There are few things as challenging as the moment when, while walking along a sidewalk in Paris, San Francisco, or Cartagena, someone in need asks you for money. (I will also say that I imagine there are few things as challenging as being in a place in your life where you have to ask strangers for money.)
What do you do, personally? Do you give? Do you avert your eyes and keep on walking? Is it somewhere in between? Regardless of the decision you make, it’s a complex moment from a human perspective. And that complexity was the subject of our inaugural digital advice column, also called Unpacked. In it Dr. Anu Taranath, a speaker, consultant, and author of the book Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, responds to a reader’s question asking if she did the right thing by giving money.
And in today’s episode, Dr. Anu expands on her answer. We talked about her initial reaction to the question, the insidiousness of inequality, and the times in her life when she’s encountered panhandling. (She has an incredible story from a trip to Senegal.) What I love about Anu’s response is that she doesn’t have a definitive answer. In fact, she says, there are no easy answers when it comes to living in an unequal world.
But her advice is empathetic and full of understanding that the world isn’t black and white. And most importantly, she shares how to navigate these situations with dignity and grace—for all involved.
Meet this week’s guest
Resources
Live Snakes, Birkin Bags, Hoverboards, and More: Life Inside the Store That Sells Lost Luggage
A Way (Way, Way) Better Way to Book Travel Using Points and Miles
Replay: Everything You Need to Know About Travel Insurance (Before Booking Your Summer Trips)
Introducing The Decision Coach: How to Make Big Choices
Visiting Native Communities Is More Important Than Ever—Here’s How to Do It Right
The True Story of One of the World's Most Diverse Cities
Taylor Swift, New Flights, and Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know About Summer Travel This Year
Behind the Scenes: How We Create Our Best New Hotels List
This Midwestern City Is One of the Country’s Best-Kept Food Secrets
At This Remote Island Resort, Staff Housing Is (Almost) as Luxurious as the Guest Quarters
Why You Have to See the April Solar Eclipse, According to an Airstream-Loving Astronomy Expert
Replay: Here's How to Get the Best Sleep While Traveling
A Professional Decision Coach’s Secrets to Making Better Choices in Travel—and Beyond
How to Budget for Travel, No Matter Your Income
Unpacking Albuquerque
At This London Tour Company, Formerly Unhoused People Are Your Guides
You Can Get Free Flights and Hotel Stays Easier Than You Think. Here’s How.
Where to Cruise This Year—Even if You Think You're Not a Cruiser
The 25 Most Exciting Places to Travel in 2024
Unpacked Returns: A Bigger, Brighter World Awaits
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