Updated: Written: April 14, 2017
Most readers of this blog already know my response to that question. My ire was raised by a recent discussion that was taking place on Facebook. I had never even heard of the term beg-packing prior to this, so it was enlightening to say the least.
Beg Packing: What is it?
Beg-packers is the term used to describe young travellers from first world countries (looking at you America! 😉 ) with little or no funds who have taken to begging on the streets of third world Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia to fund their travels. Who’s to blame for this madness? Parents? Society? or just plain old ignorance?
[the_ad id=”13767″]
BegPacking: Lifestyle funding
Beg Packing is a disturbing trend. I’m guessing from the name, these travellers are mostly backpackers who travel maybe during their gap year or recent college graduates who are “looking for themselves” whatever that means.
Beg-Packing is Acceptable:
A few people on the discussion felt like this was an acceptable way for these youngsters to fund their travels. I heard things such as “at least they’re not stealing” or “you are not forced to give them money” etc. Some said it was the same as “busking”. Busking is quite common in big cities like New York and London where you see young musicians singing, dancing and entertaining for money.
I think there is a slight difference. Busking for the most part are for basic necessities like food and rent or schooling. Most of the people are quite talented and provide a service of sorts for the money. Begging on the other hand is just that. A sign that says “Please support our travels” has no value to the audience.
[the_ad id=”13783″]
Another thing l read was that we didn’t know the circumstances behind the begging. They might have been robbed of funds and are begging to fund their return trip home. If that were the case, I think their signs would reflect that. It might even make people more sympathetic to their plight.
Beg-Packing is Disgraceful:
Yes. I am on this side of the fence. Travel is a privilege, not a right! You can argue all you want about travel being in your blood and something you’ve dreamed of doing all your life. That’s all well and good. Asking someone to fund that dream is obnoxious at the very least.
The world and internet are full of travellers. Bloggers are 2 cents a dozen (we’re so common that even a dime is too pricey). Most fund their trips the old fashioned way. Through hard work and savings. They might be doing this on the road by working online, volunteering, or working overseas as language teachers etc. I have previously written about how l feel regarding the idiot dream sellers. The crowd that sell the quit your day job to travel or travel for free like l do pariahs.
A lot of impressionable kids think it is an easy life. Think about how many times you see the headlines touting the same drivel. The “live in Thailand for $500 a month” headlines. Even if that were true, conventional wisdom would dictate that one should save up a few months worth of living expenses before taking off, not “Oh..I have $500 saved, I’m good to go” or am l wrong in that thinking?
These beg packing signs lead me to think that these beggars left their homes to live this dream without a plan and really believe they deserve to travel and that people should contribute to that. About a year ago, I wrote how my brother needed life saving surgeries in India.
His visa was denied several times. He finally had to bring a medical doctor with him to the embassy in order to get approved, never mind the fact that he weighed less than 70 pounds and could barely walk. His nationality (Nigerian) worked against him. His papers were scrutinized, double, triple and quadruple checked.
[the_ad id=”13784″]
He had to prove that he had the funds to cover the surgery, hospital fees, living expenses during recovery, and of course a return ticket etc. Are these requirements required of people from first world countries? Of course not! An American can visit freely (no visa fee), doesn’t have to show any funds and even though you’re supposed to have a return or onward journey ticket, it is rarely checked.
The irony is that these are the same people now begging on the streets of Asia! Just try and imagine if these beggars were of African, Eastern European or even Asian descent? How quickly would the cops have arrived to remove them?
Would these kids beg pack in America? probably not. It leads me to believe they know right from wrong, yet they find it acceptable to beg for charity in the very countries where people struggle on a daily basis to eke out a living. A simple job at McDonalds for a few months would go a long way towards funding a trip and satisfying wanderlust, but it seems that they would rather not do that. Too easy! Begging is a last resort for people from third world countries and most, at least in Nigeria consider it utterly shameful. If this was happening there, these beggars would get a good talking to and certainly wouldn’t make a penny.
Beg-Packing: Who’s to blame?
Society:
These kids are growing up in the age of Instagram where the race is on to show yourself in the most beautiful, picturesque place in order to invoke envy from online friends. Imagine that! Showing off to people you don’t even know in real life and ones that certainly don’t care about you one way or the other. Very warped. Are we as voyeurs responsible for this? The stakes keep getting higher and higher. The urge to outdo is real. They will destroy national monuments in their quest for.. recognition?. Instagram fame? It used to be wanting to follow in the footsteps of athletes. Now everyone wants to be IG famous and rich. Talent has taken a backseat.
The above picture is in jest for the most part. It was a cold night in Seville and l was certainly dressed for it right down to my super comfy shoes.
[the_ad id=”14099″]
Parents to blame for Begpacking children?:
Where does this sense of entitlement come from? I have a feeling it might be a combination of this and society. When l look at the kids in the story for example, it’s not a lost fact on me that these could easily be my kids (had l had them very young, extremely young..hahah! 😉 ). What sort of upbringing did they have that makes them think begging is okay? With the kind of upbringing that l had, and l suspect a lot of people my age did too, this would definitely be okay. You wouldn’t even dare to think of it. The thought of bringing shame to you and your family would have prevented it.
Beg-Packing: Shameful Act
Nowadays, I have to say that l feel people as a whole have no shame. This is quite sad. It’s a good thing l have no kids because l think yep! I would have beaten the crap out of them when young to turn them into decent human beings. Now, there is so much coddling and being “friends” with your kids crap.
I still remember interviewing for pharmacy technicians at my old job and having at least 2 of the parents come in with their kids for the interview..and actually wanted to sit in or the dad who flew all the way from Boston to Houston to take the child (19!) to a doctor’s appointment when he got sick in college and was doing everything for him. How is that kid supposed to go out in the real world and not get eaten alive? It’s a disservice to the children and l doubt they would thank you for it in the future. They might however return home and you have to take care of them till you die!
If you’re beg-packing, or are thinking of becoming one and you’re reading this. I say to you. “Cut that shit out and get a freaking job!”. Save up to travel. All the working stiffs don’t do it to because they love working. If you can’t afford to travel, stay the f**k home and save up. There is no shortcut to the good life no matter what anyone tells you. It is and always be the same thing. WORK and/or SAVE or hit up your parents, not the people who can ill afford it. There is my rant for the day :-).
My suggestions to stop begpacking?
- These beggars should be given community service. A few weeks spent serving the actually needy people in said countries.
- Hefty fines!. They can either pony up the money or do a 30 day jail term. This should encourage them to go back home.
- Public flogging, or in lieu of that, a sign that reads “I am a shameless beggar who deserves your scorn and l will return to my country”
Pin it for later:
Have you ever heard of beg-packers? If not, what do you think of this disturbing trend of begging to fund travel? Do you think beg-packing is acceptable or it is an utterly shameful way to raise money?
[the_ad id=”13768″]
“Beg-Packing” – never heard of it and honestly it shocks me to think people do it. There are enough real people (locals) in Thailand, Laos etc that need the money without some frigin dirty backpacker trying to get a cut of the pie (“dirty backpacker” is the term invented by Lissette for all these backpackers walking around SEA barefoot with their hair in dreadlocks). It’s bad enough being a bum at home, but to come from a developed country and to beg overseas? What do you think locals think of these over-privileged white kids begging on their streets? And yes, what does it say about our society?
Oh, I just lost $10,000 on my mutual funds. Maybe I should stick a “please help me, I’ve lost money on the markets”. How much sympathy would that get?:)
I look at those photos you included and I cringe. If my son did that he’d get a hard kick in the balls. Disgraceful is exactly the word that come to mind.
Thanks for this. Now you have ME steaming 🙂
Frank (bbqboy)
Oh my god.. I had tears streaming down my face at the end of your comment about kicking your son in the balls if he did this..because..yes, my mother would totally be able to do this to one of her kids without a second thought if they did this. I was stunned to read it because in order for a term to be coined, it has to be something that happens a lot. Some guy said he caught some pretending to be deaf in a restaurant and chased them out. I think a lot of people in Asian countries are so sweet and kind and would share what little they have, but it sucks to have these people begging for such a frivolous thing. I said something in jest about wanting to pour hot scalding oil on them and someone took it super seriously and wished me and my whole family horrible, ghastly painful deaths (in kind jest as he put it). It is kind of troubling to think there are people out there who think it’s okay to beg. At home you see hundreds, thousands even without limbs, begging on the streets to survive and then you have this? I struggle to think back to the States and if I’ve ever seen someone beg-packing like on the highway. Not hitchhiking, but an actual sign asking to have their travels funded. Colorful Lissette :-). Sorry to have you steaming..but thanks for the laugh :-).
I’m also one to hear the term for the first time, but have known about people doing this, more or less. I would go as far as saying that even the extreme backpackers, those who go dumpster-diving to get their food and sleep under the open sky in a sleeping bag and hitchhike to get to their destination and make it on a few bucks per day, are doing it wrong.
I’m not really one to judge and I could believe that some are actually finding it fun and enlightening, but I doubt that even if travel is in your blood, you get that much satisfaction simply from being in a place different than home, when you’re hungry, dirty, soaking wet because you can’t put a roof over your head… travel is beautiful, meeting new people is amazing, living like a local is just the same, but living as a homeless, I can never see that as an enlightening experience. But at least these people don’t beg and it’s their option.
Beg-packing? I live in a country that’s full of beggars. The situation is so bad that there are signs from the government reminding people not to give money to them, as they encourage this whole thing. There have been news reports of beggars living exclusively in decent (3-star) hotels and moving from city to city in begging for an income. There is a “famous” beggar in the city I live in who built a two-storey house from his begging “income” and has luxuries that many working people don’t.
Therefore, I have no respect and no sympathy for most beggars. Most of them are a fraud and a pathetic excuse for a human being. They are lazy, but somehow manage to go by because people feel sorry for them, although in many cases they shouldn’t. Yes, if they want to travel, they should work and put money aside. They should get money from their parents, they should volunteer, they should do whatever it takes.
Traveling the world usually teaches you so many valuable lessons about life, it helps you grow as a person, it helps you become a better human being. This beg-packing thing seems to be the exact opposite. An egoistic, self-centered excuse of following the trend and living your life and seeming cool on instagram. I am upset that these people are the future. I am upset that other people encourage this. We’re living in a world where we have to be way too polite to all a**holes and all the stupid people who think that they can somehow cheat and get by. This is what they’re doing and as long as it works, they have nothing to learn from it.
I follow a lot of digital nomads and relatively recently I discovered a guy who blindly jumped into nomading without much money and, long story short, ended up at the moment of filming one of his videos with just 2 dollars in his bank account. He had lost his monthly travel permit so he had nothing to ride to his job (and was afraid he was going to lose it because of this). He was at the bottom and was crying – it’s not the stuff you usually publish on YouTube unless you’re looking for some sympathy and money. He not only said that it was one of the most difficult videos to publish, but refused the help of people who offered to send him money. He said that he just wanted to show the world that being a “digital nomad” can be extremely difficult. But he had to suck it up, find a way out of this and so he did. He’s not doing extremely well right now, but much better than then. And he has my respect (and I am sure not just mine). That’s how you do it, not begging to fulfill your dreams.
Wow, sorry for the long rant, it seems that I got a bit too carried away by this.
PS: Just to make things clear, I agree and I can understand that some people are extremely unlucky and, in some situations, they’re so desperate that there’s nothing else that they can do rather than begging. I understand that and I have all the sympathy for those people. But the beg-packers are definitely not them.
Haha! No worries about the long rant. I couldn’t have put it better myself. I especially like the part about living as a homeless person being an enlightening experience. I understand the need to travel, the need to see the world and experience new things, but it should not come at other peoples expense. The people who struggle to feed their families and work, save and maybe eventually travel do it because they also have dreams but realize what is needed to make it happen. How wonderful it would be if we were all to have signs asking for contributions towards our travels. Simply put. If you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t be doing it. You are a young man, even younger than some of the people beg-packing, and know right from wrong. Not all young people think like this, which is a good thing, but it troubles me that there are enough of them out there to have a term referring to them. In Asia and other poor countries, travel is almost impossible for them to achieve as they are too busy just trying to live. At home, I see people who only have upper torsos and just a square makeshift wooden square with wheels on the bottom so they can get around. These people l feel sorry for and help. Imagine the shame of someone beg-packing standing next to them with their signs as if they have the same needs. They look like college educated people too so l would hope they know better. I too admire the man in your story, the digital nomad who refused help and got himself out of the trouble he got himself into. That is commendable. I don’t follow a lot of travelers because l prefer to read stories which unfortunately don’t gather the high numbers, but l will hit you up for the info on the guy as l’d like to check him out. Glad you got it off your chest, I think a lot of people feel the same way you do. Our digital lives are pretty trivial when it comes to the big picture. Nobody cares if we travel or not. If we blog about it and they read..fine. To expect them to actually fund your travels? ..Ummm..NO!!!!
I hadn’t heard the term before either, but it’s no-brainer for me as well. The only good thing that I can say is at least they have a sign that warns you off right away. We have seen this on the streets in Europe as well, but not very often. As we have started traveling more it has been a real eye opener how many thousands of people are traveling for extended periods and full time. Far from judging people – but we often wonder how they do get the money as it isn’t cheap. It took us nearly 4 decades of work and a lot of sacrifices to be able to do this. Anyway, I do congratulate those who have been able to find a way to make it work for them, but hope that this particular practice gets left behind. Tim
It’s true. It would warn you off them right away. There certainly are a lot of digital nomads out there, but l think for the most part people find a way to make it work by working online in some capacity, but yeah..it boggles the mind how so many, many young people can do that. This answers some of it. I also worry about what happens as they grow older and realize they have no savings for retirement. It takes a lot of hard work, and yes money to travel. I hope this beg-packing is also short-lived. People need to grow up!.
I had never heard of it before and do find it somewhat shameful. If you cannot fund your own travels, stay home and work so that you can afford to do so. I do worry about the new trends in our society. I think standards have been lowered so much that I am concerned about the future of the planet.
I thought maybe l was finding it shameful because of my age and upbringing. It’s good to know it’s universal shame! :-). Like you said, if you can’t fund your travels, stay home. The standards have definitely taken a nose dive unfortunately :-(. It used to be to study and make something of yourself. Now it’s more like behave as badly as possible to get instant fame, and forget about school altogether. It’s very worrying indeed. Thanks for chiming in :-).
Nope, I’ve never heard of beg-packing before reading this post. Do people have go fund me pages too for traveling? I’m mostly surprised that there are people out there who would donate to this un-worthy cause instead of telling the wannabe travelers to go find a job. My big issue is horses and dogs who’ve pretty much grounded my travel. I’d like people to donate to their boarding so I can travel or just show up and take care of them for me. No, I wouldn’t just walk away from my responsibilities and people who do just piss me off.
Yes, I have heard of websites springing up now devoted to having travels funded. I think most third world country locals are so kind and are brought up to share whatever little they have that they end up giving money and so contribute to the problem unfortunately. If this happened in Nigeria, for sure they would get a lecture. What you are doing is admirable Unfortunately it seems a lot of people are willing to shirk their responsibilities. It’s insane to think people owe you fun times!!!! I hope it goes away soon, this stupid practice!
Thanks for this post KemKem! I’ve never heard of begpacking either, but I’ve seen a couple of young Westerners, mostly American doing it. Sorry!
In places like Spain! With signs like “I was mugged” etc. I’m thinking if you were mugged, you would call home and get the hell out of the place that took all your stuff!
I’m aware of middle-age Germans going to places like Mallorca, and ending up in dire situations. Most of that is due to alcohol and girls, and the fact they were unemployed BEFORE they left for Spain, and thought that the Spanish islands would be cheap as chips!!! They’re mainly male.
It became so disturbing that it was all over German TV and offers of plane tickets were given, which were REFUSED! I think because it was too embarrassing. But at least they don’t beg. They try to look clean, and work for food and drink.
Now to the backpacking begpackers. I haven’t seen this personally, unless they were slightly drugged up and acting weird. In which case, I kept well away from them! It’s a disgrace for young travellers to go to undeveloped / developing countries where many people live in poverty and expect it to be acceptable. It’s a slap in the face of people who are really poor, and so rude. Is this why they go to these countries? There’s been enough colonialism in the past, no need to do it all over again!
I always advocate for saving up, travelling with your mates, and then returning when the money runs out, then doing it all over again! If you want to really stay in the new country then get a job, and be an expat!
Seriously though, if our son ever did that, he would be disowned! That is what we, his parents, are for. To support him, and help him if he needs it. I would expect that if he ever lost his stuff, or wanted to stay in Thailand or something, we would make sure that he’s saved up beforehand, add the same again because we can, and to encourage him to travel, and then give him a credit card for EMERGENCY only, shake his hand, and wish him luck. And of course, if he needed us, to call home immediately. I’d be outraged if I saw him on the news begging or somethng, rather than doing something worthy!
Having said that, if you went on a crowdfunding website, and explained why you wanted your travels to be funded, and I thought it hilarious, I might even give you a dollar or two!
It’s true that it seems to be more Americans. That’s insane about the Germans. I had no idea. I have sort of heard about the British people who are down on their luck in Spain for failing to prepare, but l can’t believe people wouldn’t take up the offer of transportation back home. You wonder if they burned their bridges or they were running away from something. I know in Malta while we were there, they caught a few expats who were wanted and extradited back to Australia and one back to the U.K. For these youngsters, it would probably be a matter of calling their parents and asking for fare back home. The Tall Young Gentleman seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and with a bit of his mother’s blood, would never do a thing like that because he knows exactly what would happen. As you say, if you really want to stay somewhere, figure out how to do it legitimately. In this day and time, with all the resources available (whatever you can think of, someone has done it before and probably written about it) for free on the net, it’s hard to excuse them. Their begging really is a slap in the face of someone who actually needs help to survive :-(.
Well Kemi, you certainly got your rant on in an interesting and entertaining post! 😉 I too hadn’t heard the term “beg-packing” and find it, to retro back to my mother’s oft-repeated phrase, “highly irresponsible!” First world kids begging in third world countries really is shameful and, on top of it, they’re competing with people who have no other options for those few precious cents. We volunteered for several months in both Guatemala and Nicaragua and, having seen what poverty and malnutrition are up close and personal, can only shake my head in disgust at these privileged yahoos. Anita
Haha! Hard to stop when you get going. I like your mother’s phrase. Seeing how much poverty is around the world really opens your eyes and hopefully make you realize that indeed, that is a first world problem. I have a hard time understanding what their reasoning behind people owing them travel money is..AND without doing anything to earn it. Just the desire to travel is something a lot of the people in these countries can’t even dream of. Privileged yahoos..haha! That should become your phrase.
You’ll find some very sympathetic locals who will share the shirt off their backs or food on their tables because that’s how they were raised. There is a pervasive individualism so ingrained in the western countries..all about me, myself and I. Then you come to the developing countries be it Asia or Africa..it’s another culture at play. People are raised to behave in a community. To share everything they have. And this is what the backpackers are leveraging on..they are tugging at the heartstrings of these poor locals and getting away with iit..when they would have just called mum or dad back home in Murica or wherever they are from and got money wired to them. It’s so wrong! this privilege stinks to high heaven..I would suppose them to be in the same category as folks who leave beaches with trash after their full moon parties or those who per or strip at sites considered of religious or sacred importance to the locals.
You’re right. Maybe the beg-packers count on the kindness of strangers because you’re right, a lot of third country locals will share whatever little they have. An Italian saying “in a poor man’s house, there is always food”. It definitely is wrong. Wrong to take from people who have so little, wrong to expect to be sponsored as such for your frivolous trips. When you travel, you are a guest and are representing your country. Your aim should be to put your best foot forward and not practice such a shameful act. For them not to even see anything wrong with it is even more worrying. It’s such a wrong path to go down and unfortunately can only get worse. Spoiled kids acting out. Lord help us all.
I have never heard of this term “beg-packers” before and have not seen it on my travels at all, just as well or else I would have bitten them up with a long stick…hahaha kidding I do not advocate for violence. I would possibly start with blaming the parents…but again would that be too simplistic? These kids are now adults right? We know that we have no control over our kids actions when they are out in the big wide world…being responsible adults. But one can hope that we have taught them well and have given them good values. I certainly feel very proud of my two kids and what they have achieved so far, they both have excellent work ethics. I do agree that it is shameful and perhaps highlighting the problem will go a little way towards stopping at least some of this people from such disgraceful behaviour. Good post and very good rant 🙂
Haha! It would be too simplistic to blame the parents for everything. They are definitely adults but for sure the parents have some of the blame. You raise entitled kids and this happens when they get out in the real world. Your kids sound like healthy and well adjusted people who would know better than to do this sort of thing. :-). Once my mom visited me years ago in L.A and a young, healthy guy with the “will work for food sign” came up to the window at the red light. She had never seen anything like that. She started lecturing him by asking “what do you think the rest of us work for?” etc.. I just burst out laughing at the stunned look on the guy’s face. We all work to put food in our mouths..hahah!
Well, my first read back after a long stint off and it’s a off with a bang we are! I have never heard of this beg-packing. Seems like you’d want to teach your language or help build a house or farm or something to get immersed in the culture. I’d be interested to read why these (younger?) kids think this is the way to travel. I don’t get it. Seems like a good way to end up dead in the street, raped, beaten, and mauled, scarred for life. My children dream of traveling, but I’m pretty sure they don’t want to see it with a sign declaring they have nothing to share with the world that might be useful. But still, I’m very curious as to what these beg-pack kids say. I’m going to have to see if you have some links back up there for me to read on this very strange trend. (What I really plan on skimming back through the blog for is your new place, though!)————-Terri
Ahahha!! I promise to write about the new place next. I had actually started to do that when l got saw this whole beg-packing nonsense and had to weigh in. I guess it would be too hard for them to actually work or volunteer to fund their travels. So much easier to beg. I didn’t even think that far out as to what could happen to them physically. I have skimmed headlines of girls being raped and wonder if this might have anything to do with begging and/or couch surfing. It makes me feel old when l see this as being really wrong. Glad to see things have eased up a little for you. Yeah!!!! :-).
Well, I told my daughters about this, and they said, “No way! I would never do that.” (Relief.)
I have mulled over the idea that in much of today’s world, there is a lack of self-respect. You cannot truly respect others if you don’t respect yourself, maybe. Dunno. To ponder later.
We are old. 🙂 I think I finally ditched the backpack from my youthful backpacking Europe days about a year or two ago. It was all cracked and falling apart. But it had memories. And my respect. I worked as a pharmacist during med school to pay for that trip. 🙂
Haha! You must be relieved :-). Upbringing definitely has a lot to do with it. Yes, it’s kind of sad that the old core values seem to be disappearing. Seems like teaching kids to do the right thing is almost considered abuse. I’m glad l grew up in the good old days. I’ve accepted the old part :-). It must have been a bit traumatic parting with your backpack. Oh..wow! Great that your pharmacist pay funded the trip. Yeah for pharmacy :-).
Not something I would do, but it works go for it.
Surprising answer, but thanks for chiming in.
Beg-packing? Interesting. I hadn’t heard of that before.
I think of this as the foolishness of youth, I don’t have any moral outrage around it. I do think it’s insulting for kids that grew up in comfortable surroundings (looking at you, America!) to beg for money in places where most people are barley making ends meet. Insensitive at best; foolish, certainly; perhaps stupid (and could even be dangerous).
I remeber my backpacking trip through Europe in the ’70s (and that would be the 1970s; I was in my 20s!). I didn’t have a lot of money but would never have begged in the street. I did lose most of the money I had (thoruigh circumstances I prefer not to remember — they were more foolish than dangerous). I was staying in Paris and had had made some friends there; they put me up while I did odd jobs for American expats (very generous expats. And thanks, even after all these years!)
I borrowed some money from a friend back home and started a summer job — as an illegal alien — making sail boats in the South of France (one of my fondest memories ever!) Then paid my buddy back when I got home.
As for the beg-packers, no doubt they find it all very exciting and adventerous. Perhaps some day they will realize how idiotic they appear.
I love the words you used. Insensitive at best. It’s worrying that they don’t see anything wrong with it. In the past, people didn’t think of doing this. You were brought up to work for what you needed and pay your own way. A friend told me it is the new way of life, crowdfunding, crowdsurfing, couch surfing etc. Everything needs to be shared. I definitely don’t agree with that, but like you said..perhaps we are just old and not “with it” :-). You must have had fun in the 70’s. You found a way to do it and found a way to make it a reality. Even running out of funds did not deter you. That is something to take pride in and look at you telling it with pride so many years later. Can you imagine these kids stories? “I wanted to travel so l begged my way”. Loses something doesn’t it? I hope beg-packing is something very short-lived and goes away as suddenly as it got huge. The world does not need privileged folks taking even more from the ones who need it. Thanks so much for your comment and for sharing your fond memories :-).
Wow, This is my first time of hearing about this but I already do not like the sound of it
Indeed people don’t have shame to sit and beg from hard working people to sponsor their luxuries.
They could actually work during the time they spend to beg and it’s really annoying that they choose not to do so.
There are people with more serious problems who need charity.
Like they say in my country “Some people sell shame and buy disgrace” meaning that they don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed by anything any longer. I’ll leave it there.
This is a great post. I love it
I love the saying. I intend on stealing and using it :-). I was trying to translate it into Yoruba, my language to see if there was anything similar. Definitely very appropriate with regards to this ;-). You’re right, if they put the same time and effort in working, they would have money to fund their travels. Travel is a luxury that not everyone can afford and they just need to sit down (at home) and figure out a way to make it happen. Really, I think feeling “shame” should become a thing again like in the old days. Thanks so much for adding your voice to the discussion :-). I appreciate it.
I’ve never heard of beg packing but as you explained it I can tell that it can be a problem. I think its an lack of pride issue not feeling embarrassed to beg for anything. Great article & well written!
Yep..definitely lack of self pride has to do with it. If you had any respect for yourself, you would never even think that was okay. Thanks for reading and for the comment :-).
I’ve never heard of the term but I’m totally with you on this one. It’s disgraceful! These young people do feel entitled and think things should be handed to them that other people work hard for. I’m sorry, I’m not with it.
I feel you. It’s absolutely horrific that someone would think it was okay to beg, and especially in third world countries. Some say they see nothing wrong with it, and l find that sad indeed. Nobody should work just so you can play. Thanks for weighing in.
Like most of the others I’ve never heard this practice “termed” but I have seen them on the streets of Thailand and the Philippines. Would I do it? Definitely not lol. Thanks for sharing this was a great conversation post!
I’m glad l’ve never seen it. I really don’t know how l would react, but l might have a few sharp words. Having seen so many desperate and actually needy people, it is a slap in the face to want offerings so you can keep traveling. Thanks for the comment :-).
I’ve never heard of beg-packing. That pretty bold of people. I would not support it at all. Safe some money and then travel or don’t travel at all.
Yep! Very bold indeed. If you can’t afford to travel, you really need to stay at home :-).
Nope! This is the first time I’ve ever heard of something like this. I’m against it 100%, traveling is amazing but if you can’t afford it then wait until you can. Simple as that.
It’s good to see so many people be against this, especially younger ones. There is hope for the world ;-). Yep..wait till you have enough to travel on your own dime! Simple!!!! :-).
I have never heard of this term before though I am familiar with the practice as I have read about it in travel forums before. I personally would not participate in this type of travel because of my concern for my safety. I am open to meeting and interacting with strangers when I travel but not to this extent. I think it is a fun adventure for those who participate in this practice but I just would not feel safe.
My mom already worries enough because I often travel alone, this would send her to an early grave for sure.
Thanks for sharing the opposing sides of the argument as it is definitely an interesting topic to discuss among groups of people interested in travel.
It’s amazing how little disregard people have for their lives when you think about it. When you think about all the bad things that happen to travelers while couch surfing etc, you wonder why anyone would want to add to the chances of being assaulted. In India, we saw so many throwaway kids, not to mention stories of rape in the forums. I can imagine a lot of worried parents. Thanks for reading and adding your thoughts. Let’s hope these people wake up and do the right thing. Call mom and dad and go back home to save :-).
I’m definitely not with it. I tend to be on the not acceptable side of things:
Good to hear Lauren! I don’t find it acceptable at all :-).
You. Are. Amazing.
Nuff said.
Oh wait, there’s more 🙂
Honest, straight talking. Call a spade a spade.
Kids who will NOT be able to cope in the real life big bad world. It’s already happening. I knew of someone who became depressed (note- not REAL depression but a whiny, ‘whoa is me’ type) because they left home ( that is, the bank of mum & dad), found a job, had to pay bills, rent & OMG, ‘it’s too stressful!’
I’m firmly with you, it is shameful. If they were genuinely in need- poverty, hunger etc it’s acceptable & no one would judge them but to find their travel??!!
Get a job stupid!
Lastly, this is a sensitive one but to be honest this beg-packing malarkey reeks of white privilege.
Malarkey!!! Hahah! I love that word and is one l always forget to use. Very appropriate here! :-). Someone said to me that this was part of the “global sharing world” that we live in now. My reply was “exactly what are the beg-packers sharing?”. Sharing to me means you give and you receive. They are simply receiving. I don’t call “begging” sharing unless it’s sharing how to be a bum. We had considered couch surfing when we were in Malta. We actually hosted one guy from Kiev which l wrote about and he was a great guest. We didn’t do it after that because the requests became super ridiculous, like we were doing them a favor. It’s amazing the kind of things people have the nerve to request. A world of takers and so many people l know stopped doing it as well. It’s insane that someone is stressed out from having to work in real life..like your parents and the eons of people before you were idiots or something. Parents say they don’t want kids to suffer, but l think they end up doing just that with too much coddling. Yeah..for sure, if it were other minorities doing this, l doubt beg-packing would be the term used ;-). Stay home, save, travel…simple!!! :-).
I’m on the “it is disgraceful” side. I save my own money in order to travel so don’t see myself funding anyone else’s trip
It warms the cockles of my heart to know that most are on that side..older and younger! Love it :-). Go fund yourself..hahahah!!!
I’m trying so hard to follow the, “if you have nothing nice to say” rule. What in the world….this speaks misplaced priorities and privilege.
Hahah! I hear you :-). It’s hard to find anything good to say about this :-). Definitely misplaced priorities :-).
Beg-packing would make me a nervous anxious mess. Not knowing where my next meal or air-conditioned hotel room was coming from? Being forced to choose a 2nd or 3rd class bus because I couldn’t spring for the luxury service? Nope. I’d rather save up the money, find some relatively good deals and focus on seeing cool stuff and relaxing while I travel instead of adding to the begging problem in many places abroad.
Haha! Life is tough isn’t it? :-). The right way to do it is definitely to save up, check out the good deals and then travel instead of like you put it..adding to the problem of the world. It really is a slap in the face to the poor people that really need the help. It can be dangerous as someone else said too. Volunteering and/or working your way through your travel is another way to go. Thanks for the input.
Wow, I’ve never heard of this before @.@ I guess I’ve seen it in a different setting though, where a friend of a friend launched a gofundme-type campaign to get her trip across Europe and Middle East funded because she’s ‘doing it for women’s rights’ (not exactly sure how it was for women’s rights but I remember hearing something about how she’s going to visit women’s shelters in a few cities? I’ve never actually been to her funding site so I’m fuzzy on the details). For the record, she didn’t have a stable job and was living with her parents because she couldn’t afford rent. I thought it was crazy how she was asking strangers for money for the trip but what’s crazier was that some people actually donated! I can’t imagine doing anything like this myself; if my parents found out, they would drag me back home by my ear and lock me in the basement for shaming our family (half joking, but maybe not).
Haha! Your parents sound like mine. For sure they would have done more than lock me up. My mother was always for of saying she brought us into this world and she could take us out just as easily. I grew up with so many cousins etc in the house. Our mom was the one that everyone who was misbehaving got sent to. “If you keep this up, we’re sending you to Mummy Ibadan”. Fear of God ! :-). That gofundme stuff is just as bad. It is just insane to assume that people owe you a living. Women’s right..Haha! I bet she would wave to a woman and that would count as a visit. It’s even more insane that people give money. It just encourages more bums! Let her go back to her parents basement and suck on their teats rather than being a nuisance to society ;-).
Yeah but no! I don’t like this at all. I have trust issues so my first thought would be that it’s a scam and they have money and they just want ours to use instead of theirs.
Haha! A big fat NO is right!!! :-). It is a scam and such a lazy way to raise money. Guilt others into funding your indulgence. We all work hard for our money!!!
I wouldn’t do this but I completely understand if someone wants to travel that way! Great post!
Thanks for the comment Agness. I have to admit l find it really hard to understand why someone would want to travel compliments of hard working people. Begging should be a last resort in my book :-). I’m probably old and old fashioned ;-).