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Thread: Is that right or wrong?
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[quote=LEMONCACTUS ,33719]HI AliceA pertinent question.Speaking for myself I often use these rickshaws and have never felt guilty about it. I usually use them for short journeys and have had many interesting chats with the pedallers/drivers. I must say none of whom have seemed 'unhappy' in their work.The lovely rickshaw driver, who used his own feet above and beyond the call of duty when I was travelling Jilin not only got over double what he asked from me at the end, but also roped me into a trip with a friend of his, thus making money for him too.I have seen people using the bamboo chairs and being lifted up the mountains. In fact, I would never do this because I can't imagine not walking up a mountain.... if I couldn't walk with my own 2 feet I wouldn't go there. But again, this is how these men make their living, who are we either to judge that it is beneath them or to say that they don't enjoy it. Has anyone stopped and asked them ?People who are rude to anyone are rude, fullstop. I have never seen this myself, usually it is the bamboo chair carriers who are yelling at us mountain walkers to get out of their way ;)I tend to believe more in the argument that by not using the rickshaws you are depriving someone of making a living. Even if your morals and principals for not taking a ride with them are sound. The alternative is to pay a taxi driver who is obviously richer, will charge you more and uses a vehicle which causes pollution.I want to quote 'Desiderata' here because I think the lines fit..."Keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time."Last of all. A couple of weeks ago I was climbing Tianmushan in Zhejiang with an American teacher. At many times we were offered a ride, by the grinning bamboo chair carriers, but always refused. At one place, my friend asked me if I would ask the carriers if he could have a go at carrying the chair with them. So I did and they agreed. A small child was in the chair. My friend could barely lift it and much enjoyment ensued. We were both left with great respect for the power and strength of these carriers and their nimble and swift negotiation of the mountain.[/quote]
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