‘Playful’ beggars flood China tourist city for alcohol, cigarettes as new form of expression
Chinese youths are turning "playful begging" into a social trend, using it as a way to socialise, smoke, drink, chat, and take photos, with soliciting money being a secondary concern. This new phenomenon sees young people gathering in tourist hotspots like Dali, Yunnan province, displaying "begging" signs while engaging in leisure activities, sparking online discussions about their motives.
According to a participant, these "professional and playful beggars" form groups where the primary goal isn't financial gain. While some may share QR codes for small donations, they mainly enjoy the social interaction and often receive offers of cigarettes, beer, drinks, and snacks from passers-by. This trend highlights a shift in how young people are using the concept of begging, focusing more on creating a shared experience and social connection rather than traditional financial need.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Chinese youths are turning "playful begging" into a social trend, using it as a way to socialise, smoke, drink, chat, and take photos, with soliciting money being a secondary concern. This new phenomenon sees young people gathering in tourist hotspots like Dali, Yunnan province, displaying "begging" signs while engaging in leisure activities, sparking online discussions about their motives.
According to a participant, these "professional and playful beggars" form groups where the primary goal isn't financial gain. While some may share QR codes for small donations, they mainly enjoy the social interaction and often receive offers of cigarettes, beer, drinks, and snacks from passers-by. This trend highlights a shift in how young people are using the concept of begging, focusing more on creating a shared experience and social connection rather than traditional financial need.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
