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[Saya]

Saw lots of stories on social media about this recently.

The rise of the shameless ‘beg-packer’

THEY’VE been dubbed “beg-packers” — shameless Western backpackers begging for travel money in the streets of South-East Asia.

And they’re sparking outrage everywhere.

Pictures have emerged online of young, penniless travellers sitting on the sides of roads in places such as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore, with signs asking locals to help finance their travels.

Some have been seen selling small items, such as postcards, for fast cash, while others have busked using electric instruments and impressive amplifiers.

In one photo, shared on Twitter, a couple can be seen using an expensive DSLR camera to prop up a sign reading: “Support our trip”.

It’s a bizarre trend among some backpackers, considering in some poorer locations globetrotting trips may be considered a luxury.

And locals have reacted angrily to the rise of the beg-packer. In Singapore, for instance, visitors are only allowed to busk if they have a work visa.

Singapore woman Maisarah Abu Samah captured images of some of the begging backpackers and shared them on Twitter.

Alongside one photo, of a young man and woman selling their holiday snaps as postcards, she wrote: “WHAT THE HECK???”.

Thailand is cracking down on shameless Western ‘beg-packers’

 

[radios shipping overview]

Just white folks living off white privilege.

 

[G.ZZZ]

White people ruins everything.

 

[SFenton]

Come on, if you're going to travel the world, have enough money to do it, and if you're going to beg, actually *need* it.

Some people who beg, you know, actually need money to live.

 

[Yaphett Kotto]

Just white folks living off white privilege.

.

 

[McDougles]

Seriously, what colleges are the secret "white people exploitation 400" courses taking place? It obviously started from somewhere to suddenly become a problem in Asian countries.

 

[hitme]

"I'm white and I'm your superior. Please give me money to live this life you can't have".

 

[excelsiorlef]

White Privilege on Tour

 

[cameron]

Just white folks living off white privilege.

White people ruins everything.

Harsh, but yes.

 

[GodofWine]

This seems like a fine idea. /s

 

[hobozero]

Just white folks living off white privilege.

Yeah, you almost didn't have to look at the pictures to know they were white, huh

Be funny the first time one of them gets a free nights accomodation in a Thai jail cell. Instagram that shit.

 

[Salvadora]

I've seen it in Kuala Lumpur and it's absolutely disgusting.

 

[crooked spin]

Wow, didn't realize this was a thing.

I think busking is OK though.

 

[HStallion]

Surprised they haven't been attacked or jailed yet.

 

[opoth]

Any chance I can pull this off in Scotland age 40?

 

[SuperBanana]

As a world traveling backpacker there are some SERIOUSLY obnoxious dickheads I come across. This takes it to a new level though. The flight alone would cost more than most peoples yearly wages there.

 

[Lucky Seven]

White kids wanting the real Ash Ketchum experience

 

[GodofWine]

These people beg to travel wonderful foreign lands...everyone begs to just fucking, like eat and survive.

 

[poppedcollar69]

Ugh

 

[toxicgonzo]

"I am traveling around Asia without money"

What an idiot.

 

[ReAxion]

jail them. hard labor.

 

[Costanza-san]

This is one of the whitest things I think I've ever seen.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Pretty fucked up tbh.

 

[Conciliator]

fuck the resorts, man. i only travel on money begged from the locals so i can have a totally auth cultural experience.

 

[Lulubop]

I know some white travel bros, they were "broke" in that they lived cheap and didn't carry a ton of cash but they came from privilege so if shit came down to it they'd be fine. They never did slimy shit like this tho.

 

[Greddleok]

This is satire, surely?

 

[Dynomutt]

Smh this is both hilarious and sad.

 

[BigAT]

Don't give them money? Problem solved.

 

[Drkirby]

I don't feel this is exactly new, I recall seeing similar imagery of western travelers in fiction that is decades old. My guess is ether shifted to new regions, or being more publicized, but I don't think its new.

 

[PixelatedBookake]

But why? Why even bother doing this pointless shit?

 

[Zen_Arcade]

Sounds like a bunch of irresponsible selfish dick heads who want natives to fund their vacations.

 

[Deeda]

Wow, didn't realize this was a thing.

I think busking is OK though.

Yeah, busking is fine.

Begging for money for more traveling is just stupid though, like seriously use your credit card and go home

 

[benicillin]

If you have money and you're still begging for other peoples money to fund your traveling that's pretty lame. If you're busking to make ends meet while you're traveling though I'm not gonna knock it.

 

[Envelope]

Jesus Christ fuck those people

 

[wandering]

I knew a Japanese dude who was basically the opposite. Came from a working class family and made his way across Asia, Europe, and North America by finding manual labor gigs at warehouses and docks. Stayed at my place on his way to Alaska to work on a fishing boat. Makes these folks look shameful.

 

[LordOfChaos]

So they go from wealthier nations to poorer ones and beg their way accross a trip? That's it?

They all look to be sort of hippy type, do they not realize how regressive that idea is? Well, of course they don't.

I knew a Japanese dude who was basically the opposite. Came from a working class family and made his way across Asia, Europe, and North America by working manual labor at warehouses and docks. Stayed at my place on his way to Alaska to work on a fishing boat. Makes these folks look shameful.

Working for a wage is definitely worlds apart from this. Especially where he didn't need to.

 

[Zojirushi]

It's like go fund me without the internets no?

 

[830920]

Disgusting behavior. I feel ashamed just looking at those pictures.

 

[Harmen]

I know so many young students that are ammassing big debts because they like to travel. Who doesn't? But don't complain when you do run out of money and just don't go on a trip if you can't afford it. I won't feel sympathy if they strand without money.

 

[milkham]

I think busking is ok but fuck the rest of em

 

[Kayhan]

Does this only work for White kids?

 

[Azzurri]

Yes, let me finance your trip because you can't afford it yourself. I have a grand idea get a job, save up then travel.

 

[GitarooMan]

This makes me surprisingly angry. It's so ridiculous and entitled.

 

[Morat]

Busking and roaming has been around forever and in my opinion is fine. Travelling on the basis of begging not so much.

 

[Puck Beaverton]

Pretty sure this has always been a thing. I don't see the problem.

 

[SuperBanana]

Yeah, busking is fine.

Begging for money for more traveling is just stupid though, like seriously use your credit card and go home

I see this a lot in hostels. People going on about having $3 left in their bank accounts. Don't travel if you can't bloody afford it.

 

[Sesuadra]

I...no. that's disgusting.

 

[norm9]

gofundme in real life

 

[Lulubop]

Don't give them money? Problem solved.

Ok?

They should be absolutely be shamed for it.

 

[Lord Error]

People propping a begging sign with a DSLR camera is just... jesus.