Tired local women endlessly paddle tourists down the narrow canals around their villages. And they whisper to boaters as they speed by, “Give money, give money.” I was about to give to this lady, who looked older than 50 but was likely younger, but the German couple riding behind me said I shouldn’t. I am now somewhat conflicted about when it's appropriate to give money or tip.
Earlier in the morning, a beggar approached me as I was signing up for my tour, and the businessman I was dealing with frowned and said I shouldn’t give her any money, it encourages laziness. Later I saw two young women stop their mopeds to lean down to put bills in some beggars' baskets, and decided if they're doing it on the streets, it's at least not a faux pas, and some Vietnamese are just more Republican than others, despite their forced Communist party affiliation.