Begging.

Kolathur, the area I recently moved to, isn't exactly upmarket but it's certainly not one of Chennai's worst. So I don't come across beggars that regularly but they are still a part of everyday life. Of course, there is some unwritten rule that it is your responsibility as a tourist not to give them any money because it'll just mean they keep begging. At first, even with a heart of darkness, it is quite difficult to walk past a blind child with no legs and not give them anything. However, after a little time it's amazing how quickly that "oh look, a poor blind child with no legs" becomes "oh fuck, another blind child with no legs". Although I have to make clear that that is just instinctive and I am still sympathetic to their cause, to make sure that i'm not arrested for crimes against humanity.

My training for how to deal with beggars came from my friend and fellow tourist Mark Allen (from Mottingham!) who had somehow picked up on his travels the phrase 'Cello'. I think this works in much the same way as 'shoo' or 'gedoutofhere you muggy little si' and it certainly does send them away immediately. Unfortunately, I've had to cut down on it on the advice of others who are pretty sure it's something grossly offensive. Mark also told me my favourite beggar-related story so far about a woman who had successfully wangled some money out of him by chasing him down the street shouting 'I love Prince Charles, I love Camilla Parker-Bowles' repeatedly.

For the record, I would have given her some rupees for that too.