Bum at the Intersection
A few months ago I didn’t bring a lunch or bring cash to get food at the cafeteria at my workplace, so I drove off the campus for lunch. Weaving in and out of traffic of old businessmen, I headed toward the mall that was nearby. At the last intersection I stopped at a red light. Across on the sidewalk was a friendly bum who waved at people and held a sign that said, “So broke it hurts”. I sympathized with the man, but alas, I had no change. The light turned green and I went into the parking lot of the mall.
About once a week I’d hit up the mall for lunch. It was a nice change of scenery; and fun to people watch. The bum was on that corner every time I drove by; a smile on his face, waving and throwing peace signs at people. I noted to myself that he never really looked that dirty. Strange, but I shrugged it off.
It’s been months later and today I drove past the intersection and there he was again; with that stupid sign, that idiotic grin, and that pseudo friendly waves and peace signs. Some poor sap pulled over and gave the man some money.
It’s infuriating that this asshole is taking advantage of people’s goodwill to sustain himself. He’s so broke it hurts. He’s so broke he can’t make any effort to improve his situation. Nah, he’ll just stand on that corner everyday and wave at cars passing by and give that imbecilic grin. He’s so broke that he has a change of clothes everyday and stays pretty clean.
He’s far from malnourished. I’m sure the only thing that hurts is his feet from standing all day taking money from suckers. Every time I pass by, I’m very tempted to flip him off. I’m above that though. I’ll just tell him that if he’s gonna work the corner, he should go all the way and enter prostitution. I’m sure that there’s a fetish for old, “homeless” men. Until then, I’ll just passive-aggressively glare at him.
My goodness.
“Bums” wearing white pants. Almost ran the girl over…”Homeless and broke. Anything will help”. Long hair down to her waist. Brushed. Shiny. Man in his Civic hands her a few dollars as he waits to turn left. He should go to Hell as well.
I creeped again.
I know what you mean, though. Nine times out of ten they’re not even homeless. I’m glad you didn’t do anything for him.
Usually they’re just people who are too lazy to get a job, and steal their clothes from the back of thrift stores. (If they have drop offs in America)
It infuriates me too. Even if he was seriously homeless, there are things the government will do to help.
Even if it’s barely anything, there is something they can do. There are homeless shelters. There are welfare services.
Such a pity that these people actually take advantage of others. There’s one here, too, which in fact has actually gotten a taxi driver to take him to his apartment one city away.
Usually they’re just morons who don’t want to get a job, or in some cases, they have jobs, but will never admit it. They’re just looking for sympathy and extra change.
Pitiful.
I once saw a dude standing on the corner with a sign and had ear buds on. As i drove by i noticed that he looked down into his pocket to change the song that was playing on his Ipod, seriously!? I hate people who do that shit, there is one intersection on my way to work that during the weekends will have “bums” posted on each median of the four streets.
Though a bit of justice, a lady was standing on the median with a sign. A cop drove by and shouted on his speaker “Get off the median” the lady ignored him, cop went on “Get off the median or you’ll be put into custody for violating safety traffic laws”. Then she got up and ‘limped’ away.