*rant alert*
Would you hand out sweets and toys to random local children in your own country? I totally do not support this kind of activity as it reinforces a really bad stereotype of foreigners. Having lived in bush country Africa, this kind of thing tends to happen on a daily basis and quite frankly it becomes annoying. The high level of expectation that foreigners will give you something is the driving force behind why you get flocked by small children in back-country villages. Unfortunately, I've figured out that kids are amped because they reckon they will get something, not because they are so happy to see me.

Spend your money in local businesses and keep the gifts for special occasions. That alone will buy you more than enough karma, more than a life time of purchasing fair trade coffee.

*rant over*

I couldn't agree more with most of the posters here. I never randomly hand out anything to strangers along the way. This is a tough one to rant on since the ones who've created the child begging issues were well meaning ...albeit seriously misguided. It does nonetheless make my blood boil when I'm constantly hearing "bonbon", "cadeau", "stylo", "Un Dirham", "Un Peso", "Regalo", "gimme", "monies", "dulces", "one dollah", "chicle" ...along with the universal rubbing of fingers for more money, or the palm up outstretched hand. ...money for nothing and your chiclets for free

I have given items to people I've met along the way but only if a personal connection was made. For example I may give my travel mascot to the kids of the family I stayed with at the end of the trip. At the end of another trip I gave my small Spanish dictionary to the chambermaid, who was trying to pick up some English, at the guesthouse in Cuba as part of a tip. When I realized that I was carrying way to much stuff on my Dominican Republic trip, I gave the excess to the Belgian hostess who was going to give it to locals in need. Sometimes I let kids sit on my cold bike and let their faces light up in delight. Never! Ever! do I give something to someone who demands it in the first place, and never ever do I give things out as a matter of routine. Personal connection or services rendered sometimes works.

I carry a laminated world map to show people where I'm from if they're curious. I also carry a small stack of Canadian flag stickers for those who've shown a genuine interest in my trip and myself. Again, not just randomly handed out.

These are much more meaningful gestures than randomly giving kids, and adults, a bunch of beggar making, sugar addiction creating stuff for no good reason. While I don't think those who indiscriminately hand out stuff are bad people, I do agree with those who say it's more about making themselves feel good ...whether they're aware of it or not.

As a final thought and rhetorical question. How would you feel if a perfect stranger came around and started handing out candy to your neighbourhood kids?

...Michelle