Travel is truly one of the best things that a person can do – it broadens the mind, fosters empathy with people of all races and cultures and creates memories that last a lifetime. However, travel is a luxury and a privilege that only a fraction of the world’s population can afford.
So when Western people, with all the privileges we hold, are found ‘begpacking’ on the streets of developing countries, it can leave a sour taste. Tourism is a vital source of income in many countries; we should travel in such a way that maximizes the benefits for local people and businesses. Sponging off the kindness of strangers to further our own selfish travel goals is just not on! If you can’t afford to travel, stay at home until you earn enough money to do it ethically.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
Authorities in some countries have had enough, and have started sending these ‘begpackers’ to their embassies to get themselves sorted out. While we don’t know the context behind these pictures – some of these people might genuinely have been a victim to some misfortune – others are clearly just looking for a free ride around the world.
What do you think about this phenomenon? Have you traveled on a tight budget before? Have you ever found yourself needing help in a foreign country? Do you see a problem with this kind of ‘begpacking?’ Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
I happen to pass by this area in Bukit Bintang and I saw this irresponsible act that can literally cause injury to that poor baby. Why is the authority allowing such act to be showcase to public. These street performers need to be arrested! Please do something
Image credits: zac.abdulcheah
begpacker
Image credits: Hong Kong Free Press
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
In Vietnam
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: CHIMCHAMS95
begpacker
Image credits: koryodynasty
begpacker
Image credits: ImSoloTraveller
begpacker
Image credits: koryodynasty
begpacker
Image credits: koryodynasty
begpacker
Image credits: koryodynasty
begpacker
Image credits: LambtonQuay
Yesterday I saw these blindfolded travellers asking for money in one of the most transited areas of the shopping district of Kuala Lumpur, and I have strong feelings about it.
Travelling is a choice, and not only a choice but a luxurious one. When you choose to travel, to leave your confort zone and explore the world you might feel yourself as an adventurer, and you might be one, you are one among your group of privileged people.
If you can actively decide to leave everything behind, take a backpack and wonder the world, it is because you have a social structure that allows you to do it. You do it because most likely your family does not need your work force to be sustained, you do it because even after months or years of travel, you can go back to a safe place were your “struggles” as a backpacker will only be a nice memory of the times when you decided to get out of your confort zone and “live”. I have no troubles with the people that decide to travel and perform an art, entertain people, and from that keep travelling, or finding a part time job in different places to keep going, as long as it is legal. When I was living in Oxford I had a licence to perform in the streets and I was registered as a legal busker as a side activity. I have also performed in bars and hostels in exchange of a beer or an extra free night. I have done hardcore backpacking myself, and if it wasn’t for the dozens of people that have let me stayed with them or that have helped me in other ways, I wouldn’t have been able to live as many experiences. But I have never pretended that people should give me free money to keep travelling, to keep doing what the majority of the people in this planet will never be able to do, not because they don’t want to but because they can’t. I have always had enough to sustain myself, I plan and save for years for my travels.
Continue reading on the next post. —> #begpacker #backpacker #travelling #qleveryday #BukitBintang #KualaLumpur #Malaysia #Asia
Image credits: elquiqueleon
Just heard about this and I don’t get it. Westerners are traveling around Asia on a shoe string budget and begging for money to fund their trip
Image credits: creatingambassadors
I read an article about #begpackers and came across these white dudes along the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong. They literally would create such a gimmick of putting blind folds and offer “Free Hugs” with a donation box asking for help to fund their travels. We can clearly see how privileged these guys are because a lot of Asian girls got so giddy about them to the point that one of them wept with joy while being bear-hugged by one of them. Welp, I guess this is becoming a trend now… #TravelBeggar #traveller #whitesupremacy #travelabroad #travelphotography #travelexperience #WhenInHongKong #HongKongTravels #AsianTravels
Image credits: jilli_bee
What ever happened to “Free Hugs”? #japan #gaijin #travel #streetphotography #begpackers
What ever happened to “Free Hugs”? #japan #gaijin #travel #streetphotography #begpackers
Image credits: keonooch
His signs reads: “You can hug me for free and if you want you can support my trip and leave some donation Let’s hug” These begpackers are #SHAMELESS! What makes this guy think anyone wants to hug him? and to pay him for it? Pssh nah bro, get a job like the rest of us. #begpackers #HongKong #Russians #pathetic #arrogant #shameless #getajob #TST #hugs #gocleanahouse #work #save #plan #dobetter #travel #Kowloon #donaterorealcauses #Asia
Image credits: kineticcrisscriss
This is Angelina and Grisha, travellers from Russia. I met them from Palika Bazar street, New Delhi. The summer evening was as usual, dusty and polluted. But they were sitting there, in front of a closed shop, with beautiful smile and endless music. The hot summer evening seemed like a cool winter breeze for them!
Theirs is not a usual travel story. Unlike everybody, they travel without money! As the small poster in front of them say; They travel without money but with smile and music. They don’t have huge bags to carry, No valuable gadgets to take care of, No flights to catch and no itinerary to complete.
Wherever they reach, they find a good place to sit and start singing. Anybody who likes the song can contribute as they wish and that will be the fuel for their next journey. And also it helps them to explore the place. So far, they covered 5 countries.
I asked Angelina how many more are left in the list. “Whole world”- She smiled.
#travelstories #street #nomad #travellers #begpackers #worldtraveller #couple #travellingcouple #russia #travelwithnomoney #music #smile #travellingwithmusic #delhi #india #traveleditor @travelstoriesworld @travelchannel @begpackersworld @humansofdelhi @natgeotravel @stories.of.india @storiesoftravelings #naseelvoici
Image credits: naseel.voici
In a very working class neighbourhood that has been especially hard hit by the typhoon how you have the nerve to beg for money to fund your travels around Asia is completely beyond me. Your new clothes and new shoes, begging for money in a wet market as people around you try to rebuild their shops and lives.
I’ve always hated #begpackers but this if fucking infuriating
#typhoonmangkhut
Image credits: peteryuill
Begpacker Near Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
Image credits: RevolioClockbergSr
Begpackers Spotted In Hoi An
Image credits: pallantejm
begpacker
begpacker
Image credits: RichardBarrow
begpacker
Image credits: koryodynasty
begpacker
Image credits: QbIx08
Source: boredpanda.com