Thursday, June 30, 2016

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

Yesterday, as I was leaving a training class I took at the Apple store, a homeless man approached me with a handful of coins and asked if I could give him change.  With just a little more money, he claimed, he could go buy his lunch.  Because I had my hands full with my computer and a fresh bottle of water, and my purse is actually a backpack strapped on my back,I didn't want to rummage around for money.  So instead, I offered him my unopened bottle of water.  Because really, what's a hotter commodity during an afternoon, outside, in the summer heat, in Dallas than a nice cold bottle of water?

But this guy was not interested in my water-- "No, I don't want your water.  I want some money so I can buy my lunch."

And I said, "Are you sure?  You don't want this fresh bottle of water?"

He sort of rolled his eyes at me and turned around to find a different person to ask.  But then he turned his head back around at me and yelled something... I'm not sure what, but I know he sounded really annoyed with me.  Me and my stupid water.

I was honestly a little put off.  I tried to be helpful.  And he was just rude and unappreciative.  Oh well- Whatever, Man.  Hopefully you were able to round up enough cash for a happy meal.

A little later that day, I was downtown in an area I'm familiar with.  I was having trouble finding a place to park, and I was running late to where I was going.  After circling the block twice, I found a parking meter, so I pulled into the spot.

I put all the coins I had in the meter.  But it only gave me something like 36 minutes on the meter, which I knew wasn't enough time.  So I asked a woman nearby if she had change for a dollar.  "No.  I don't have any- sorry."

I asked another man I saw.  He gave me the same quick answer.

I asked two more men, and they both said they didn't have any change.  One recommended I ask someone at the hotel down the street.

And it occurred to me that these people might think I'm homeless and panhandling for money.  And I wondered, "Is this my karmic punishment for not giving that man earlier today the money he asked for?"

No one offered me a water, and if they had, I would have so gladly accepted it.  It's hot out there, people! But fortunately, the hotel was able to give me my change.  But it was a hassle, and it was frustrating. I'm pretty sure, that on this point, me and the homeless man could agree.

2 comments:

Valerie said...

Hey, at least you tried to help. This happened to me once--a guy asked for some food as I was going in to the grocery store. I got him some fruit and crackers and a couple of those tuna packets. When I came out, he was asking another lady for food too. When I gave him what I had purchased, instead of saying thank you, he said he meant something like a rotisserie chicken. Well excuse me! I figure if you're hungry, you're hungry and you'll eat whatever you can, but I guess not. He took it anyway and then meekly said thanks. It was disappointing and frustrating.

The other day, I was in the car and a guy was on the median strip with a sign saying he was looking for a little help. The lady in front of me rolled down her window and handed him a bottle of water. I thought that was a great idea and the gentleman gladly accepted it. It was hot here too, so I'm sure he needed that water. I was thinking I might get water to keep in the car for such situations, but we'll see.

Kerri said...

yes- i thought the idea of the water was a good idea, but apparently my homeless man didn't agree. hope you have better luck.
how funny that your guy wanted rotisserie! :) i guess when you have a craving for something specific, and you can't have it, it can make you pretty cranky.