FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - What's with the subway begging in BA?
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Old Dec 2, 2008 | 11:34 am
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britenbsas
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Originally Posted by iahphx
None of these solicitations felt dangerous, but the constant stream of requests makes it a tiring trip.
Probably not quite as tiring as for the destitute people who have to walk up and down the train carriages all day to collect money in order to clothe and feed their family

Originally Posted by iahphx
It seems like it's more than time for the police to do something, but I get the impression that in Buenos Aires, the gov't is very reluctant to stop anyone from doing anything. It's a bad call.
What would you like the police to do? Wave a magic wand and eliminate poverty overnight? Arrest the beggars and "disappear" them? Or hit them with a fine so they need to beg some more or steal in order to pay it?

Begging happens the world over. In London, it was prolific on the subway at one time and yes, there were professional beggars who weren't "homeless and hungry" at all. I'm not defending everyone begging but Argentina is a different story - there are lots of people in genuine need and no effective welfare system in place unlike in the UK. If coming face to face with poverty is so "tiring", I suggest you stick to your taxis.
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