As much as I am passionate about roaming in airports, cruise ports and train stations, enjoying and wondering about the dynamics of travelers, there are some things that can surely take you out of your comfort zone.

For me it is to see or be accosted by beggars,

Although I love to travel alone, especially for my last minute changes, today I felt a bit vulnerable to be alone and the objective, at the Central Milan train station, this lady was probably 55 or 60 years old, maybe she was not Italian, I was sitting in front of the Juice Bar restaurant eating a delicious and warm sandwich, after 2 bites, this lady came asking for a piece of bread, me and the other group of people eating right next to me. she didn’t move and kept asking for a piece of bread she kept saying “a piece of bread please please” needless to say she couldn’t swallow any more bites also due to the fact that her finger pointing at my sandwich was about 1cm away, I decided to offer her the bread, so I picked up my 4″ long sandwich and offered it to her, she looked at it, and to my surprise she didn’t accept it and said, is that fish?

I’m going no, just take it, it’s not fish.

He put his fingers in it and didn’t take the damn sandwich!

The girl at the next table starts talking to her, even though all her friends told her not to,

So this nice lady tells him, there is no fish sandwich, the beggar insisted, yes yes fish sandwich. Kind lady takes her bag, stands up and says “I’ll buy you the sandwich” and then the moment of truth, the beggar said, no I’m not buying it, give me a euro please please!

By then I have already left the sandwich. He grabs my bags and Star walks away.

I felt disappointed, angry, aggravated and worse, hungry!

How can we read through people seeking help?

How do we know if they are really hungry?

Aren’t we supposed to help those in need?

My journey at the station did not end there, but I managed to continue my journey by train back to my next hotel.

I totally believe that we should work to earn every euro/dollar, I gladly help someone selling flowers or water because at least they are making the effort instead of just extending a hand. And the truth is, I swear every penny I make.

I know this is not a unique story, it may happen to you all the time, but I can’t help but wonder how should I react next time?

Are situations like this the reason most people just ignore them?

What would you do?