I Beg to Differ

Some time ago I posted about the persistence of the shoe-shiners and postcard-sellers on the street. I have to say, their pluck and determination gets old very quickly.

You can't patronize them even if you want to, because it's never just one peddler. Get your shoes shined and within seconds there will be about a dozen more people all asking for your money; two or three more shoe-shiners, some kids selling gum, an old lady selling postcards, two more people selling wallets and sunglasses, another person selling books, someone selling bottles of water or hollowed-out coconuts, and who knows what else...

That doesn't even count the constant entreaties from motorbike drivers, cyclo drivers, and straight-up beggars.

But the women with babies are the worst. Not because of the emotional blackmail, but because most of them are fake! The babies - and sometimes the young children hawkers too - are controlled by an evil criminal syndicate which forces them to work and then takes all their money, so you're not doing them much good in any case.

Facing a desperate crowd like that, you can't blame them for wanting help - but you really resent them, because there's simply no end to it, and no matter what you do they'll still be back.