[ZenGum]

I have met quite a few beggars in Australia, in city centers in the evening usually. If I am walking through such a place I often have a few coins - $1 or $2 - in my pocket so if I do choose to give, I don't have to dig out my wallet.

I was approached by beggars several time in Japan. The weird thing was the gesture for "money" is to make a circle (representing a coin) with the thumb and forefinger, much like our "ok" gesture, but done in front of the stomach with the palm upwards. The "gimme money" gesture is to move this backwards and forwards gently.

I was quite taken aback, at first.

I always gave to ones who could ask me in English. They might be useful later on.

And on recycling nights I would sometimes leave several coins stacked neatly (to show it was on purpose) in a place where the homeless recycling scavengers would see it. It was always gone the next day.