I was waiting at Booval train station so that I could go into the airport and pick up the hire car. I was sitting on the bench in the shade and beside me were a young Asian mother with her children and another mother and daughter from local stock. The locals were not rich folk and looked like they were doing it tough. An old guy came onto the platform and headed our way. He was shuffling and looking a little bit disorientated, he was wearing old baggy clothes which were clean but old. He came towards us and headed straight to the locals and asked them for money, he said he needed to make a phone call. They gave him some money and he about turned and shuffled back down the platform.

The train came and I got on, which was a relief because it was beginning to get hot outside and so it was good to be in the air-conditioning. About 20 minutes into the journey the old man came shuffling through the carriage looking for his next mark. He passed me again and headed to another local that seemed to be doing it tough. He never approached; let’s say the more affluent looking in the carriage. He gave him some spiel and then politely produced a few coins and gave them to the old man. The old man thanked him and continued down the carriage until he saw the mother and daughter he had fleeced on the platform and quickly about faced and headed back my way. Oops nearly got caught………..

I got off at Central Station to get my connecting train to the airport. As I was waiting there, guess what here is the old man again on the opposite platform once again looking for his next mark and he homes in on some young girls sitting there. They off course feel sorry for him and give him money. I saw him approach one more middle aged woman before my train came. He sat down beside here and then after about 30 seconds starts his spiel and before you know it she is digging into her purse and giving him the cash. I guess there are many ways to make a quid but this has got to be a pretty low way indeed. This is his job, he prays on the kindness of others and he is very smart at picking his mark. This is a new form of begging which he has mastered very well.