"Have any change?"
Those words strike dread in my heart because whether I do or I don't, the answer is always going to be "no." Not because I'm heartless or unsympathetic, but because my beliefs dictate that the answer has to be "no." Giving money is always problematic for me because I can't control what is done with it. So long as the possibility exists that the money would be used to bring harm to themselves or others, I'm not allowed to give it. For all I know they're raising money to buy a gun and shoot up a school or something.
This is not to say that I can't do anything to help. When somebody is hungry and trying to get money for something to eat, I'm happy to buy them food (and have done so on several occasions). It's not a perfect system, but it's one I can live with.
Except today.
I stopped to buy a couple bags of ice at the grocery store and ran across a guy asking for money.
I was about to say "no" until I found out he was wanting the money so he could photocopy his resume... which he had in-hand.
Yeah, helping somebody get a job was worth risking a couple bucks.
Hopefully it was well-spent...
...on cocaine and hookers. Because if I was unemployed, that's what I'd be wanting.
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Of course the correct answer to the question would be ‘Not for you’ or the more superficial ‘Thanks I’m fine.’
You shouldn’t let random people on the street bully you into lying…
I’d put the hookers above the cocaine. For sure. they are much more fun, typically.
We were downtown last Monday walking to the jazz club to get ready for the Monkey show in a huge downpour. While waiting for the mall shuttle, I stood around saying things like:
“Spare tire?”
“Spare ribs?”
“Spare street cred?”
“Spare karma?”
“Spare love?”
My fellow walking eventually told me to shut up.
My wife will take them into a store and buy them food.
Me, I rarely have any change (or any money) on me most of the time.
One of the first times I went to downtown Seattle I went with my sister. We were trying to find neat little stores and ran into this awesome chocolate shop. So we each, of couse, buy two large chunks of fudge. Then we visit an ATM, and lo and behold, a homeless guy comes up begging for money. No, no, no money. He goes, “But I’m hungry if you give me money I will eat in front of you.” My sister says, “Well, how about this?” and hands him her large chunk of fudge.
He looked so confused and ungrateful. The way he held the fudge made it seem like he was gonna throw it on the ground.
As sad as that was, it was really kinda funny 😀
This was a nice thing to do–I work with “job seekers” and sometimes it is stuff like this that gives people a little boost as they are try to find work. Of course, a hooker/cocaine could also provide a boost….anyway, it was nice that you did that.
I really enjoy your blog (I don’t have one), and was convinced that you were in the last epi of “Pushing Daisies” based on your picture. And thought, wow, he IS busy.
Thanks for the great blog Mr. Arquette
Amy in Ithaca, NY
I rarely give change either, but might have been swayed by that one.
Dave, only you can take me from reading your entry thinking, “wow… what a great guy! Of course, he’d probably blow it off if I *said* that to him, because he’s just doing what’s right in his mind and it’s not a big deal. Which just further reiterates the point that he is. I wish more people were like him – tolerant, honest, caring, compassionate… the world would be such a better place!”
To…
“HEHEHEHEH-HAHAHAHAHA-HEHEHHEHE, LOLLOLOL”
All in about .36 seconds.
I have no problem saying “No.”
In this economy, the thought of hookers and cocaine is the only thing that keeps me going.
I’m kinda odd. I don’t give any money to anyone who asks for it. But show me someone playing a guitar with their cap on the floor and I’m digging for change. Hmm.
I occasionally hand out coins. But, here in this country north of the border, a welfare state- I don’t understand why people need to beg.
I won’t give handouts either. Work for it, is my motto. Play a guitar, dance for me, something. ..
HEY I work hard for MY money! I’m not gonna give up my spare change to anybody who made bad life choices. That spare change has at times amounted to the ONLY money I have and has bought me a gallon of milk for my kids.
Helping someone get their next line of coke can help them be awake for a job interview. At least that’s how I look at it.