Today's Bum

[DAB]

had to get a load of water today, and the gas sucking truck also needed to be filled with gasoline. so off to the gas station before i get the water. pretty quiet on a sunday morning, have the end island to myself. park and get out, and see a guy wandering around between me and the clerk's shack. he get closer, comments on my nice trailer and my large truck. ok, thanks dude. he keeps his distance, which is good, and then cuts to the chase. "do you have any spare change for tobacco or coffee?"

well, if you had stopped at 'change' and said you were hungry, you had a shot, as there is a new Starbucks adjacent to the gas station. but i'll pass on you sucking down cigarettes and pointless coffee (it tastes good, but it's not filling).

then saw another guy, shaved head, very large t-shirt, baggy shorts, walking oddly, holding onto something in his right pocket (i guessed a gun), kept an eye on him until he went out of sight.

[JRD77VET]

"Situational awareness"

A few weeks ago when I stopped at our small town post office on a Saturday morning, a 40ish year old guy on bicycle with a cane across the handlebars came over to me as I got out. He asked if I had $2 so he could get some food for lunch. He pulled a couple crumbled dollar bills out of his pocket and said " I almost have enough".

I straight out asked him if it was for food or a "bad habit"? He said for food. ( he looked "good enough" that i believed him.)

I went into the post office to mail the box I was sending. I got two dollars out and stuck it in my pocket.

When I got back out to the suburban, he was waiting and thanked me a few times for the money for food. I even gave him a pack of crackers I had in my lunchbox.

Do I do that often? NO. Most times I ignore them and keep going. I help by donating to the local food bank/ helping hand

[simpleman68]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

"Situational awareness"

Absolutely

I use to work in NYC and got hit up for money daily. Instead of judging them I did the old trust but verify deal.

I always asked them if they were hungry. 99% of the time they got mad and walked away.
One day had a guy nearly break down crying because I bought him a huge sandwich (enough for 2-3 meals) and a water.

Not long ago I was almost that guy and know what it is to struggle and be hungry; not inconvenienced but seriously hungry and not sure where I was going to sleep that night.
"But for the grace of God"
Scott

[BADRACR1]

I always tell them no cash, just a debit card but can get them a sammich. Mostly rejected.

[Bill]

Given the thread title, I was kinda hoping this would be a 'Friday 5' type thread.

[DAB]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Given the thread title, I was kinda hoping this would be a 'Friday 5' type thread.