Athena Walker)
USA
Probably a different take than most people’s, but panhandling.
I don’t mean homeless people panhandling, I mean young healthy people that will sit on the side of the road, listening to their iPhone, completely clean, new clothing, new backpack, absolutely nothing about them that says they have seen a hard day in their lives, and the fact is a number of them haven’t.
There is a growing trend of young people that would prefer to not get jobs, but instead panhandle to make money. They hang out with friends, they get Starbucks, they generally do what they would be doing at home, but people are giving them money to keep doing it. It’s asinine, and the height of laziness. There is nothing wrong with them,, and they could decide to get a job, but won’t. Panhandling is easier. I have even had the pleasure of seeing a group of them hanging around outside a fast food place, eating the food from said place, and within fifteen feet of a help wanted sign. Ridiculous.
**Edit: **There are a lot of people that assume I am being unfair to people. So I will add a story that is what made me start thinking about people asking for money in the first place, and what about it to me is irritating.
My significant other saw a man that looked every bit homeless who panhandled outside a gas station. One day speaking to the attendant he told my SO,
Never give that guy money.
Why? Asked my SO.
Come back at 6:30 and you’ll see.
So, intrigued my SO did.
Low and behold what did he see? The same guy disappear into the gas station washroom, only to come out fifteen minutes or so later, cleaned up and dressed in a suit. He put all his homeless gear into the trunk of a brand new Porsche, and drove away. It was my SO that taught me, never trust what you see. Always pay attention to the details. It’s paid off handsomely.