store. If you're wondering, the fried sausage is 3 times the price of a normal sausage you can buy at the same place, not to mention the French fries.)

I went in the grocery store, did my shopping and on my way out, I saw the guy at the door again, this time with his hand reaching towards those exiting the shop and asking for some change as he said he needed to buy food. Exactly what I thought will happen. Begging is forbidden by law in my country, so if you're caught, you can be fined. I'm not sure if they actually fine people, or just chase them away, but thy run from the police. This is why you don't see beggars on every corner, but still, it happens to bump into them from time to time.

Before you jump to conclusion, I have nothing against helping any way I can, I'm doing that regularly, by donating to those in need, but these people are not there to ask for help. These people like to take the easy way and wait for others to feed them.

A similar case happened at the same place a few years ago. It was right before Christmas. I saw a woman sitting on the ground in a freezing cold, holding a few month old baby in her arms, begging for money to buy food. Christmas is all about family and giving, so people are more open to helping others, this is why you see these people appearing around Christmas. While I was shopping, I spotted the woman in the grocery store, filling her chariot with the most expensive Christmas ornaments and lights. You can buy these on every corner around Christmas, even in the grocery store. It looked like she had plenty to spend on things that are not necessarily essential when you don't have anything to eat.

Now my question is, is giving these people money considered help or rather feeding exploitation? That meal the guy had is one of the most expensive one, especially now with the latest price hikes, not to mention when you pretend you have nothing to eat. You could buy some food for a whole day if you opt for something cheaper. I bet those giving money to him don't buy such meals as they need to make ends meat. Buying Christmas decorations with begged money is also just crazy.

This kind of behavior is not limited to street begging. You can see similar behavior wherever you go and Hive is not excluded either. Maybe it's packed a bit differently, but it's the same behavior. When I was in my first year on Hive (or the old chain to be precise), this platform seemed like a real money bag for many to many. I remember there was a user who had a different story every two weeks, in her attempt to milk whoever she could. Once time she said she lost her wallet with her ID and debit cards, then two weeks later her grandmother broke her glasses and she needed $100 to buy her new a new pair and these were just a couple of examples. In the meantime she was posting about her nights out at sushi bars and boat trips.

Managing your finances is never easy, but relying on handouts while spending more than you can afford is something one should definitely not do. Using others to feed you and make your ends meet should not happen either. Financial security should be first on your list, if you'd like to worry less about finances in the future.

My question is, are you helping those who you know are not making anything to improve their situation and relying only on external help or handouts? Are you ok with taking from you and from your family to give to those who are not willing to make an effort to improve their living conditions? Have you ever seen such a situation?

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