Tizzy,
Lola's point is that simply giving money to anyone perpetuates the practice of begging. Tizzy, I am sure you work for your money and dont expect handouts. You seem to me to be a responsible parent and can understand that if your children grew up expecting people to simply give them money what problems this would cause.
Gerry can choose or not choose to give people money, that is his choice. But to hand out money to people who ask for it, like it or not, does continue the idea that they dont need to work, but simply ask for money.
And if I am not mistaken, isnt that one of the most complained about aspects of travelers heading to developing countries? If people stop giving money to beggers, there will be less begging because they would no longer expect to be able live that way.
Really, this is not a very hard concept here....