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Professional Romanian Beggars
Professional Romanian Beggars
raish


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
Location: Oslo
Date: Mar 21, 2009
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/80
Date Uploaded: Mar 21, 2009

Viewed: 2519
Comments: 8
Favorites: 0

 There's little doubt in my mind that the term 'professional beggars' is correct for these people. They occupy strategic positions in and around Oslo, cultivating looks of doggy-eyed poverty and so on. Although there are alway rumours of them being 'actually very rich', I suspect that they are just rumours.
People from Romania are, perhaps understandably, often offended by the association with their nationality. They claim that these people are Gypsies, possibly from Romania but also possibly from Bulgaria or some other South-Eastern European country. The terms are pretty imprecise - there's some stuff here about the nomadic demographic group to which it would seem that they belong.
I've been used to seeing 'them' or similar people in mainland Europe but apparently they have travelled farther afield lately. There's certainly been a significant recent increase here.
I don't like being begged at, but I don't like being judgemental either. There is no room for nomadic people in the nation state and nation states have taken over the world. People like this were specifically included in Hitler's Final Solution and you don't see a whole lot of compensation coming their way for it.
So there you are. Just another aspect of migration. Big world.

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AuthorThread
 05/17/2009 01:10:44 AM
That's quite the story to go with the picture. Not knowing these people, if they are rich then they are very good actors. They look quite sad to me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/21/2009 10:32:32 PM
I absolutely LOVE the story that this pic tells and the fact that it is candid. However, I really wish the van was not in the background...I thing being able to see the street and the people walking on the street would have been much nicer. If this had been in a challenge I would have given a very nice score...Good job on the photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/01/2009 12:08:50 PM
Thank you for the story that goes with your poignant photography. I personally have always had a heart for people who never found a way to settle and make a life for themselves thru work and ownership of enough to get by without having to live on the street. It has to be tough -- especially in very cold weather.

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/25/2009 10:31:31 PM
I like the way this tells a story and the candid shot!
We have beggars a nearly every traffic light in South Africa black and white always with a sign no job etc. mostly if you offer them a job they refuse as they say they earn more at begging than at working!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/22/2009 09:29:17 PM
Great candid shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/22/2009 04:25:39 AM
Nice candid shot. Very interesting read you included. Nice bonus to go with the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2009 06:22:16 PM
They're not Romanians, they are Gypsies or as they call themselves, Rroma. Originally they are from India and they can be from anywhere throughout Europe. Look it up on Wikipedia.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/21/2009 03:30:01 PM
Based on your title, I take it these folks hang together, but then disperse to go about the business of begging, yes?
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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