Roma said..

Non Goa visitor visitors could read a few postings (my own included!) and think, "Jeez, I'm not going there, it sounds like a nightmare".

Sssshhhh there's a method in our madness!!!

Like a lot of others who visit Goa regularly, we have experienced the sob stories to relieve us of our hard earned cash. We befriended our room boy who for 2 years never asked for anything then suddenly asked us for money for his elderly mother to pay for a cataract operation. As I have worked with the elderly and recognise the signs I could see for myself that she did not have them so I said I was unable to help. We then had a request for money to buy a new motorbike and we again responded with a firm "no" telling him his current bike looked perfectly fine to us and that we could remain a good friend to him and his family or become a bad friend - it was his choice. We remained friends with him and his relatives but became cautious. Later that year he and his mother were killed in an accident on his bike (hit by a truck) at the junction near the Falcon Hotel; I was so upset when I heard the news. However it turned out he had a serious drink problem. I just feel glad knowing that my money didn't pay for the alcohol he'd no doubt consumed on that fateful day. I feel very sad for his relatives but we no longer visit them in case they try to rip us off. However, I do try to visit the cemetary to take flowers and pay my respects. Such a sad waste of life.

Back to the ear cleaners - they also have a small pot of what could be coloured petroleum jelly which they keep on their person then dip that dirty stick in it when a likely looking mug comes along.
Bag snatchers on motorbikes - 3 in one night near the Church in the middle of the road near to the Osbourne. Our friends reported theirs to the police the following morning to be told they should have come at the time it happened then they - the police - could have hot footed it down the road and caught them - as if!!! They were also told they were not getting the typewriter out to file the report for less than 500rps.

My intention was to highlight to others and in particular first timers to Goa, that there are people out there who will exploit naivety and generosity given the opportunity, as is the case in other most country's.

It seems like my initial friendly warning has brought together a whole range of discussions, which I have watched and enjoyed from a distance.

I would like to point out that still consider the majority of Goan's to be, honest hard working and friendly and hope to return again in February 2008.

It was never my intention to cause alarm to newcomers and I hope that this thread has acted as a catalyst, bringing together a range of help and advice for newbie's to the forum. I for one have learnt many new things from this thread.

GM 06

My particular experience ended sadly but I am happy to say that many other Goan friends we have made over the years are at the opposite end of the spectrum. We continue to help out (in a small way) those of our friends who because of circumstances/caste are poor in relation to our other friends who are doing quite nicely. They never ask for anything and what we do for them is totally voluntary. It gives us joy to see a child wearing some new clothes that we have given or to see that some small amount given has paid towards a tin roof to protect their poorly built house from the monsoon rains. I am also extremely lucky and very proud to be Godmother to 2 little girls in Goa (one legally and blessed by the church) the other in name only (as it gave the family credibility within their community). As has been said, the majority of Goans are hardworking and would not dream of asking for anything, they are generous of themselves and proud. We are just more cautious now and maintain friendships with a small group of people who we have come to trust.

GM
it has indeed been an eyeopener of a thread for a lot of folks

The Goans and the immigrants from other states who work in the tourist industry think we are soooooo rich because they get by on next to nothing and see us spend huge sums (to them) on eating and drinking out . They ask for money I think not to be a nuisance but because they believe we have so much money we can help them.
Of course we all take gifts to our friends in Goa and spoil the children of the beach sellers, that is our choice. Anyone, no matter how long I have known them gets a short no if they ask for money.
One year our shack owner gave a sob story about owing for the licence, he had recently sold his mothers property (following her death) and had given nothing to his sister, he had a flat and his wife worked in her uncles restaurant, so they were well off by Goan standards, someone in the shack started a collection for him and got quite shirty with me when I refused to 'donate' saying I'd prefer to give to a registered charity!! Still use the shack though.