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I went on the subway today, and it was crowded as usual.  Then I hear some music in the background, and I turn to see that it is a beggar moving forward, singing.  Most people, including myself, moved out of the way.  It seemed a bit odd to me at first, seeing beggars on the train asking for money.  But then I remember what it is like in the US.

Back at home, our subways have beggars too.  However, I think they are more aggressive than they are here in China.  One time, a beggar kept following me for ten minutes, shouting at me “I know you have money kid, come on!”  I thought at that time I was going to get stabbed.  Here, the beggars seem less aggressive, which I find interesting.

Another time, I was with my friends at night, and we came across a homeless man, asking for money.  When we told him we didn’t, he got angry at us, and yelled at us, shouting “God strike you down for not giving an old man a penny!”  He then chased us, so we ran for about two minutes before we lost him.  In China, the beggars only come up to you and ask for money, and I haven't been chased or extremely harrased by anyone yet.

In the US, there are organizations that try to help people in this situation, such as soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Are there any groups like this in China?
Have you had a different experience?