tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24372649.post114865781679286711..comments2023-07-04T11:48:15.633-04:00Comments on Positively Catherine Street: Excuse Me, Ladies and Gentlemen ...William S. Repsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00133278490771240664noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24372649.post-1148979182359806912006-05-30T04:53:00.000-04:002006-05-30T04:53:00.000-04:00Since I don't take the train much, I'm out of touc...Since I don't take the train much, I'm out of touch with the 'touch' situation, but here on the street in Brooklyn you still have your neighborhood regulars who walk around at 3 in the morning looking for handouts, plus people scavenging garbage for scrap metal and bottles.<BR/><BR/>It always seems to me that begging is a lot harder way to make money than most jobs.. but maybe some of these guys who seem to do this for a living make a lot more money that I suspect...George Fialahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04962223741910566014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24372649.post-1148667726541477252006-05-26T14:22:00.000-04:002006-05-26T14:22:00.000-04:00That's 5 Fingers Floyd you are talking about! My ...That's 5 Fingers Floyd you are talking about! My girlfriend and he have a great rapport.<BR/><BR/>I very rarely give to panhandlers either. For the basic reason you mention -- after the 9 millionth time, it just becomes annoying. Especially if you are nickel & diming it yourself -- as I've been doing these last few years.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes, though, I'll see someone who really looks like they are on the verge of death -- they really look like they could just fall over right in front of you & die. I usually give to them -- and if I don't, I usually feel bad about it.<BR/><BR/>funny, though, yesterday I gave to a guy -- typical situation -- sturdy enough looking black guy reeking of alcohol - -approached me just as I was about to make a cell phone call on the corner (lower midtown). I knew instantly he wanted money from me, but he took A LOOOOONG time to get to his pitch. Meanwhile, I got shit I gotta do. He's going on and on about how he never does this, but he's in a situation, and I look like a guy who would help a brother out, so on so on. Finally I interrupt, with a smile, "Yes? Yes? And you want??" Somehow, the way it came out of my mouth and he cracked up. And I cracked up. We're both standing there cracking up -- Here he is trying to sweet me with bullshit and I just have no time. I reached into my pocket and emptied out my change -- maybe 80-something cents. "Here -- here you are!" He walks off giggling. "You all right!" <BR/><BR/>Here, in print, it looks like I was an insulting bastard -- I dunno. . .you had to be there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com