Best Posts in Thread: A few Peso for the carolers this time of year... or ... :)

It's all Ok until it is the same little tribe every night, now that can get just a tad tiresome Every one around here gets well looked after at Christmas but the Push Push can get so very.....................

 

At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,' said the gentleman, taking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.'

'Are there no prisons?' asked Scrooge.

'Plenty of prisons,' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

'And the Union workhouses?' demanded Scrooge. 'Are they still in operation?'

'They are. Still,' returned the gentleman, 'I wish I could say they were not.'

'The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?' said Scrooge.

'Both very busy, sir.'

'Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,' said Scrooge. 'I am very glad to hear it.'

'Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,' returned the gentleman, 'a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?'

'Nothing!' Scrooge replied.

'You wish to be anonymous?'

'I wish to be left alone,' said Scrooge. 'Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.'

'Many can't go there; and many would rather die.'

'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides—excuse me—I don't know that.'

'But you might know it,' observed the gentleman.

'It's not my business,' Scrooge returned. 'It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!'

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the gentlemen withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion of himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.

 

I agree with those who want to give, even if to make just a small difference but also I agree with those who do not want constant pestering at home. The best solution may be to give to people you meet away from the home - I remember as a child carolling and as soon as one group told us how generous a person was, we would all go there! I also had experience here of giving to carollers - it was a large sports group raising money for equipment and they later returned asking me to sponsor their team clothes. I am buying soft toys, candies, biscuits, rice and fish to give away this Christmas to those who have much less then I do and I do not care less what is their religion, beliefs or attitudes. I just hope one or two feel happier.

 

My two dogs go to the gate and bark louder than the carollers but my wife still brings them out some pesos. Some years the Bacong police group come by, actually good singers. Beers and pesos for them.

 

Depending on the living situation, as for example mine, if I don't wanna donate I just keep the front door closed. Curtains do cover my windows so anybody outside has no idea someone is inside. 9 out of 10 the singing stops within a few seconds and the carolers move on next door or else.

 

The foreigner who doesn't give to the carolers is f*cking cheap Charlie in my opinion. I observe people give in their home country but not in the Philippines, why? I'm far from holy and not Santa Claus but I have a bowl with candy and another with coins, it's a tradition here Christmas time and you make kids happy, with a little applause and candy/coins. My ex-neighbor went out and shouted f*ck off to the kids, one morning he had 4 flat tires (of course not okay in my opinion) be a little smart, candy is cheaper than 4 tires lol and why not have a good relation to your neighbors

 

Halloween; you ask if it's really that different. Yes. Halloween is just one night/eve and for just a few hours. Christmas here singing at your gate goes on day and night for 5 weeks or more.

 

How about halloween in western countries? Is it that different? I'll compare it to that. There are 2 types coming to your door, the kid dressed up in a costume all nice like saying the magic words "Trick or treat" and you give them a piece of candy. Its not charity but a tradition where there are 2 ends being met first the kid dressed up in a costume and the 2nd a piece of candy. Now its far different if someone shows up at my door not dressed up and probably not even at the right time (june maybe?) and wanting candy.

Here instead of halloween they have Christmas caroling where the tradition is they come and sing (properly) and you give them a few peso's. Its not charity as they are meeting a tradition requirement which is thought of as bringing a smile and a song to someone. That however is far different then the beggar who shows up and right away its *merry pasco* like your supposed to run out and just give them coins even though they never fulfilled their end of the tradition. Some will short change it as well with saying "feliz navidad" 2-3 times as if that is all there is to say in the song before starting a 10-15 *merry pasco* chant.

So to me if they show up at my door and do their end of the tradition and don't abuse it (coming back constantly) I'll respect the tradition and carry out my houses end of the tradition. I see traditions as very important as long as they don't harm anyone and I also believe as a guest in someone else's home or country they should respect those traditions as I expect those visiting my home or country (sadly that part is rarely done though).