At the Eiffel, there were lots of Gypsies that claimed to have a relative with a critical illness. They all had the same piece of paper, written in English, that begged for money for medical aid. The next day at the Arc de Triumph they were begging using a completely different con involving spirituality (it is difficult to describe them prostrating themselves before us).
To every Grifter, no matter what they asked, I said no.
"Do you speak English?"
"No."
When you reply in an obviously American voice that you do not speak English and thrust you hand at them palm-out, they get upset. But you know what I felt? Nothing. I'm from Boston. I work downtown. Every day I see the same people on the same streetcorner begging for money from the same commuters. At least rotate your begging spot, sell Spare Change newspapers, or provide some entertainment. Do something to earn my pity-money.
In Monmartre there must have been 50 or more artists asking to sketch my wife and I; not that I can blame them for wanting to capture such beauty. I am willing to pay for a service and donate to the arts, so this was okay. What was not okay was the number of artists that asked.
And this is why I have the blanket rule: Never donate to any charity that solicits you, ever. At work I tell my coworkers that I will not donate to their charity walk/children's fundraiser/celebrity golf tournament/whatever. If I donate to one charity, and snub another, it creates tension with coworkers. So I donate to my own charities at my own time and without solicitation. Otherwise it just encourages them to ask for more. Any charity that I donate to that sends me junk-mail for the next year also gets blacklisted, because they just spent my donation on junk-mail. If I want my picture sketched, I'll come to you.
There are genuine situations where people need charity to get back on their feet. There comes a point where people need to take responsibility for themselves and pick themselves up. I will not toss my money down to you on the ground, but I will give you a hand up off it.
