Yesterday I went to the city to do some shopping and visit a friend at work in midtown. I was on the subway listening to music sitting down on one of the seats by the doors of the car minding my own business. On the 2nd or 3rd stop in manhattan, a "bum" walked into the car through the door I was sitting next to.

After the train started moving, he promptly took out a cup and since I couldn't hear- I saw him talking/ waving the cup around standing in place. When he finally stopped talking, he stretched the cup out towards my general direction. I just kept listening to music minding my own business. Then out of nowhere he starts waving his free hand in my face and I can see some curse words coming out of his mouth after he saw I wasn't paying him any attention.

I was just like

I didn't respond, I had this temptation to beat his ass down just for kicks- but I didn't want to smell like a bum and get into any unnecessary trouble. The rest of the afternoon I just kept thinking how sad society is becoming, even panhandlers expect to be given cash on their demand

We have had a lot of trouble with squeegee people up here in Toronto in the past. They run up and squeegee your windshield when you are stuck at a red light, then demand money. They HAVE been known to break glass with the squeegee (mirrors, side windows) of people who wont give them anyhting.

Ha! That'd be the perfect reason to install this on your car:

quote Originally posted by nitroheadz28: Yesterday I went to the city to do some shopping and visit a friend at work in midtown. I was on the subway listening to music sitting down on one of the seats by the doors of the car minding my own business. On the 2nd or 3rd stop in manhattan, a "bum" walked into the car through the door I was sitting next to. After the train started moving, he promptly took out a cup and since I couldn't hear- I saw him talking/ waving the cup around standing in place. When he finally stopped talking, he stretched the cup out towards my general direction. I just kept listening to music minding my own business. Then out of nowhere he starts waving his free hand in my face and I can see some curse words coming out of his mouth after he saw I wasn't paying him any attention. I was just like I didn't respond, I had this temptation to beat his ass down just for kicks- but I didn't want to smell like a bum and get into any unnecessary trouble. The rest of the afternoon I just kept thinking how sad society is becoming, even panhandlers expect to be given cash on their demand

So, the usually liberal paper here in the DC Metro Area (Washington Post) ran an article on what the top three things that poor children from around the world want based on their exposures, experiences, etc.

Kids from Africa said they wanted Shelter, Education, and Food.
Kids from Asia said they wanted Shelter, Food, and Education (I believe in that order)
Kids from South America said they wanted Shelter, Food, and Education.

Kids from America said they wanted [people to] "give them money", food, and shelter.

The #1 thing that poor kids from America said they wanted was money. How sad is that?

I can tell you that capitalism didn't create this... a welfare society created this.

Well, at least they are asking or begging and aren't stealing. Theives are the largest entitlement group in the nation.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Well, at least they are asking or begging and aren't stealing. Theives are the largest entitlement group in the nation.

Not sure I'd agree to that. I'm sure that reasoning makes up for a good chunk of them.

The other day a friend and I were in a McDonald's just talking shop and a "deaf" guy walks up and gives us one of those cards explaining he's deaf and to please help, etc. We politely waved him off and said no thanks. He left the building in a huff and we watched as he got into a late model SUV and drove off. I told my friend that he should be giving us money.....I'm driving a 24 year old car with 275K miles and he's the one begging for money?!?

Hahaha thats awesome. I haven't come across a beggar that was playing it like that (or at least I haven't had the chance to see what their real lifestyle is).

However its funny cause a few years ago I remember riding the bus to school (MTA public transportation), and the bus driver was talking with a passenger cause apparently one of them did panhandling on the side. I forgot which one, but the guy doing it said he made an average of $120 a day for 4-5hrs of begging on the trains- and that was 5 years ago

EDIT: After reading my post, I decided I was being too sensitive. Bum was an appropriate word for who you ran in to.

Just remember, not all homeless are bums.

[This message has been edited by theBDub (edited 01-18-2012).]

I know, but living in NYC.. I know a bum when I see one.