begging with a twist....
By arkaf61
@arkaf61 (10881)
Canada
January 16, 2009 6:04pm CST
There's a lady at the end of my street. She lives in an YMCA shelter close by, and often sits down at a bench at the end of my street. One bench, one tree, a small patch of grass - or snow now that it's winter - and a lady that lives in the YMCA shelter. Sometimes she asks me for 25cents others for a money for the bus. I don't usually give money. But I will give food or a bus ticket sometimes.
The thing is that each time I give her something she always gives me something back, in the form of ideas, suggestions, tips etc.
It can be something like " keep a bow of apples in your bedroom, it will keep the room smelling nice and will give you good dreams' or " use baking soda instead of abrasive powders to clean your sink or bathtub" or " in a relationship always remember the small things" . Even though these are not that original and certainly not that new, I actually enjoy listening to her. It's like she's begging but at the same time is not, because she feels she is giving something in return.
Have you had contact with someone that at least tries to be original when begging?
5 people like this
9 responses
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
17 Jan 09
That is interesting. I think that is is really nice of her to at least make an attempt to give something back to all those who are willing to help her out a little bit. I have not run into anyone like that in my lifetime. I can only imagine the amount of wisdom that is within her words.
2 people like this
@redhotpogo (4398)
• United States
17 Jan 09
ah that's interesting. Would be much better to have someone like her around then the usual people that get in your face, and demand money, and if you don't have any they talk trash about you.
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I don't know anyone who is doing begging. I do know many people in need during very difficult time. I try to help as much as I can.
I would writhe a book if I were you about her if she wants to talk about her life.
Sounds like very nice lady. You are very good story teller, why not to try....
HUGS
2 people like this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
21 Mar 09
It is always great to have people with wisdom. I have seen lots of people with wisdom giving counseling or advise and telling stories to children. Most of them gets their wisdom through their experiences. There are people who used to travel all over the place for money and gives small small wisdom or jokes or advises in exchange. I think it is great to see such people.
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
17 Jan 09
thats a great one, Ill have to remember that the next time i go begging lol. Naw the beggers here take your money and move on to the next sucker. I do not give money unless I can see a real point to their need (EXAMPLE) I was with my son a few years back, he was about 15. This kid was standing by a bus stop and he looked pretty scared . He sees us and he asks in an almost pleading voice "Please mam, do you have a dollar for the bus, so I can get home?? " I looked at him and looked at my son. I thought if that were my son i would want someone to help him. So, I gave him a dollar for the bus and the kid thanked us and got on the bus and left. So, there are times but few and far between.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
21 Jan 09
Well, that is an interesting begger you have met there.
Here where I am, some beggers are so bold as to ask for a meal. And when you do decide to let them have that meal, the actually sit down and orders extra toppings plus a drink to go with the meal!
Other times, they ask you for money to get a bowl of noodles. When you do decide to give them enough for a bowl of noodles, they actually chide you for being stingy and ask for money to get a side dish to go with the noodles!
At least with the lady you met, she is dishing out random advices for the money she is getting. 
Sort of like a charity deserving another!
Sort of like a charity deserving another! 
@GardenGerty (169449)
• United States
17 Jan 09
I do not run into people begging often. There is a man that makes a circuit, and tells people that he does. He goes to different towns, even different states at different months of the year. He usually has a dog with him.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
17 Jan 09
I bet he will have interesting stories to tell.
Back home there use to be a lot of people begging at one point. THere are less now, or so I am told.
I got used never to give money, but I would offer food if they told me they were hungry. I wouldn't mind going to a cafe and pay for their food.
In here I don't see many people begging, but this specific lady is the exception to the rule :) She's quite an interesting character too.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
17 Jan 09
On one occasion one of them recited a poem she made up. Normally I don't make eye contact and do not talk to people who are living on the fringes, so to speak, but there are some exceptions. I never give money to strangers, though. Actually, I don't carr money. On of the nice things about the way technology is improving our lives is the way we can scan plastic in at various places rather than carrying cash. I especially like that little wand thing that Mobile has that is smaller than my little finger and lives on a keychain and you can use it to buy gas without having to "swipe" anything.
1 person likes this
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
17 Jan 09
I would not consider that begging. I might give her money for the nuggets of wisdom she shares. Cheers!!
1 person likes this
