I'd say begging is more useful as a taunt mechanic than as its actual purpose.

Begging is a great way to pull mobs through wall/floor if you don't have taunt.

You need fishing to complete Othmir Prexus Totem quest. That alone makes it more useful than begging.

So use it but avoid skilling it up, b/c it gets worse if you get better at it.

Do fishing so you don't have to spend money on food...

Use begging on mobs you are willing to kill but don't attack you first.

You'll probably get more skill points in fishing then begging.

Begging off boats. I remember it was one of the popular ways to while away that grueling trip from Freeport to BB. You can still beg off the shuttles from BB to the Firona Vie boat. I think most of the others have been patched.

I’d say fishing + alcool tolerance + baking. Be the first fish & chips of Norrath. People need to eat. Find a good spot in NFP and maybe take over the Green Jade. Get yourself known with a couple of tunnel spam. Get rich eventually