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Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Cardboard Signs

She held a cardboard sign in her hands and looked at me expectantly. Her brother stood nearby, wrung his hands and gave me the look of desperation, saying “Please!”

I slowed the car and reached for my change. The brother, 11 or 12 years old, jumped up and down with joy. The girl put down her sign with its handdrawn advertisement — KOOL-AID 50ยข — and reached inside the cooler.

“What kind of Kool-Aid is it?” I asked.

“Watermelon kiwi!” the sister said as she handed me a styrofoam cup through my passenger-side window.

I drove away with the first smile I had all day.

But why is it that giving 50 cents to two young kids holding a cardboard sign and standing on the corner is so much easier than giving 50 cents to the homeless man on the corner with his own cardboard sign? Well, I know why. But is it right?

Posted by Aaron on June 28, 2005 7:22 PM

Comments:

When I have loose dollars, I give them to homeless sometimes if they're lucky enough to next to me at the stoplight. But I do have a policy of refusing money to anyone who tries to tell me some lame fucking story. I just have no patience for that. And then there are some that will tell you two dollars isn't enough. No more soup for them.

jon
June 28, 2005 9:18 PM

A few weeks ago, I saw two alternative-looking people in their 20's and their dog on the corner of Stevens and 35th. Their sign said:

'Parents killed by ninjas. Need money for kung-fu lessons.'

It made me think about how anyone, at any time, can just go stand on a corner with a sign and beg. I gave them some credit for creativity tho.

Smitty
June 29, 2005 7:30 AM

Oh man, I see this every day in San Francisco, especially in my neighborhood, Haight-Ashbury. There are lots of 20-something "kids" who think the hippie spirit is still alive and well and hold up signs like "Spare Change for Marijuana Fun." Others dispense with the signs and just shout out, "Spare change for cheap whiskey?" Even more "sell" jokes. Of course, a few use cute puppies for sympathy. There's a guy in the Castro who hangs out near the bars and mockingly hits on the guys while begging for money. Never a dull moment.

Is it right, Aaron asks. I usually withhold money as a rule, but will give it to train station musicians on occasion. Personally, I'd think it's a better use of the money to save that change and make a donation to a group who help the homeless with housing or job skills.

Dunner
June 29, 2005 8:33 AM

I thought you WERE talking about homeless to begin with. I used to give money to these folks until I was being approached several times a day - it just became overwhelming. Then I realized that most of these folks don't ask for money to buy food or a night at the Salvation Army. They're begging for money to buy booze or crack.

SparklesMpls
June 29, 2005 9:12 AM

Dunner, that's a great point. By the way, there's a movie everyone should see called "First, Last, and Deposit" about a homeless mother and daughter living in a car after she gets evicted and her husband left. It's amazing--it might be only on video.

jon d
June 29, 2005 10:14 AM

If I were homeless, I'd want booze and crack, too. My friend gave a 20 to a guy with a sign that said "fuck it, I need a beer."

sam
June 29, 2005 5:10 PM

Hey! I added your website to my blog roll! I hope you don't mind! My website is www.joshtippy.com

Thanks!

Josh
June 29, 2005 5:28 PM