Geeze you’re a sick puppy! You really clicked on a link for ‘missing appendages’? Sorry to disappoint, but this is about the beggars in Siem Reap, not about amputees (though in many cases they are one in the same).

As with most third world countries, there are a lot of extremely poor folk in Cambodia. And some live close enough to touri gathering places to be able to scramble after the visitor dollar. Kids with snot running down their noses seem to do the most business (yep, cruel statement, but I’ve never seen so may kids that need their nose wiped than I did in Cambodia!) Mom’s cradling the young against their breast come in #2. Siem Reap’s land mine victims place #3 for touri handouts . . . but they’d probably place higher if there weren’t so many of them. My favorite are the old folk. Maybe because I’m getting up in years. More likely because I find them the most photogenic. And yes, I give ‘em cash if I take their photo . . . if they are not pushy I give ‘em some money anyway - not that’d I’d do that back home. Hmmmmmm.

Which brings me to my point. Finally. Most beggars I’ve run across in SE Asia (as opposed to those trying to sell you something) are not in the least bit pushy. They seldom approach you (preferring instead to locate themselves where you can not help but approach them). Their attitude is, well, it’s as though they present themselves to you as someone who needs help. Then it’s up to you. The Buddhist believe doing so is a way of gaining merit, and in most SE Asian countries you’ll see locals often stopping to pass a few coins on to those in need.

Now I’m the last to suggest giving money to panhandlers in the US. But strongly suggest you do so in SE Asia. The coins in your pocket are worth practically nothing to you (and you’ll just end up throwing them away after a few months when you get home). You’d be surprised how many family members can eat off of the change you drop into a local beggar’s palm. Buddhist or not, you will gain merit, at least in the eyes of the local folk. And you’ll feel just a little bit better about having just bartered like a demon for your last purchase, knocking the asking price down for what amounts to about fifty cents.

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