Gord's Guide to Blind Beggars in Malaysia

Have you ever donated to a blind beggar?

Are you sure he/she is blind?

Does he/she really need to depend on your donation to live?



There are few categories of blind beggars in Malaysia.
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The Street Musicians

This group of blindmen/women actually make an honest earning by collecting donations out of their ability to perform musically. Although they might be classified as 'Musicians'; they are also somehow still considered 'beggars' because of sympathy-driven donations that they receive. You would be more than willing to pay Stevie Wonder to sing.... but for a bad karaoke from a street blindman?... You'll donate.

These "Amateur Stevie Wonders" would normally perform alone accompanied by their Casio Keyboards and a Mic hooked to a 20watt Vox Amplifier/Speaker blasted to the maximum level. They do occasionally perform as duo or trio. The extras would normally play percussion such as Tambourine or Bells. They would sing all the 70's hits by using their Casio Presets tones; which at times, sounded like a bad karaoke music.

There are something else that puzzled me. I'm not too sure how they manage to carry the large amplifier/speakers, keyboards and other equipments around;... and position them on the same spot everyday to carry out their mini concerts on the street.
My theory= They uses 'roadies' whenever they go on these 'daily-tours'.

Some people consider them as 'sound polluters' for blasting the music as loud as they can to attract attentions. Some may sound awful, and occasionally, you do get "Real Stevie Wonders" which are exceptionally good. ("I jaz koh, to say, I lap you, I jaz koh, to say how much I keh"). Some may consider them as Artistes.

Anyway, if you see them. Do consider giving them some loose change. They really need the money to upgrade their music instruments, sound systems and go for music classes.

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The Lonely Blindman

You'll see them standing at one corner of the walkway(market, streets,shopping complex;-for as long as they don't get chase away) wearing an 80s shade, with a cup in one hand, and a walking stick gripped tightly on another hand. They will also occasionally hold a sign that says "I'm Blind" (I'm kidding).

Due to immobility, they would normally station in one position for a very long time to collect donation.
They will try to look as sad as they possibly can to gain your attention.

Occasionally, they'll have a basket of tissue papers with them. Note: They are not trying to sell you tissue papers to wipe your arse or nose. It's meant to be a token of appreciation for your donation.

If they are found genuine, please to give some loose change to them.

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The Exhibitionist

They are mostly genuinely blind. They would not wear shades and walk around with the discolored eyeballs and ask for some money. They would normally walk around hawkers stalls and restaurants that they are familiar in.

Honestly, some of them are approximately 80% blind (Glaucoma and other partial blindness problems). They can still move around and see a little bit of everything; so don't strip naked in front of them.

They are exceptionally rare (Not many actually like to exhibit). What these blindmen do is to imply fear attack on you; hoping that you'll donate to make them go away. Their discolored eyes actually looks pretty creepy.

It's advisable to talk to them nicely when they approach you. Just like transvestites, they can actually attack you. Give them some loose change if you want.

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The Excorted VIPs

Some blind beggars don't like to beg alone. It is probably due to security reasons. They don't wanna get robbed by another blind beggars.

This group of blind beggars would be accompanied by another person wherever they walk. They work together with a healthy non-OKU person to achieve the best results in begging.

Being able to walk around faster and more efficiently, they results of begging would be a lot more efficient. They collect a lot faster and a lot more than the rest.

Occasionally, they would churn out tissue papers, mini calendars, condoms and toys as an appreciation for your donation.

With their excorts (Not the Hotties you found by calling the Excort numbers), they will be able to move and linger around every tables in Mamak, Restaurants and Pubs, hence, allow them to collect more.

Quite a large number of them are involved in syndicated Blind Begging trips, organized by some assholes. You gotta spot them well.
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How to Spot a real Blind Person.

-He/She wears a watch (I swear I've seen a Rolex wearing Blind Beggar).

-He/She tries too hard to roll the eyes backward (A real blind person don't have to do that). You can definitely see the little eyes movement that are at times; a bit shaky.

-He/She seems to have a good fashion sense (I don't know how a Blind person appreciate good fashion)

-He/She turn his/her head around; as if he/she's scanning for something. That could mean that they are using their vision.

-He/She tries to hide the eye under a Sunglasses; and often adjust the glasses to make sure it's fitted properly so that the cover is not blown.

-He/She talks about Colours, Sizes, Contemporary Arts, Hunks/Chicks or Cars (as if they know what they are talking about).

-He/She carries books around.

-He/She (The Blind Musicians) uses Music/Lyric sheets.