This morning I did not wake up in a very good mood. I think the heat has a lot to do with it. I ended up running late this morning. Not good this seeing as I had a ton of work left to do from yesterday.
I left my house at 7:45 a.m. and I am supposed to be at work at 8:00 a.m. Well I got here at about 8:15. My excuse, because I needed, no, wanted to feed my caffeine habit and get an ice coffee.
So I stopped for my usual morning ice coffee and as I am leaving there is a guy outside with a gas can. (I stopped at 7-11, there is a gas station at this location) He looks like he hasn’t had a shower and not very kept up. He sees the cash in my hand and waves his gas can at me and asks “Could you spare some money?”
Ummmm…..what ever happened to can you spare some change? I guess I should not have expected anything less, seeing as I did have cash in my hand.
“No, sorry.” I replied as I looked at the $2.25 in my hand. So he gives me a little glare and walks back to where he was leaning up against the dumpster. I get in my car, start it and put my seatbelt on. Now I have another bad habit and that is smoking. So I grab a cigarette, light it and look up. I swear this guy must have been grillin me because then he signals for one of my cigarettes. Give me a break pal, shook my head no, rolled my eyes and tried to drive away. Well I was so perturbed that I put my car in drive when I should have been reverse. I thank god I didn’t step on the gas, I just rolled forward and hit the curb in front of my car. If I had hit the gas I would have ran his ass over!!
Now, I have no problem with charity. We make enough money to live and donate to a worthy cause. Usually I make donations to the school my son goes to. I help sponsor trips for students that maybe less fortunate. I think that is a pretty good cause!
So I really do not feel the need to give money to someone who doesn’t work. If they do, they have a such a bad habit that it requires them to go out and hang around a gas station begging for money to fuel that addiction or the need to eat. I was born at night but it certainly was not last night. I know that gas can was a cover up. Well, I didn’t know, but I assumed especially after he didn’t ask anyone else going into the store or the people coming out. I think he thought I was an easy target because I already had the money in my hand. Shame on me, next time I will put the money away before I leave the store..
You have my vote. I'd have done the same thing too. Get a job for god's sake!
ReplyDeleteHa!! I blogged on something very similar once. I had a tire that was almost flat, and I was in a crap mood anyway. I pulled into a gas station, and was struggling with the air thingy, letting air OUT of the tire, and getting mad. I wondered wtf happened to chivalry. Just then, a guy walked up to me. I was convinced he was going to help me out since I was so obviously having a hard time. Instead he hits me up for cash for beer. I lost it and started screaming at him to get his sh** together and support his family, and blah blah blah. He was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time...
ReplyDeleteI totally hate that kind of situation, and I am someone who gives to Heifer International and generally worries about poverty. I guess I have my limits though.
Yeah, I have no sympathy for people who choose not to function as a normal part of society.
ReplyDeleteDiamond,
ReplyDeleteI have too much of a good heart. One day I was at Dunkin Donuts and this "homeless" man says: 'Cuse me maam, but do you have a dollar. I need to get some food? I said "No, I don't," I didn't because I only had a debit card. So I went in and bought him a one dollar sandwich. I brought it back out to give it to him. He goes: You don't have a dollar? I said no, but you said you were hungry so here's a sandwich. I took it, then tossed it right in the garbage can! Thank god I was late for work, or I woulda did something horrible to him :o) Goes to show, the world has changed.