We debated if this person was really a beggar in need last time we were in Rome. I point to the backpack that is on tightly over both shoulders and the clothing that looks as if he/she is deliberately hiding. The outfit is put together too well…. a costume in my opinion. I don’t want to offend anyone that is less fortunate but in this case I think it’s a hoax. What do you think?
I know that woman. She is a Roma (some people use the word gypsy). She is absolutely a beggar. Labor rolls are very strictly divided in Roma culture and, as an older woman, she is begging for money. She walks up and down Via dei Fori Imperiali every day 9-5 begging for change.
I have seen this woman and many a more in Rome and I think they are fake. Have you seen the kids with one leg who go begging whilst sitting/rolling on their skate boards? Well I saw this boy one day walking….and then near Lago Argentina he took off his nice Nike shoes, put them in a box…then hid them before changing clothes and getting on his skate board to go off begging.
When we were in Rome it was hard to differentiate between the true needy people and those who use begging as a second job. The one above looks a bit suspicious.
I saw this person in 2005 in the Via dei Fori Imperiali. I wasn’t even sure it was a woman since “she” didn’t ever raise her head. In fact, I thought it could have been a younger woman or even a man.
It can be very hard to tell between the Rom, traveling beggars, and truly needy. I once watched a woman in Florence stroll into the piazza early in the morning, have a cappuccino, talk on her cell, then muss up her hair, pull out scarves and other costume elements, throw a bit of dirt on herself and start begging!
Her posture and clothing (ie covered up as if hiding) are very similar to a lady who lives on the street year round here in Biddeford Maine.
I am 90% sure she is NOT a person in real need and that she is a member of a gang of fake beggars. Are they Roman? I don’t think so. They are probably from eastern Europe, Rom or anything similar.
In Naples, these types are everywhere. The worst part is they drag kids out with them in the freezing cold, and the parents are the ones bundled up. “Shame-oh!” Is the only contribution I’m willing to give when I see something like that.