Well, I don't think democracy is to blame, as I also don't think there's anything democratic about our government. It's more like a post-communism high. 500 years of Turkish yoke didn't do what 50 of this soviet stuff did. After all this time of oppression (the state just taking away property or land, police patrols on the night before Easter, in case someone decides to go to church, etc.) now everyone's looking out for number one. In such an environment there isn't much help for the needy. I don't even know if we have shelters. If a church or something organizes a "feed the hungry" day, it's all over the news, so I take it we don't have feeding shelters or whatever the places are called either. It's just that nobody wants to give something away, even if he has lots of it. It's not really greed (unless it's a politician). It's more like some kind of fear that it could be taken away any minute by the Party. And with inflation and stuff I sometimes wonder how these people survive. I guess they make enough money begging.
I also give them money sometimes and once or twice - food. I never really thought about why. I just know I have some change I'd probably spend on something I don't need, and here's an old lady who actually needs the money. It's logical. I also pity them, especially seeing them in the blistering cold of a December morning... I somehow doubt the baba in question deserves that. I imagine her children and grandchildren have sold her apartment and left the country or something like that (quite possible, actually). It's sad, really.
Well, actually I only give to old women. Call me prejudiced, but young people could find a job or leave the city (as I doubt they are really born here). Also call me racist, but I don't give to gypsies. People who would use babies and barely walking kids (probably not theirs) in the cold and dirt like that or who would drag a poor, underfed bear around by a chain and a nose ring, for the same purpose, making it stand up at the sound of a few pulled strings - as sorry as I am for the kids and the bears, such people just don't deserve a penny in my book.
That aside, when I give money to a poor old lady, it does make me feel happy. Not only because I have helped her buy some food, but because I have given her a smile. And I've also given her hope - for the future - hers, this country's and the world's. And to hear her heartfelt blessings really warms my heart in return. It doesn't really matter why you do it. What matters is that it's a good thing you're doing. :)
My, I'm wordy tonight...
Oh, PS - there's this old man with a big white beard sometimes begging in front of the Sveti Sedmochislenitsi church (close to Slaveikov sq) who at the end of the day gives all the money to that church. They give him food in return. He's a good man, I gather, so I give him money sometimes too. Unlike the dude in the wheelchair in front of the same church - I've seen him use his legs with no problem. Has a cell phone too.
							P.S. - Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!