And another General Note About The Culture and Experience So Far

The hospitality and friendliness I have been shown has been tremendous - nevertheless – it’s been my experience that people are basically kind and generous wherever you go in the world. Visit a foreign country and express a genuine interest in learning about their culture and way/s of life and they’ll be only too please to show you the way. That’s exactly what’s been happening here.
Everybody I’ve ever spoken to who’s already visited this country has commented on the striking contrast between rich and poor existing in close proximity. You can listen to the words people speak, but you can rarely appreciate the truth of their words until you experience what they’ve describe for yourself. So it is that the difference between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ here is absolutely staggering – and very difficult to either comprehend or come to terms with. Being white, I’m mega-conspicuous and fair game for any street trader or member of the destitute and begging fraternity – and there are plenty of them, especially near the busy and popular areas.
I’ve been in taxis and rickshaws at traffic lights when various people suddenly appear, hands meekly outstretched, speech mumbling low and indiscernible, hopeful of a few rupees (and I mean 1’s and 2’s) to help them out in their intolerable situations [approx 80 rupees = £1]. Many of the girls/women carry small children or babies, some are disfigured [I’ve only spotted male versions of these so far?] but I find all of them very making me feel very uncomfortable/guilty, and I just want to carry a plastic tub of rupee coins ready to hand out as each situation arises.
Speaking to the people that act as assistants, stewards and guides presents a different complexion – “don’t give them anything – these people can work, they just choose not to because it’s easier”; “the children are rarely their own – they share them around to help the begging process”; “sometimes you can see the women will pinch the babies before they go into the road in order to make the baby cry, then this is more convincing”
‘but are the jobs available?’ says I . . . “yes they’re available, these people are just lazy” . . . . . Hmmmm . . . it’s a tough one there’s no doubt, and a complicated situation perhaps – but that doesn’t make it any easier to witness.