In Reply to: Begging children posted by Stuff on Monday, 20. June 2005 at 15:43 Bali Time:
Some hotels have them, too: little bags with one or two biscuits in them. Or just buy a pack of individually wrapped biscuits and keep a few in your bag/pocket. Or a few pieces of fruit (but nothing squishy).
You'll be able to tell a truly poor person from a professional beggar if you give them food. I've had people refuse the biscuits and ask for money before. This happens more often than not in Kuta. Only once in Java have I had a beggar refuse food. Most often, they say as many thank-you's and blessings as they can before they get the food in their mouth.
All Indonesians advise that it's best to not give. It's part of the culture for the village or Banjar to look after everyone as best they can. Sometimes people fall through the safety net, and cannot find a friend or family member to help them. But that's pretty rare.
The other side of the coin is that there are always thousands of people in Bali with money they can afford to throw away, so why not catch a little? It's pure opportunism, and all it costs is your dignity. (Though most Indonesians would rather starve before begging.)
It's hard not to give, but usually it is best not to. There will always be exceptions.
Another thing that happens a lot in Bali but rarely in Java is the sort of begging that is incorporated into a normal job. Like the taxi-driver or guide who happens to mention his sick child to help make it easier for you to give a big tip.
I always give a big tip to people with sick children: stop littering.