Encounters with the Jeddah Poor ~!

Begging in this city~!

Stop at traffic lights in this city where I live and you will have your car windows (left and right, literally) tapped by women, men and sometimes children begging. The women will be in black Arbaya and always have their face covered except for their eyes. Hence, not easy to tell their origin. Often, they will carry a baby in a pouch on their back. Men who beg are either very old or have some kind of physical deformities.

I have seen Children beggars opening car doors to grab mobile phones and other valuables, while their accomplices distract the driver with taps on the driver's side window. Always have your car doors and boots locked!

On Fridays, you will see mainly women and children sitting at Mosques entrances, benefiting from the generosity of men congregations. 

Merchandising at Traffic Lights~!

At certain traffic lights in this city and also those closer to the holy city of Mecca, you can see individuals and teams walking up to vehicles to sell their merchandise. The variety can be quite impressive. I have seen these entrepreneurs selling mineral water, flowers, sugar floss, kitchen utensils, decorative items, handicrafts, various kind of toys, perfumes, beads, and many others. In all cases they are foreigners who are mostly overstaying illegitimately in the country.


Supermarket counter - a helper cum trolley Pusher~!

Another feature of this city can be seen at supermarket counters. Each check out counter comes with a cashier and a packer cum helper cum trolley pusher. The packer will help pack the items you purchase, but he always expect to be able to provide a little more help. Packing is his job, and the extra service of pushing your trolley to your car is discretionary. If you want to push the trolley yourself, you need to really make a firm stand, and be prepared to wrestle the trolley away from the packer cum helper. Otherwise, it is understood that you want his services to push the trolley and help to load your car boot. Not to tip him is frowned upon - not only by the poor guy who has helped, but your spouse and also anyone else who happens to see you being ungrateful to the guy for his help. Tipping is expected! The tip can be any amount between SAR1 to SAR10. Hopefully done sincerely~!

In this city where so many foreigners come to seek 'wealth' to support their families back in their own countries, nobody says no to 'tips' or virtuous deeds of 'sadaqah'.

If you are in the group who can afford, no matter where you are or what your religious standing is, giving to people in need is a good deed, indeed~! Give generously, and give sincerely~!