I was in Shenzhen earlier this week, and upon exiting a taxi, and before I could get out, a beggar had her hands inside the taxi, in my face, asking for money.
I got out of the taxi, and handed her a packaged pastry I'd bought at a 7-11, pre-planning for occasions like this. But, she handed it back to me. Given all the weird preservatives in those things, that was probably smart of her!
I also saw a lady selling steamed sweet potatoes near the border. These things are great!
You'll notice that her giant heating container is on the back of a bike. Not the most convenient way to travel, but when the police come to shoo away sidewalk vendors, they have to be able to change business locations fast!
I walked towards the border, and was approached by another beggar. She asked me for my sweet potato. I know that beggars have to meet a certain quota of money, so that they can keep their jobs (and probably to keep from being beaten). So they're usually not interested in food. Anyway, I think this is the first time a Chinese beggar has asked me for food! And, I was much happier giving her a sweet potato than a coin.
I still don't know how to respond to beggars, except to pray that God will hear the cries of the poor, and bring conversion of heart to the managers of the begging syndicate in Shenzhen.
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