tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post2547855987447809243..comments2023-12-16T05:27:05.041-06:00Comments on mexpatriate — in the key of steve: begging offSteve Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00468378507171761868noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-29224948603038380862011-07-28T15:56:47.587-05:002011-07-28T15:56:47.587-05:00Some of the physical disfigurements here are heart...Some of the physical disfigurements here are heart-wrenching. And those I never pass by.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-46228553113082435512011-07-28T15:55:56.490-05:002011-07-28T15:55:56.490-05:00And too often, if the grandmother is poor enough t...And too often, if the grandmother is poor enough to beg, the rest of the family is just as poor.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-12989968634837528842011-07-28T15:55:04.660-05:002011-07-28T15:55:04.660-05:00I never thought of giving away my leftovers. But ...I never thought of giving away my leftovers. But it makes sense. I did that in The States. No wonder the woman had no compunction about asking me for it.<br /><br />Very nice story about giving change to the women beggars. The only bad encounter I have had in San Miguel was a middle aged man who was obvioulsy drunk and quite beligerrent in his demand for money.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-42688646342695213502011-07-28T15:30:06.082-05:002011-07-28T15:30:06.082-05:00About 12 years ago here in San Miguel while travel...About 12 years ago here in San Miguel while traveling with a group of women I didn't know prior to arriving here, an elderly woman approached us for a donation.<br />None of the women paid attention to her. Our driver for the day went to his van, got change and gave it to her. I asked Julian later about it and he said, "We always give to the elderly. Their toil and lives have given us better lives today. But, he continued, we do not give to the children, they need to learn to work". <br />I've never forgotten that and purposely keep coins at the "ready" position in my pocket so as I walk down the street I can very discretely give them money.<br /><br />As far as Christopher Columbus goes, they honor him on his birthday with bouquets of flowers piled up at the base of his statue. Their reasoning I don't know.<br /><br />And lastly, "para llevar" food after a meal and I always give it to someone on the street. It's a good thing...........Babsofsanmiguelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-64202840871989171562011-07-28T13:32:03.206-05:002011-07-28T13:32:03.206-05:00Kim asked where are the families of these elderly ...Kim asked where are the families of these elderly women beggers. Answer: They have slipped across the border to find work. When they have earned a pay check they send it back to their families, to their, widowed mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, etc.Mcottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-55088215333053709382011-07-28T08:26:31.329-05:002011-07-28T08:26:31.329-05:00Always good to care about one's fellow (wo)man...Always good to care about one's fellow (wo)man. We have particular beggars we sponsor more than others. A couple that live in our Hood that we see on many of the streets in the area. He has a club foot; she is saddled in a wheel chair. They have two young children - we always stop and give them a coin. Also we never pass a dismembered beggar - it just seems so obvious - their need and inability.<br /><br />As you suggest the good feelings of helping others is reward in itself. I think those opportunities are a great blessing.John Calypsohttp://pulse.yahoo.com/_RGUDKQ2RDPSEKODPLZPKN2D2TAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-86865761705412849512011-07-28T01:13:52.991-05:002011-07-28T01:13:52.991-05:00Good to hear from you again.Good to hear from you again.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-65305991968264636572011-07-27T23:38:19.560-05:002011-07-27T23:38:19.560-05:001 John 3:17 MSGIf you see some brother or sister i...1 John 3:17 MSGIf you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.Lludwick2568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-78562605471507016262011-07-27T22:45:50.530-05:002011-07-27T22:45:50.530-05:00One things I really appreciate about blogs and com...One things I really appreciate about blogs and commenters is the things I learn. And i expect to keep on sharing as long as I blog.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-32863560344733058262011-07-27T22:42:43.733-05:002011-07-27T22:42:43.733-05:00Attending a Salvation Army church really opened my...Attending a Salvation Army church really opened my eyes to the number of opportunities we encounter every day. And not just the poor. Sometimes a kind word to the grumpy neighbor may be the only nice thing that has happened to him that day.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-25338178190109057672011-07-27T22:39:58.549-05:002011-07-27T22:39:58.549-05:00And I like the fact that it is now an automatic re...And I like the fact that it is now an automatic reflex.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-76735654724581606932011-07-27T22:38:54.971-05:002011-07-27T22:38:54.971-05:00It is the writer's dilemma.It is the writer's dilemma.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-3742569432490276012011-07-27T22:36:38.542-05:002011-07-27T22:36:38.542-05:00Only good can come of generosity.Only good can come of generosity.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-63844415611388518642011-07-27T22:09:50.371-05:002011-07-27T22:09:50.371-05:00Thank you for this post, Steve. I struggle with ho...Thank you for this post, Steve. I struggle with how to deal with beggars, too. Your post, and some of the comments, have shown me ways in how I can be helpful.Barbhttp://www.fromthesnowtomexico.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-4657212549328132022011-07-27T19:21:43.022-05:002011-07-27T19:21:43.022-05:00If F and I have leftovers in a restaurant, he alwa...If F and I have leftovers in a restaurant, he always takes them and finds some poor soul who can benefit from them. Frankly, as a Gringo, this would have never occurred to me. But the recipients are always thankful for the food. <br /><br />I'm sorry that so many live in such dire straits, but it's nice to be able to help in a very small way. <br /><br />Saludos,<br /><br />Kim G<br />Boston, MA<br /><i>Where we feel sorry for those ancient Mexican homeless women. Where are their families?</i>Kim Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-34670059271521131352011-07-27T18:11:04.382-05:002011-07-27T18:11:04.382-05:00I've been visiting Mexico since 1973, and one ...I've been visiting Mexico since 1973, and one of the hardest things for me to accept was beggars. We're just not used to that here in the U.S. I do remember hobos occasionally coming to the back door in the 50's, and although we were poor, we always had enough to share. Those guys were so grateful and courteous. Over the years my spirituality deepened gradually, and I became aware that the opportunity to help is, in itself, a blessing from God. So, it costs nothing to share. I do like the idea of grabbing the first coin you touch, so the deliberation as to "how much" is eliminated.Cherinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-50366939806936184832011-07-27T12:33:21.316-05:002011-07-27T12:33:21.316-05:00Hmmm interesting, I was about to post a "tale...Hmmm interesting, I was about to post a "tale" and changed my mind for exactly the reason you wrote in the response above. Iron does sharpen iron and thank you for that.NWexicannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-17831889917587592522011-07-27T11:55:00.255-05:002011-07-27T11:55:00.255-05:00A good friend on Isla Mujeres would often leave th...A good friend on Isla Mujeres would often leave the leftovers from his dinner on the wall of an abandoned building across the street every night. He knew the workers from off-island sleeping there would like the food. One time we were on the beach having a shrimp feast and a local beach vendor stopped by. A Mexican friend offered him the leftovers, and he eagerly sat down and ate. At first, I felt bad about watching a man eat our leftovers from our plates, but then I realized he was hungry and greatly appreciated it. Feel good about it!Becknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-55003074447075301812011-07-27T09:32:36.778-05:002011-07-27T09:32:36.778-05:00When I was in Salem, I would often do that by invi...When I was in Salem, I would often do that by inviting the person to have lunch with me or to share my dinner with the homeless men who lived in the park near my house. Sparing the time is often more important that the food itself. This is just another reason why I need to learn better Spanish. To have conversations like that here.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-72504344388951331922011-07-27T08:50:26.171-05:002011-07-27T08:50:26.171-05:00I remember my grandmother (one of the truest Chris...I remember my grandmother (one of the truest Christian persons I have known) instilling in me at a very young age that those of us who are fortunate to have enough have an obligation to help those less fortunate...and not just financially. Often times I will offer to buy them something to eat at a nearby place rather than just give them pesos...that way I will be sure my donation is used as I intended rather than spent on a cheap bottle of Oso Negro!Charlesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-61249347406489719842011-07-27T08:24:26.088-05:002011-07-27T08:24:26.088-05:00In Melaque the beggars are about half men and half...In Melaque the beggars are about half men and half women. That is one thing that has struck me as being odd about San Miguel. The beggars are almost exclusively older women.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-24876101458275741792011-07-27T07:34:26.114-05:002011-07-27T07:34:26.114-05:00Steve, I was trying to post as Theresa in Merida, ...Steve, I was trying to post as Theresa in Merida, not Theresa Diaz de Gray would you please delete that previous comment and this one. <br />Thanks,<br />´TheresaTheresa Diaz de Grayhttp://profiles.google.com/tdiazdegraynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-53526064698238016462011-07-27T07:32:34.002-05:002011-07-27T07:32:34.002-05:00Steve,
"Nothing could have been a better exa...Steve, <br />"Nothing could have been a better example of American excess being put to an appropriate use". Isn't that rather Biblical in spirit? I remember something about beggars and the left overs from a feast.<br />Sometimes I give my six peso bus fare and walk home. Sometimes I give whatever small coin I have. It all depends on how I feel, but I know that can't give to everyone. I stopped trying to figure out who to give to, my neighbor told me "It's not my place to figure out who is deserving of charity, my part is to give. It's up to God to decide who is deserving. " <br /><br />regards,<br />TheresaTheresa Diaz de Grayhttp://profiles.google.com/tdiazdegraynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-46529730679884049312011-07-27T07:25:11.987-05:002011-07-27T07:25:11.987-05:00I restrict handouts almost exclusively to women ba...I restrict handouts almost exclusively to women based on the fact they get the short end of the Mexican stick in most instances. I almost always give either five pesos or ten, depending on the situation. Sometimes less, usually because I have neither a five- nor a ten-peso coin in my pocket. Compared to some places, Pátzcuaro does not have many beggars. I've always been surprised at the number in downtown Querétaro.Felipe Zapatahttp://unseenmoon.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289482511228853984.post-88070510127968212842011-07-26T21:52:51.580-05:002011-07-26T21:52:51.580-05:00And that is the rub in our faith isn't it? Th...And that is the rub in our faith isn't it? The softening process is for me. To reflect the love that God has shown me -- rather than trying to earn something from God. I almost did not post this because these tales can sound more often like the latter than the former.Steve Cottonnoreply@blogger.com