I walk to and from work each day in a large urban downtown in the US, and I average one interaction each way, each day. Almost none of them are approaching me a

I walk to and from work each day in a large urban downtown in the US, and I average one interaction each way, each day. Almost none of them are approaching me about anything involving a scam. For every 5 people that communicate (other than a nod or polite hello), 4 are just asking for money, full-stop. That's begging, but not a scam. It's honest, they ask, I say no, because I don't carry cash. The other 1 out of 5, such as today, was just a guy who wasn't sure if the bus he was looking for stopped at the street we were both on. It was about 22:30 and he was worried he'd miss the last express bus home. Occasionally someone asks for money for food, and then I offer to buy them lunch, and most turn it down. Maybe that counts as a scam? But some take me up on it. So if that's a scam, I'd estimate 5% of people I talk to ask me for money for food, truly just want money, and have a scam in mind. That's definitely a minority. Edit: As additional context, I traveled through China for a little over a month in 2005, and very much related to the GP's comment. I know the country has changed massively since then, but I have traveled through a half-dozen countries, lived in 2 others, and China stands out in that way.