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It rained today, the temperamental monsoon type rain where it's not really possible to stay dry in. I took shelter near at a lassi shop and then bought a mango lassi, complete with salmonella ice. The guy then let me sit inside his shop while I drank it. I know many people who would vomit before they would even consider sitting on that stool.

 

He weighs his portions on a scale, I think it's a quality control thing. This guy is going places.

 

After drinking my lassi I really pondered whether I would get Delhi Belhi again, because I was ticking all the right boxes

[ x ] dirty shop

[ x ] ice in drink

[ x ] town water supply

[ x ] not cooked

[ x ] possibly contains unpasteurised milk

Whatever. I refuse to submit to salmonella. I will conquer you one day!!!

 

I walked down further to the gritty street shops for more food. You don't really see the tourists eating here because they're usually at the TripAdvisor-approved restaurants, nothing wrong with that. I found a place selling "Singapuri" noodles and fried rice plates for 20rupees (40c) for a half plate. I purchased and consumed. While I was there a man approached me and showed me his deformed foot and open wound on his forearm. I really don't know what to think of these situations. With all respect to the man's suffering, I could see he was using this as a confrontational tool to instil guilt and induce a donation. There are many ethical dilemmas I think about when I see these things

1. Is it right or wrong that he uses this tactic? I mean is it truly, on the grander scheme of things, right or wrong for a man who suffers to do what it takes to make money? Consider that my impressions were that the wounds, although open and gaping, didn't appear (IMO) to be infected at all. They did appear to have previously been well dressed, dry, and on the mend. There didn't appear to be a need for immediate medical attention or costs.
2. Is it right or wrong to totally ignore this man and refuse giving him anything? What will he really do with the money?
3. At which point do we decide compassion is required and just? And why does compassion even need to be considered and deliberated on?

There are many times I have seen others, individuals, groups, organisations, participate in what I think is 'misplaced empathy' where they believe that the assistance they are giving is contributing to the greater good in some way but in fact the consequences for their actions linger long after they have gone. This is how I see direct donations to individuals in need, it's like the old saying about teaching a man to fish or giving him a fish. If we ever feel the need to give to the needy I think such donations and resources are much better placed into the hands of well established organisations whose mission it is to build upon the infrastructure of society.

 

Unfortunately, your dollars may never reach those faces you see on the street and have the same immediate and direct impact as a hand-to-hand donation would. But long term the benefits will be much more rewarding. In some ways, tourist dollars spent buying goods from lowest level street sellers can put something back. And that's something you'll notice about Delhi/India, every young guy out here is making a living buying and reselling things at a profit, especially little food stands. These guys run their own business starting with a capital base of a few dollars, the cost of a few eggs, a loaf of bread, and a gas bench top and they've got their own omelette sandwich business. And I've got lots of respect for that, because I've never run my own business before, apparently I need at least $50 000 to start. Ha!

 

After dinner I walked back to the hostel but was halted by a raging torrential puddle that nobody dared to cross. Having 10 rupees left in my pocket I gave it to a rickshaw to take me across. Halfway through the 17m journey I was overtaken by a cow. It just casually walked by faster than the traffic allowed me to move. This isn't even funny. I don't know what I paid 10 rupees for now. It's humooliating!!

 

 

Mr Lassi.