Deaf girls

[MarciaWhitney]

I was approached three different times either before or after Sarria by deaf girls with slates, indicating they want a donation. Does anyone know if these girls come from an area school? Has anyone else met them? What is your reaction? I ignored the requests with a polite smile the first two times. For the third time, I did give money, more because I felt I needed to give money for my soul than to benefit their cause. A friend who spent her life teaching at a school for deaf becomes angry when the deaf beg for money, as she feels it is demeaning. Thoughts? Marcia (from Chicago)

 

[Stephen]

I think they may be professional beggars and it's likely that they're not deaf at all. There was some mention of this in this forum last year.

 

[mspath]

I think they may be professional beggars and it's likely that they're not deaf at all. There was some mention of this in this forum last year.

Here is that thread regarding a scam in Galicia.

 

[jacaranda_daze]

They are fairly active at present and are not deaf at all. I saw them on Thursday just after Ponferrada and again yesterday between the two highest villages on the climb to O'Cebreiro.

 

[ParistoCapeCod]

Very common on the Paris metro!

 

[annakappa]

These girls have been doing this scam for at least the last 3 years, at least over the time that I bumped into them. Usually we have seen them around the Sarria/ Portomarin area. Last year the were even in the Plaza Obraidiro. Do NOT donate anything! Anne

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Came across them today just after Sarria. Cute very polite. Didn't say a word.

 

[CaptBuddy]

Yes, a scam. Worse than giving a donation is the possibility of having something of value lifted from your pockets or pack. I don't know if that happens in these cases, not saying it does, but it does in other areas. We saw a couple of groups of them in Sept. 2012 between Portomarin and Palas de Rei. I wonder if this is a weekend thing, as these areas are popular not just with peregrinos, but also with Spaniards on short holiday.

 

[november_moon]

Worse than giving a donation is the possibility of having something of value lifted from your pockets or pack.

Yes, I have seen this scam used in other areas as a way for thieves to find out where people keep their money and other valuables and as a distraction so that others can pick the mark's pocket.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

In the London olympics they caught a gang posting "Watch out for pickpockets" signs. They would observe people checking their wallets, and knew where to attack!

 

[OTH86]

Is there any connection between the ladies with clipboards along the open Camino and the men with clipboards in the "tunels"? I find the latter a bit disconcerting since they can be out of sight of other Caminantes when I'm walking alone. At least the women are in the open. At least these were my two experiences last fall.

 

[obinjatoo@yahoo.com]

I encountered a group that asked me for a donation and my name and address. I thought that was odd. Figured it was some kind of scam. I gave some small change and didn't give my name and address. If it's a scam, it's on them. .25 Euros isn't going to break my daily budget. As a foreigner on the Camino, I'm clearly ahead of the game financially. I gave away so much money. To churches, hermitages, donativos, cafes, restaurants etc etc. Generosity is a quality I cultivate in myself. It does not matter to me if it's a scam, I'm going to be OK... One thing I learned on my last pilgrimage is that I will never have to go without and I will always have enough...

 

[Peregrinandbearit]

Well, as the stray kitten that mews 'til you offer a saucer of milk, every coin proffered simply encourages scammers to continue working the Camino and pilgrims. If the beggars garnered no "donations," they'd move operations elsewhere. Your .25e may not break your daily budget, but it's of no service to the next pilgrim.

 

[Tincatinker]

These girls have been described as professional beggars. Its not much of a profession but it probably beats prostitution or drug dealing as a career choice. Live far enough out on the edge of society and your choices start to get limited. A beggar is a beggar is a beggar, and it beggars belief that any one would seek to stratify its practitioners.

We can choose whether to give or not, as we would choose to donate or not were these girls genuinely raising funds for a charity. I'll assume they earn enough to make the effort worthwhile or they would try another pitch though I suspect they find little peace to practice their "profession" in urban centres which is why they are out in the woods.

Intimidation and distraction theft is another issue entirely and is why all travellers in strange lands are advised to carry only limited funds in accessible places and keep bulk cash, cards, passports etc close to your body and tucked away.

 

[annakappa]

As far as I know, they are either Bulgarian or Rumanian. They don't work alone, but have a support vehicle ( plus, if course, a BOSS) who checks out on them during the day and can move them, should problems start. ( we saw this happen). Also they aren't deaf, because when I cancelled my name off her sheet ( I had begun to fall for the scam), she became abusive. They have been "working" now since at least 2012, which was the first time I saw them, so it seems they are now in at least their third season Anne

 

[bokormen91]

There's never, in my mind, something as easy as a "yes/no answer" when it comes to letting your money go...

But before you do pass on your change on the Camino - consider this:
Europe, like most of the world has issues when it comes to discrimination towards minority groups. Not all of these issues can be dumped at whatever political party is in power, to compete, people need to get an education - hard to do if you have to beg/steal/lie 12 hours a day.
Trafficking of people in most European countries carries a smaller penalty than trafficking drugs
Why do you only see females doing this? They are the ones that need an education the most, by giving money you'll ensure that this is less likely to happen.

I understand why people give, but - every action has consequences. Just make sure that you are happy with those before you hand money over

 

[obinjatoo@yahoo.com]

It's not for me to judge.... Neither was it for Jesus... In my profession I see the face of poverty, addiction, lack of education and a huge economic and social rift.
Give money or don't but it's not up to me to dictate to another human being pilgrim or otherwise.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

I was approached by a begger in Melide today right after I arrived. He was dressed like a pilgrim
With pack etc but clearly wanted a handout. He tried to get real close to me but I raised my voice and told him to move on. He didn't even come close to pilching the chocolate bar in my pack.

 

[Oxford Alice]

Giving to beggars, or not, is a personal choice. Beware the clipboard, though. Whilst signing you run the risk of having your pocket or 'fanny pack' picked.

 

[StuartM]

The deaf beggar scam was also going on in Oviedo. I got approached inside the cathedral.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

THIS IS A SCAM - NO SUCH ASSOCIATION

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Giving to beggars, or not, is a personal choice. Beware the clipboard, though. Whilst signing you run the risk of having your pocket or 'fanny pack' picked.

hola Alice, yes I think this begger had more things in mind then getting a 1 Euro donation from me. He kept trying to get behind me and close to my pack.