Our Desk | Entertained by ‘beg-packers’

Lynzy Valles

I have seen a number of Western backpackers who claim to be touring the world but ask locals for money to help them fund their travels in Southeast Asia.

These backpackers come prepared, ready to showcase talents that include playing electric instruments, complete with mini amplifiers; some sell photographs they took during their recent travels.

These travelers sit or stand behind a cardboard sign that says “I am from *insert a Western country name here*, please support my travel around the world.”

Macau is not the only place where these travelers come to ask for funds, but it is more commonplace in other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam and even Singapore.

Southeast Asia remains an attractive destination for people in the West, and some of these backpackers are smart enough to fund their way across all 11 countries in the region.

Although I have not witnessed locals rage about these backpackers’ bizarre activities to earn funds, a number of netizens have slammed the travelers, noting that it is not a normal activity to be conducted in Asia.

Reports have said that Thailand is cracking down on “beg-packers,” a term used for the Western backpackers who ask locals for money on the streets. The crackdown reflected the disapproval and offense felt by the Thai authorities and population.

While these backpackers have their own ways of funding their trips around the world, other aspiring travelers have also started crowdfunding projects to raise money for their trips. 

Apparently, these kinds of activities online no longer shock internet users – it has become shamelessly normal.

The strong desire to travel is being spread by social media; excessive amounts of inspiration are filed under #wanderlust culture and #travelgoals and these hashtags and constantly fueling younger generations’ tendency to be obsessed with travel.

In general millennials are the group guilty of increasing the value placed on travel. It has become a necessity, and the need to ‘experience other cultures’ has become an obligation.

Going back to the initial topic, Macau locals seem to approve of these backpackers’ activities in Leal Senado and in Rua do Campo. We support them by stopping by and listening to their music, or purchasing photographs of scenery on the other side of the world.

Maybe this is because it gives the city some sort of a new culture, or a different atmosphere.

These Western ‘musicians’ play their own music in the city, attracting passers-by to watch them strum their instruments and ultimately drop a pink bill into a small box on the floor.

Last year, street performances were said to bring the arts closer to people.

The authorities previously highlighted that “this form of presenting performing arts to the public has advantages to both artists and the public in general” and is being conducted in different cities and regions, namely in Europe.

However, a permit is required to engage in such activities and I doubt these Western backpackers went to the trouble of acquiring a permit.

In Macau we are becoming more keen to experience something new and witness unique and artistic street performances. Evidently, this has become one of them.

We seemed to be very impressed when such performances are held on the streets – despite their being a normal activity in other countries – and at this point we do not see the ‘beg-packers’ as offensive or odd.