I was on my way to work and there was someone panhandling the stopped cars on the median at a major intersection. A homeless man walking his bike through the crosswalk stopped and gave the other man some cash. It was very surreal but heartwarming.
Professional courtesy.I was on my way to work and there was someone panhandling the stopped cars on the median at a major intersection. A homeless man walking his bike through the crosswalk stopped and gave the other man some cash. It was very surreal but heartwarming.
The circumstances of her asking were as sketchy as an artists rendering.Upon contemplation of the above post, I learned something that day. Later, I felt a little guilt at not responding to the lady's request. THEN a realization settled upon my little pea sized brain. When I feel COMPELLED to give someone money I do so. When I do not feel compelled to do so, I don't. The guilt I was feeling was not from my own evaluation of the situation, but the guilt was from the fine performance the woman gave. I am going to remember that just like "no gas, no squeegee" no feeling of being compelled, no money. Somehow someone in a late model Camero asking for gas money doesn't offer a whole lot of encouragement for feeling compelled. Of course, if the car were stolen, that would offer up a whole different set of circumstances.
Imploring tears cascading down her countenance as if a monsoon suddenly crossed the landscape of her face.The circumstances of her asking were as sketchy as an artists rendering.
YEP!!"
Ok, on Second thought, maybe you could have bought one their Hubcaps for $5.Imploring tears cascading down her countenance as if a monsoon suddenly crossed the landscape of her face.
Ok, on Second thought, maybe you could have bought one their Hubcaps for $5.
They were definitely not a team.Heartwarming? I hate to be cynical but he was probably just giving him his cut, they often work in teams.
Okay that's good to know, thank you for clarifying.They were definitely not a team.
Where I am, teams will work multiple corners at the same time. The panhandler was nicely dressed and not necessarily homeless, the guy on the bike had on dirty clothes with holes and had a dog in a trailer on the bike for companionship. You see this a lot here unfortunately.
Yeah, Kinda walked into that one!Silly boy, Cameros don't have hubcaps, they have custom wheels the better to showcase their expensive tires.
My wife and I stopped off for gas in a nice neighborhood the other day. A man and woman pulled up in the next island in a late model Chevy Camero. I was filling my car, don't hear very well, and generally ignore strangers, but the lady was insistent in asking me if I could put some gas in her car so that she and her (boyfriend, husband?) could drive home.
Now, I don't know where home was, nor did she say, but I can't remember heading out somewhere in my auto, and planning on bumming enough money to get home on. I kept filling my car and didn't register any notice at all of her request. I observed said (boyfriend, husband?) circling the islands then get back in the car and leave. Presumably to run out of gas along the highway.
When a guy is dressed better than I am (not hard to do) AND driving a newer, more expensive car than I am, plus is at least fifty years younger than I am, it's hard to drum up a lot of sympathy, and dig deep in my pocket for gas money for them. I'm beginning to think panhandling is just some sort of new enterprise for the young.simiilar, yesterday I stopped to get gas at my usual place. a guy wearing super clean clothes and 'stylish' (if super long shorts and a coordinated shirt and perfectly white tennis shoes are stylish, but you know what I mean. Anyway, ol bent in work boots, a hoodie and khakis (rumpled AF) is pumping gas and the guy asks for some money to help him get home. I shake my head no, smiling but clearly 'no' and he walks to the next car.
then he walks over to his newish truck that has a harley in the back, both clean as a pin! and he resumes wiping truck and bike down as if polishing them!
New cars come in, he repeats. I get a carwash and when I come out, he is still working the same angle.
some people's kids.
On a slightly different note...
A couple of years ago one of my brothers was telling me part of Sisters Theresa's book about giving. She didn't care for the word charity but preferred the term sharing. Long story short, he gave me $100 for Christmas and told me to share it.
Now I live on very meager savings and SS so I really could have used that $100.
But a few days later I was on the bus and saw a couple I had seen a few times before. They both had some physical handicaps but I've seen them around town, always smiling and helping each other. I got off the bus after they did and told them very briefly my brother's sharing story and gave them $20 for lunch and $20 for whatever. I never saw such happiness, even from my kids at Christmas. And I don't think I've felt so good.