Good to Great: 5 reasons why some beggars earn more money than you
July 26, 2006 | Filed Under money, short term profits, Entrepreneurship, Practical tips, Business Opportunities, Money making as young
Get something for doing nothing. After walking around in big cities in Europe I have discovered the 5 habits of successful beggars.
1. Keep your voice down
Ask for some change, but do not be loud! Be soft spoken, almost silent. By keeping your voice down you force the unlucky by-passer to stop to hear what you have to say. Once they stop, your chance for success increases!
2. Be “honest”
They know you are not going to use their change to buy a bus-ticket. Try to give them a likable reason to give you money.
This works: ”Yo, I’ve been doing drugs for 2 days and really need to eat something, can you spare some change so I can buy me some bread?”
This fails: “Yo, can you spare some change, I need to take the bus”
In the first example you are undressing your soul in front of them, who can resist giving you money? In the latter example you are just lying and they walk away.
3. Be clean and nicely dressed
All great salesmen try to imitate the prospective buyer. By dressing similar to the ones you beg from you are bridging the gap between you and them. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but it is easier to give to your own type! If they meet someone very different from themselves it is easier to just walk away.
4. Remember a sucker
If someone gives you money you better remember their face. Then you need to acknowledge them every day you see them by greeting them with “Good Morning Sir!”, “Lovely day, eh?” This will remind them about the day they gave you money, and they know you hope that they will give you more. It is painful to walk away from you after you have been nice to them by remembering their face. Two things happen, either they walk another way to work, or they will give you money to ease the tension they feel inside!
5. Learn to love rejection
95% will not give you money. Love it! You get the opportunity to show how good and clever you are. Shout after them “Have a nice day!”, “Thank you, bye”, “No problem, thank you very much Miss”, “Enjoy the rest of your day Sir!”
The result is that they will think: “Oh.. he was pretty nice.. maybe next time..”
Got more tricks used by beggars? Please feel free to share them.
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16 Responses to “Good to Great: 5 reasons why some beggars earn more money than you”
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I believe that it is fair to say that what it takes to be a successful beggar are the same traits & skill sets that it takes to be a successful salesmen. At the heart of it, both vocations are about getting people to part with their money.
The key is to look like your very live depends on someone giving you their pocket change for something. Look needy, sorry for yourself, down and out, broke and if possible repentant that you have to beg for it.
One thing I saw in Europe was people getting their kids to ride the trains playing a tiny electronic keyboard. They’d come up to you while the keyboard was playing its pre-programmed song, stick out their hand and quietly mumble something, obviously asking for money.
A least the accordian players were actually playing their instrument. It’s sad that people are tasking their kids to ask for money, obviously taking advantage of their vulnerability.
-Grant
TheCornerOfficeBlog.com
Grant, I experienced the exact same thing on the metro/tube in Lisbon, Portugal. It is very sad from the kids perspective. They do not get to go to school and are “forced” to beg to support their parents.
[…] Money Matador: […]
I would add, “Become a Great Storyteller.”
As you’ve already pointed out, candor can be effective. But most people are suckers for a good story, even if it’s not really true. (Especially if it’s not reallly true!)
Good storytelling, after all, is a kind of performance. If we’re going to reward street performers, why not reward storytellers?
take your healthy dog with you (dont forget a dish of water) people will be more concerned about the welfare of the dog than you and will give generously. God help you if your dog is not looked after,you will be hung from the nearest lamp post. and rightly so!
two items from my own experience with beggars:
1. along with being well dressed, be articulate. The same fellow had on slacks and a polo shirt and was VERY good with the storytelling and the grammar was far above the usual bum’s level.
2. I have a policy that says that if a bum is up on the “skywalk” in my city (Cincinnati, OH), then he has shown some initiative and thus will get some of my money. Go where the competition isn’t.
I would strongly agree with #5. As a person who usually passes at least 4 or 5 people every day asking for money, I am most likely to give to someone who is positive and wishes people a nice day, etc. That’s just me.
You could be several months pregnant, wear a shirt that partially exposes your belly, and sit in a posture that emphasizes your stomach. It worked for a young woman I saw recently in Chicago.
Your Money Monday…
My favorite was this thoughtful item at Tore O’s Money Matador. Ever wondered if beggars *can* be choosers?…
[…] This week’s Carnival of the Capitalists is hosted by Forty Media. My favorite entry? 5 Reasons Why Some Beggars Earn More Money than You. […]
[…] Lots of good links at the Carnival of the Capitalists as usual. I am honoured to have my post about beggars mentioned among so many quality posts. Besides the quality links in the carnival, the host of this week’s carnival contributes with an interesting post about urging advertisers to be a creative by listing the 5 forbidden words of advertising. […]
I have come upon very tight circumstances due to disability and unfortunate helping of others. I now myself have begun to pan handle. I find it a rich experience. Most of the people I interact with are wonderful. They give what they can. I use the money for food. I am looking for work and getting over my dire circumstances as best I can. This is only a transitional move for me. I am humbled and often teary eyed by a parent sending they child to get out of the car and give me a dollar bill. I have had one young girl get out of the parents car and share her care bear gummies with me. I am often touch my people’s kindness and reminded about - random acts of kindness. People are truly sympathetic on the whole and I am learing a lot about myself and others through this unfortunate time in my life. I write in a journal and hope to share these experiences with others. God Bless. Thank you people for helping me.
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Well done Money Matador… for a further look at how the principles of persuasion are at work in your examples, please go here