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Q: What's the deal with the singing beggars?
Some of them are deformed as well, like missing an arm, or have these white spots all over them, and often times they're lying down on the ground, face down, singing in a way that sounds like crying out. I've seen the same in several east coast cities. Also when they are singing, I get the impression they're being forced to do this, like slaves. My Ch. roommate says they're working for criminal gangs who force them to do this, and sometimes give them deformities just so people will sympathize. It almost seems like something in North Korea: "Sing well little Seojong, or your family dies!"
Do you have the singing beggars in your city? Do they creep you out as well?
Ahh Ohh Aiiii Eeeeeee Aiiiii!!!
10 years 32 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
While out with a Chinese friend, i was steered away from the singing beggar, as soon as it was possible. I was told there were a variety of reasons - i will be down-thumbed or corrected: Possible industrial accident/illness and the individual is unable to support himself/herself, Maybe there is no son or daughter to help out, or if there is family, there may be any reason for this. the main problem is lack of social security as i would understand it. As i said, i am probably wrong and would welcome a Chinese poster to enlighten.
It's not cool to make fun of homeless people who are begging for money. They are trying to survive just like you and I.
sam239:
I'm not making fun of them...the way they do this day in and day out creeps me out...I'm not talking about the people who seem like they're genuinely having a difficult time, but ones where it seems like they're being forced to do it.
Some of these people are not beggars at all, there are 3 types:
1. They're known as professional beggars they are fake and can make Y15,000 or more a month.
2. Next are the "Gang Bangers" these guys live together and collect money together and are beggars together, they are often the ones using the music and battery powered equipment playing fake music, yes it's fake, as long as they touch the string it will play the song, also the car feather cleaners and singers. As a group of 10 CCTV says they can make Y50,000 in one month. The record by a group such as this was in Shanghai, it was reported during a beggar gang bust that they made Y146,000 during Chinese New year in 2010.
3. Of course, they are the real poor and homeless people who really need our kindness, but due to the Pro's and Gang beggars, it's very hard to tell the difference.
sorrel:
thanks for clarifying - as I said, any friends steered me away from these guys, so I can see that they were just trying to protect me.
ironman510:
It's just too bad we don't know who really needs our help. in Philippines I always knew who needed my help. But here, it's become an art, sad to say.
dandmcd:
Usually, the leaders of these gangs get 50% of the money earned, so while not all of it goes to the guy begging for cash, he/she does get paid well enough to eat and have a bed to sleep in at night, so they are not a slave as one might think. If they don't earn money, they don't get paid, so on one hand it sucks to give them money, because you are making the gang leaders rich, but if you don't give money, the poor won't be eating a good meal tonight. The ones I feel sorry for are the ones with missing limbs, or other severe disabilities, that probably can't stand up to their bosses, and do what they are told. The healthier ones can up and quit like anyone does at their job, and find a new boss or job out on the streets. Most of them are not homeless, they do have an apartment they share with others most of the time.
So what? We have the same in the west. We call them street musicians. Throw 'em a couple yuan. Some of them are quite good.
On the way to school the other day I passed a guy sitting cross legged by a boy who I assumed was his son, and the son looked dead. Not even joking. I saw some begger in Nanjing covered in burns and scars and boils it was horrendous. Is this all part of the ploy too?
In my area once in a while all the homeless people and buskers are rounded-up put in a van and driven out to the middle of the countryside or home village if it is close.
They are then given a few quid and told not to come back.
Grim...
This was probably the most interesting sight in china. I forget which school in beijing you can find many mothers with babies around the same age begging at the gates of the uni. I.m talking 7-15 of them. It's like I had a really wild bender 18 months ago.
Funny how all the babies are quiet as a doll.
Sometimes it's hard to tell who are the pros and who are genuine. Those with kids who continuously pester you in subways or bar street areas are likely to be fake. Same for those who wear big casts on their legs or arms but look big and healthy underneath.
It doesn't hurt to give to those who are really in need though. If we can treat ourselves to several pints of 30kuai beer a night, then why not occasionally give 1kuai to a beggar? Those who don't come onto you, don't blatantly force you to give your laowai qian, don't follow you everywhere repeating the same verses over and over again are more than likely to be genuine. Those who are very old and sleep under cardboards under bridges or subway entrances during -10C winter nights would likely been more than happy to accept 1kuai so that they can buy a bowl of hot clear soup with one baozi. And if you are white, you might even get your 1-minute rockstar fame moment in the town's own free newspaper.
