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**Anteneprorid** · 02-05-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote[/b] (stevesuphan @ Feb. 09 2005,19:31)]Don't buy a rose from a child beggar at night, you don't want to promote child labour.

Not sure what ypu mean by this or if I can agree with you. When I used to be a co-owner of a pub in Ratchada, Bangkok not too long ago, I sometimes buy roses from a lovely little 7 year-old girl t give to my girlfriend whenever we visit. This little one is a really smart gal, and she can sell more flowers per night than her mother! I had asked her once if she hated what she was doing and she said no. She enjoys selling the flowers and at the same time help her parents to make a living as she knows that they are working very hard, and she does it only after school in the evenings anyway.

In fact, many customers (including me) found her so sweet and lovable and in addition to buying flowers from her specifically (yes, we waited for her to come and some of us even bought the whole bunch that she was carrying), some of us also bought her stuff toys sold by other vendors. She always had something nice to say about the lady partners, smart little girl.

Do I see myself as promoting child labour? No. I often spoke to her mother and you can tell how proud she was of her little gal. I also remember how poor my family was when I was young. I had to help out in my father's little market stall since I was 5 years old. My dad had no choice but to drag the whole family in. He simply cannot afford any helpers. Every precious bit we made comes back to the family. I never felt exploited at all. In fact I was glad I could contribute, even at a tender age of 5 years old. So I could certainly identify with that little girl. I have met so many young school-going Thai kids who felt the same sense of responsbility to help out in the family.

02-05-2011, 08:56 AM	#8
Anteneprorid Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 489 Senior Member	Quote[/b] (stevesuphan @ Feb. 09 2005,19:31)]Don't buy a rose from a child beggar at night, you don't want to promote child labour. Not sure what ypu mean by this or if I can agree with you. When I used to be a co-owner of a pub in Ratchada, Bangkok not too long ago, I sometimes buy roses from a lovely little 7 year-old girl t give to my girlfriend whenever we visit. This little one is a really smart gal, and she can sell more flowers per night than her mother! I had asked her once if she hated what she was doing and she said no. She enjoys selling the flowers and at the same time help her parents to make a living as she knows that they are working very hard, and she does it only after school in the evenings anyway. In fact, many customers (including me) found her so sweet and lovable and in addition to buying flowers from her specifically (yes, we waited for her to come and some of us even bought the whole bunch that she was carrying), some of us also bought her stuff toys sold by other vendors. She always had something nice to say about the lady partners, smart little girl. Do I see myself as promoting child labour? No. I often spoke to her mother and you can tell how proud she was of her little gal. I also remember how poor my family was when I was young. I had to help out in my father's little market stall since I was 5 years old. My dad had no choice but to drag the whole family in. He simply cannot afford any helpers. Every precious bit we made comes back to the family. I never felt exploited at all. In fact I was glad I could contribute, even at a tender age of 5 years old. So I could certainly identify with that little girl. I have met so many young school-going Thai kids who felt the same sense of responsbility to help out in the family.
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