Comments on: Spare a Penny for your Thoughts?

By: Dominique Heuermann

Dominique Heuermann — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:41:39 +0000

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.

By: Man of Roma

Man of Roma — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:19:09 +0000

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.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:29:46 +0000

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.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:24:36 +0000

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!

By: Homebody at Heart

Homebody at Heart — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:38:41 +0000

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.

By: Sandi

Sandi — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:16:09 +0000

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.

By: Leanne

Leanne — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:52:28 +0000

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.

By: Katie Parla

Katie Parla — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:19:10 +0000

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.