Hi dash

Oh the vent?
What you have said in your last post reinforces every point I have tried to make.
You see it your way, I see it mine.
You said the kids were trying to sell you something. Begging is having your hand out with no more exchange expected other than one party hands money over to another.
Even if they are begging as you describe it, do they deserve your anger, disdain and judgement? Wow...do they really p you off that much?

Empathy without action to resolve is hollow - not in my understanding of the concept of empathy!

I would rather continue doing as I am, helping people in individual ways where I can. That's my way. If I lived there full time I would certainly give my time freely to help in the way Rob is. I do that in small ways already, but not about to start blowing my own trumpet to prove a point. There are lots of people I know that also help communities in and around Negril, none who are members of this forum. Don't make the assumption that others aren't trying to help in different ways with different people.

Youngsters are perceptive, If you respond to them with the same negative attitude as on here, maybe that's why you get their rude 'response'. just a thought!!

As Marko says maybe some people just deal with or react to the situation better than others.

I can honestly say I have never been disrespected by any children involved in this activity, but accept that others may have had a different experience, but a few bad apples don't make a rotten tree.

I can walk through my own city centre at any point and there are young people busking to top up their income while studying, people selling a national magazine for the homeless for commission to get them off drugs and back into work, statues that are really people who jump at you and then shake a collection tin, and people selling things I don't want. All who ask me to contribute almost daily. Do I get angry, do I label them as beggars and nuisances, No! People do what they have to do to get by.

Obviously this is my own viewpoints, don't expect anyone to agree, but hopefully this debate has served a purpose and highlighted the issue for anyone who wants to do something, or not, which is fine also.
You can still respect the fact that the kids are kids, and not be so critical