Years ago a friend told me of an encounter with a panhandler in Berkley California I believe.
A man walked up and asked him for $1. My friend told him he would not give him a dollar but would buy him a meal. The man refused and said he just wanted $1. This went back and forth a couple times and finally the panhandler said come with me. My friend curious and not feeling threatened by the situation decided to follow.
The panhandler led him off the main road, up a decent side road to a decent looking set of apartments. They walked up to a unit and the panhandler pulled out a set of keys and opened up a unit and walked in, inviting my friend in. Still not feeling threatened, my friend followed. He went into the apartment which was nice but not over the top. It was furnished adequately and clean. The panhandler walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a beer and offered my friend one. My friend accepted and the two sat down and visited.
The panhandler explained that he had been in finance in the past but had got very burnt out. He had quit his job and decided to try the panhandling gig. He had set a personal limit of asking each person for $1 and it was adequate to pay his rent, buy groceries and take care of his needs comfortably but modestly. I cannot remember if he had a car or not but he was largely invisible to society and he liked that so if I recall correctly he had no drivers license.
My friend was pretty surprised and amused. He enjoyed the beer and they parted ways.
I think most people on the street are living far worse than this panhandler, but I think that many are burned out and have simply decided to check out of normal society. Most today are drug addicts as well IMO and by any numbers that are collected. But largely it comes down to people not wanting to put up with the strain of "normal" life.
That's a pretty funny story! Interesting and very entertaining account. I think you are right--it's a mix of a minority like the one you described and a lot of people who are otherwise opting out or unemployable due to drug addiction, lazy habits, or mental illness.
Several years ago, a friend of mine would turn at Colfax and Colorado Blvd. on his way home from work.
Every day, the same sign flyer would be on the median. One day my friend happened to arrive as the guy was walking away and getting in his car, a late model Cadillac. On a subsequent day, my friend asked him if the Cadillac was his and he admitted that it was, He said that flying a sign paid better than anything he'd ever done with his degree.
Yes, I was going to include a similar detail in this account. There are a few people who operate in this area, and I have read that one was seen getting into a BMW parked around the corner. I've seen homeless-looking men arrive at a different corner in a taxi before. They rarely want for food--a couple are obese-- and leave behind all sorts of trash, bikes or scooters by the interstate ramp.
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by RT: Restoring Truth
I live in metropolitan Detroit. Driving to midtown one summer afternoon, I was stopped at a traffic light at the end of the off-ramp. A white male in his mid-30s, casually dressed but not in tatters, was sitting to my left on a milk crate holding a sign "NOT GONNA LIE. I WANT BEER." I slipped him a couple of bucks.
Sorry to say, if they're white, and from your descriptions I'm assuming they are, there are all sorts of "hoops" to jump through to get even a McDonald's job: i.e., high school grad, can they fill out an application, police records, drug testing, etc. If they were black, no such requirements would apply. That's what makes panhandling easier and more lucrative financially, especially when you figure in the government taking at least a third of your income in various taxes if you're single. Just sayin'.
Times have changed. In Chicago the C & NW station collects all the trains from the Northern and Western suburbs, mostly wealthy. The 'blind man' was a fixture for years - neat and clean with an open briefcase and dark glasses. Seemed like everyone dropped things in his case and he always politely said thank you. Late one night I caught the last train home. Just before departure the blind man took off his glasses, folded up his briefcase, and took the train.
Over the years I have been hustled, and given more than I should to women because I feel sorry for them and I know what it is to be a young woman with no one in the world. But now it is a different story. In Chicago the infamous 'squeegie men' are back, but this time there is no squeegie -- they surround the car and if you don't give something look out. Things have gotten rough.
Next time, park your car and actually go have a long conversation with some of these people and you will have an opportunity to learn a lot more about who they are and how they got there. Or you can watch on YouTube soft white underbelly to get a bit more insight. It’s nice that you’re taking an interest, but what you’ve written is quite superficial and shallow. Next time do a bit more research and the results might be a bit more compelling.
Thanks, Ken. I imagine there are some colorful stories, indeed. As for the shallow writing, it's worth noting that I have about 2 whole hours per week to write due to my schedule as a mom, counselor, housekeeper, laundry maid, driver, sports travel assistant, cook, dog walker, wedding planner and dorm room designer. If only I had more time for writing and even investigating more deeply, but for now, I am forced to cram it in around my other responsibilities.
I don't think it was shallow at all. I just returned from a visit to Maryland, and in various areas around Baltimore there are what they call the squeegee kids, kids who'll wash your windshield at a light for money. They are all black. On other median strips, there are white people with their cardboard signs, some women and some men. You can't help all of them, but you try to help some. And yes, it's entirely possible that at some point, you'll be scammed. But I let God take care of the scammers and help these others as best I can.
We had a similar thing here in Atlanta at the same intersection as well as a few other spots in the city. They were called "water boys" and became violent, threatening, and frightening. I always kept my window up, knowing they were part of a gang-related group. The mayor (Keisha Lance Bottoms at that time) did little to discourage this criminal enterprise, which she considered "entrepreneurial".
Years ago a friend told me of an encounter with a panhandler in Berkley California I believe.
A man walked up and asked him for $1. My friend told him he would not give him a dollar but would buy him a meal. The man refused and said he just wanted $1. This went back and forth a couple times and finally the panhandler said come with me. My friend curious and not feeling threatened by the situation decided to follow.
The panhandler led him off the main road, up a decent side road to a decent looking set of apartments. They walked up to a unit and the panhandler pulled out a set of keys and opened up a unit and walked in, inviting my friend in. Still not feeling threatened, my friend followed. He went into the apartment which was nice but not over the top. It was furnished adequately and clean. The panhandler walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a beer and offered my friend one. My friend accepted and the two sat down and visited.
The panhandler explained that he had been in finance in the past but had got very burnt out. He had quit his job and decided to try the panhandling gig. He had set a personal limit of asking each person for $1 and it was adequate to pay his rent, buy groceries and take care of his needs comfortably but modestly. I cannot remember if he had a car or not but he was largely invisible to society and he liked that so if I recall correctly he had no drivers license.
My friend was pretty surprised and amused. He enjoyed the beer and they parted ways.
I think most people on the street are living far worse than this panhandler, but I think that many are burned out and have simply decided to check out of normal society. Most today are drug addicts as well IMO and by any numbers that are collected. But largely it comes down to people not wanting to put up with the strain of "normal" life.
That's a pretty funny story! Interesting and very entertaining account. I think you are right--it's a mix of a minority like the one you described and a lot of people who are otherwise opting out or unemployable due to drug addiction, lazy habits, or mental illness.
Several years ago, a friend of mine would turn at Colfax and Colorado Blvd. on his way home from work.
Every day, the same sign flyer would be on the median. One day my friend happened to arrive as the guy was walking away and getting in his car, a late model Cadillac. On a subsequent day, my friend asked him if the Cadillac was his and he admitted that it was, He said that flying a sign paid better than anything he'd ever done with his degree.
Yes, I was going to include a similar detail in this account. There are a few people who operate in this area, and I have read that one was seen getting into a BMW parked around the corner. I've seen homeless-looking men arrive at a different corner in a taxi before. They rarely want for food--a couple are obese-- and leave behind all sorts of trash, bikes or scooters by the interstate ramp.
The short time I lived in California a couple decades ago, there was a regular whose sign said, "I'll be honest, I want beer."
I live in metropolitan Detroit. Driving to midtown one summer afternoon, I was stopped at a traffic light at the end of the off-ramp. A white male in his mid-30s, casually dressed but not in tatters, was sitting to my left on a milk crate holding a sign "NOT GONNA LIE. I WANT BEER." I slipped him a couple of bucks.
At least he's honest. I can appreciate that.
This story highlights to me why psychologists should be mostly ignored and the concept of "shame" brought back into society.
With all the jobs available today, these people are nothing but shameless grifters, or possibly, mentally deficient souls.
Sorry to say, if they're white, and from your descriptions I'm assuming they are, there are all sorts of "hoops" to jump through to get even a McDonald's job: i.e., high school grad, can they fill out an application, police records, drug testing, etc. If they were black, no such requirements would apply. That's what makes panhandling easier and more lucrative financially, especially when you figure in the government taking at least a third of your income in various taxes if you're single. Just sayin'.
It’s a little more complicated.
Times have changed. In Chicago the C & NW station collects all the trains from the Northern and Western suburbs, mostly wealthy. The 'blind man' was a fixture for years - neat and clean with an open briefcase and dark glasses. Seemed like everyone dropped things in his case and he always politely said thank you. Late one night I caught the last train home. Just before departure the blind man took off his glasses, folded up his briefcase, and took the train.
Over the years I have been hustled, and given more than I should to women because I feel sorry for them and I know what it is to be a young woman with no one in the world. But now it is a different story. In Chicago the infamous 'squeegie men' are back, but this time there is no squeegie -- they surround the car and if you don't give something look out. Things have gotten rough.
Next time, park your car and actually go have a long conversation with some of these people and you will have an opportunity to learn a lot more about who they are and how they got there. Or you can watch on YouTube soft white underbelly to get a bit more insight. It’s nice that you’re taking an interest, but what you’ve written is quite superficial and shallow. Next time do a bit more research and the results might be a bit more compelling.
Thanks, Ken. I imagine there are some colorful stories, indeed. As for the shallow writing, it's worth noting that I have about 2 whole hours per week to write due to my schedule as a mom, counselor, housekeeper, laundry maid, driver, sports travel assistant, cook, dog walker, wedding planner and dorm room designer. If only I had more time for writing and even investigating more deeply, but for now, I am forced to cram it in around my other responsibilities.
I don't think it was shallow at all. I just returned from a visit to Maryland, and in various areas around Baltimore there are what they call the squeegee kids, kids who'll wash your windshield at a light for money. They are all black. On other median strips, there are white people with their cardboard signs, some women and some men. You can't help all of them, but you try to help some. And yes, it's entirely possible that at some point, you'll be scammed. But I let God take care of the scammers and help these others as best I can.
We had a similar thing here in Atlanta at the same intersection as well as a few other spots in the city. They were called "water boys" and became violent, threatening, and frightening. I always kept my window up, knowing they were part of a gang-related group. The mayor (Keisha Lance Bottoms at that time) did little to discourage this criminal enterprise, which she considered "entrepreneurial".