Cilla,
There are some well known examples which are viewed positively: Christian monks for one thing. Pilgrims for the other (cf. history of Knights Hospitaliers, before it became a military order and then major naval power in Mediterranean). Some "bohemian" communities characterized by mutual support. Or the British lady who followed the whole course of Volga river in her kayak a few years ago: she didn't ask anyone, but there were thousands followers in her twitter and dozens people in various places drove (sometimes hours) to her then location to offer help. Even though she din't ask, such endeavours do rely on support from locals to some extent.
There were also ancient notions of hospitality - travels were hard and dangerous and in some cultures it was considered a good idea to feed a stranger and to let him stay in your house (he would return the favor).
For each of these exmaples I can point at a certian difference, but my point it: it depends on. I don't think that in modern times when travelling is easier there necessary should be no place for assisting young travelling folks.
But everything depends on details and I don't trust this article as a source of details. I think my attitude to each of them would much depend on his/her personality and how and why.
"fetishize powerty" (Abdullah)
Well, Arabic word فقیر (faqir) has entered many languages, including Russian, English and French - though in Russian it has a different meaning.
Begging something is not my cup of tea, so I don't like if someone asks money when they are capable to earn themselves. So, if those people are fond of travelling around the world and they are lack of money, then there are some interesting programs like WWOOF, where you can work in farms around the world or there are some volunteering work which will give you chance to work abroad. You can travel in that way.
But asking people to fund your journey without giving them anything back... well, seriously?
That is, for 4 500 000 000 Asians (59% of world population) there is a trillion tourists.
Meanwhile I have never met one in Russia.
I know, we can understand "people in Asia" as a certain subgroup of people in Asia, but I'm not sure there is even a subgroup who meets such travellers often.
Can’t say I’m surprised. Some people fetishize poverty and probably intentionally put themselves in these kinds of situations “to experience what it’s like to be poor”.
