Beggars in Budapest

Are there really more beggards on the streets of Budapest before Christmas?

Beggars in Budapest

Beggars are becoming an increasing problem in Budapest. I am not referring here to homeless people (who are yet another problem), those peaceful guys trying to sell their own newspaper, "Fedél nélkül," at busy intersections throught the city. Beggars are the people who are standing, sitting, or lying at every corner, asking for money, often holding a small child. They usually have a sign about them, stating their social problem or disease, or simply that they are hungry. And, which leads us to our topic, they barely say a word, they simply reach out with their hands. There used to be stories about beggars found dead with a lot of cash on them. To me, it never made much sense until I heard about the "beggars' mafia". It is really a simple organization, which derives its profit from people's good intentions. The man who told the story said they "imported" the beggars from Romania or the Balkans just before Christmas, when people were more willing to give some money away. They put them on the streets - since they do not speak Hungarian, saying a single word would ruin the desired effect -, and give them a percentage of the income. Whether the story is true or not, I cannot say. Perhaps it is just a manifestation of middle class fears towards those less fortunate. N. Life in Budapest Traditional gypsy music in Budapest Learning languages in Hungary Popular cinema in Hungary Hungarians learning Spanish Hungarian wages Hungarian salaries Hungarian attitudes towards Gypsies Austria from Hungary Gypsy stereotypes in Hungary Getting a job in Hungary Foreign language bookstores in Budapest Creative competition in Budapest during the war Bird flu strain in Hungary Foreign languages in Hungary Winter sports in Budapest Traditional Gypsy music in Budapest Gypsies in Hungarian media