1. I’ve seen a lot of deformed people lying on the street asking for money. Feet which are totally turned around, severed limbs, six fingers. Gruesome stuff. I wonder if it’s all real. I haven’t seen this as much in SF.
2. At meals. I’ve been approached several times while eating outdoors. It’s a smart tactic — during a meal you know you’re spending money and thus should have something to give to the beggar (as opposed to just walking down the street). The beggars here are much more tenacious than in the States, I’ve found.
As a matter of principle, I never give to beggars on the street, preferring to donate my charity dollar to organizations.