Beggars in Germany

Photo by Tobi.P

Yes! There are beggars in Germany too just like in any other country.

Okay, maybe not exactly like any other country...

We might have different opinions on matters concerning Germany; but we have to agree on one thing:

Germany takes good care of its people. I don´t mean those people who live in Germany. No, i mean the Germans with  "German citizen" stamped on their IDs.

Homeless people receive social help, unemployed people get jobless money, mothers get maternity allowances (Mutterschaftsgeld), families receive child support allowances (Kindergeld), students get loans (BAFÖG)...etc

And now you are confused wondering..."So, what was that about beggars in Germany?"

Begging is legal in Germany. Meaning that anybody can actually start begging anywhere, at anytime with no legal consequences. To which you ask yourself ..."So what the heck!?" "Such a big deal." Some eyes might be rolling too, i guess ;-).

Were it anywhere else in this world, it wouldn't be a big deal; but Germany is that country with an overload in  bureaucratic with always a law governing everything everywhere; well, with the exception of  "begging".

To really understand how crazy that is; maybe you need know that, even a city entertainer needs authorization. You know those musicians who entertain pedestrians hoping to be discovered by some huge label company one day and make a great career? In larger cities like Munich, the musicians even have to pay some fee. But none of that applies to beggars!

And this is where things go really wrong.

Organized criminality has spread through out the country. These are powerful "Mafia organizations=Bettelbanden" that bring foreigners mostly women from south east Europe to the country and keep them as their begging slaves. In the morning they are set off to the streets, they are watched over during the day from a distance and in the evening they cash all their earnings to their bosses. The bosses don´t earn poorly, i must add. Its a business which is apparently paying off.

There is a small percent of beggars though, people in real need. No business, no pretense! Overwhelmed mothers, sick men, mentally disturbed women...name it. People who would treasure every cent they get.

And so citizens are usually caught in a predicament; " Should i give that beggar some money or not?" "If i give the money, am i doing any good or am i supporting criminals?"

This is an individual decision. I love giving my money to pedestrian entertainers; dancers, singers, jugglers, musicians....  There i can be sure that these are people in real need, who do whatever they can to earn a living.

I wish you all the best for the week. Think twice before giving the beggar at your corner some money. Es ist nicht immer so wie es scheint! But whatever it is you decide to do; give with a cheerful heart!!!

Thanks so much for reading.

Lots of luv
ItsRose_Beth