Why are there so many people begging for food in France, don't they get public benefits?

[lightbulb27]

The big cities seem to have the most, I've not seen it at this level before even in 3rd world areas like Peru. What organizations are working to help these people? Is France overwhelmed?

I saw a guy in a wheel chair... with both legs cut off... rollling around asking people for food and money. He got a little change from one guy.

In general, they are passive beggers... they will approach but not aggressively. They are used to accepting a lot of "nos".

I noticed if one poor person gets an ample supply of food... they will give to other poor people. Maybe the problem is just like Jesus spoke about in the Bible... people become too greedy.

[Zack-Bann]

I kid you not just last week I was stopped by a man in paris begging for change
He was 6’4, strong build, in his 30’s
The man is a prime specimen for any blue collar job out there and yet here he is begging for change (didn’t even look drunk or high)


I think it’s a cultural thing.


I come from a “third world” country.
And while we have some beggars it’s never been so predominant.


But I saw beggars in France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland with my own eyes
And I know they fill the streets most “first world” countries


Because these countries have spent decades raising youth into thinking they are owed a living.
Many of them fall into substance abuse but the sense of entitlement never goes away
So they start begging
I’ve seen beggars get offended when you turn them away and are barely grateful if you do give them something. They don’t even do it as a cry for help anymore. It’s just their job


And unfortunately fixing this requires a major cultural shift that won’t just happen naturally


Historically cultures change after wars.
So unfortunately the status quo is here to stay unless people start killing each other again

[DryGermanGuy]

You asked this already, so again: The people begging in France, Germany and the UK are either Eastern Europeans who have the legal right to be there but no (full) access to benefits or completely illegal immigrants.

[lightbulb27]

and they are allowed to stay and exist but struggle daily?

[lightbulb27]

or do the police scoop them up and send them elsewhere?

[lightbulb27]

in hindsight, If I could figure out communications, I'd interview them to get their stories. Their lives have to be "interesting". What a tragedy to see...

I tried... was difficult.

[DryGermanGuy]

European or rather EU citizen freedom gives the right to travel or move or work everywhere. But you have to actually use the system: Register residency, get a tax-paying job and pay into the system. Then, after a year or two you receive the same benefit rights as a natural-born citizen. These people don’t want that. Curious, huh?

[DryGermanGuy]

And yeah, if an illegal without active asylum case is found, he will be arrested and prepared or at least documented for deportation.

[Julie07]

There are beggars all over the world and I don't think the proportion is higher in France than anywhere else in the world. Although I don't know the official figures.


However, in France we have a lot of social assistance

[katiesmuff]

Sounds like what the US is quickly becoming!

[lightbulb27]

i am wondering if it comes this way soon...
Time to ramp up those church food kitchens asap...

[katiesmuff]

In some of our larger cities I think that has been happening for quite some time now.

[katiesmuff]

Won't be long and trump will sign an executive order arresting all the homeless and deporting them home, which is about the time he will find out they are already at home.

[lightbulb27]

lol. maybe he will actually take action to resolve the issue... for americans... but doubt it. were broke except for the billionaires and wealthy businesses.

[katiesmuff]

Someone else who has it figured out!

[Anonymous]

The illegal immigrants don't get public benefits.

[lightbulb27]

probably true, but some I meet are french... and young. One such man refused to work.

[DishLady]

It’s not specific to France, it’s global… “begging” mentality as part of an entitled class thinking they should be given things + the mentality that scraps are ok….

[Zack-Bann]

This is the most accurate analysis of why begging is predominant in “rich” countries

[DishLady]

Thx…

[lightbulb27]

these people have nothing, sleep in the street, beg for food. they are entited? even the birds come by and steal food from our plates. humans here (in france) are very patient... for now.
I see reminders of the "revolution". hunger is a basic need.

[DishLady]

Yes. "Entitled" meaning that somehow they deserve this charity. In many cases individuals don't even take the time to apply for public assistance. As someone who works in a life of service to those in need I've seen both those who work hard to try to get what they can while others are content to beg and feed unhealthy addictions, etc.

[lightbulb27]

there's truth to that I've seen. I don't know all cases. what public service are you in?
Those I see... I have to wonder how they got to the fix they are in. they look stuck. Trumps offer to send people back for free seems a good offer for some in usa. Those in france, look trapped... no $, no way to get it easily... govt is always a challenge. If don't have right documents, can't get documents... don't have $, must find food/water/bathroom/shelter/daily life. screwed.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Free meals are distributed daily in major cities, no matter your citizenship.

People proving they have limited income can also regularly shop groceries for 0€ using non-profit organizations established in the city.

[TonyMetal___86]

There are people all over the world who are hungry and begging for food as far as i know

[beenherebefore]

You should see LA and other cities in the US.

[slatyb]

"So many people?" I was just in Paris and it's far worse here in Seattle.

[Avicenna]

Europe has begging gangs

[Avicenna]

And you should see all the begging and homelessness in DC

[lightbulb27]

really? brother was there and didn't note any. I'll pay more attention to my city. Am seeing more theft.

[Avicenna]

They don’t wear signs, but they’re there

[WhitneySnow]

At least people are charitable

[TheKillerJason]

Because they’re Syrian they’re hungry

[Rahul_44]

I feel like some of them may be immigrants