Hi Guys,

I started this thread not as a real complaint but more because of true concern. I came from the doctor today and got of tram 11 at the Johaniterbrucke stop (in Basel). I was approached by a decently dressed guy with the famous Entchuldigung! and then he proceeded to ask for money. I played dumb and walked across the road. This is the 5th or 7th time that I was approached by 'beggars' that are most of the times well dressed, the weird thing is that it is always at the Johaniterbrucke stop.
Does this happen in other places in CH? I was apporached is NL a couple of times in Rotterdam, by junkies but I lived there for 6 years, I have been living here for 4 months!!!Oh well, maybe I moved to the wrong area of Basel...but otherwise I honestly love it...

Cheers!

I always give them money so they can buy some whiskey or food or heroin...it's getting mighty cold out there.

Good point

I find it bit weird too, i wouldn't mind a beggar looking like a beggar, but once in front of the main UBS in Geneva, i were approached by a guy wearing a a decent suite and an Omega watch who i thought in the beginning some sort of a banker, till he asked me for money which i automatically gave (10 CHF) out of my shock factor

no....seriously.

Im Peruvian so not so easily impressed LOL just kidding he would have puzzled me too...omega watch LOL

You are in an area where you'll get that. Across from the hospital (the Frauenspital stop on the 36), is a state shooting gallery. I've found that around them, there tend to be a lot of beggars.

I've encountered a lot of them at the tram area at SBB. But they're often looking for cigarettes as much as cash. I just start speaking English to them, although that's caught me out a few times when they've responded in excellent English back. Makes me want to shake them and ask why they're begging when they're so fluent in a second language!

one woman once approached me in a desperate state - at zurich main train station. apparently she had lost her wallet, and was 2 chf short of a train fair. of course i gave this to her.

funnily enough about 2 weeks later, the same woman was fluffing around in a desperate state, and was just about to approach me again.. til she thought better of it.

but the "sitting down with a cup" beggers you sometimes see around Baden or Wettingen (a rarity i know) are also often dressed better than me

another sign that i'm in the wrong job.

Me too not easily impressed in usual cases, but i have this ultimate attraction to Omega's & Breitling's

Thanks for the info I like the area because it is quiet and close to everywhere and I can walk to work ... did not see this coming though...Oh well as long as the asking for money doesnt escalate...Im OK

there's a bit of info here too....

Thanks Hsiang, I guess I did not use the correct words on my search !!!!
As you guys have mentioned these are well dressed people !!! Really weird, when I was in Italy in August a friend of mine mentioned that begging is illegal in Italy...weird huh?

Usually they're not a danger, as they're on a prescription for herion, so they're not stealing to get it. I guess they just want extra money for.....well, other stuffs .

If that was fairly recently, I mean, after the downturn of global economy, maybe that really was a banker.

Prescription for Heroin? DId I read correctly?

You did. It is an excellent program for the most hard core of addicts.

Some more info from the BBC, with video.

I am truly impressed, good for the Swiss..seriously.

I am too, it is one of the best policies they've got IMO.

Out of curiousity, I hold conversation before I hand out cash. I find a disproportionate number of the panhandlers are from Germany. One guy told me the German government... some social workers... give them money to come out here to Switzerland....

I don't know if this guy was insane or what, but that would be outrageous if it is true. Those dastardly deutsche!

10 CHF?!! You're destroying the market for the rest of us! How am I going to get away with tossing 50 rp into the cup next time I'm approached?