As it is such a high traffic area, I've noticed that it's become a popular place for panhandlers to set up shop. As far as I've seen, the panhandlers don't get aggressive or obstruct the flow of traffic. They just stand near the off-ramps holding their cardboard signs.
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So, I was minding my own business and went on by one such panhandler. We smiled our hellos and I continued on when I heard him say, "...mumble mumble mumble..to spare?"
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I stopped and turned to him, "Sorry... what?"
To which he replied, "Ya got any weed to spare?" and brought his fingers up to his lips to mimic toking on a joint.
"Ah... no, sorry" I answered, "Good luck" and a wave good-bye.
So as I was pedaling on home, I got to thinking. He's standing there asking motorists for money, but he didn't ask me for money. He just asked me for pot.
Is it because I was on a bicycle?
Is it because I have a tattoo?
Is it because I ride a bicycle and have a tattoo?
Is it none of the above and I just look like a pothead?
Seriously, you guys would tell me if I looked like a pothead, wouldn't you?
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Well if a tattoo makes you fit the criteria, apparently I'm a pothead right along with you.
ReplyDeleteOMG, the "checks no longer accepted" cracked me up!
I know, right? Can't be too careful!
DeleteI had a homeless dude offer me a fish once, as he tried to climb on the back of my motorcycle. "Dude, gimme a ride -- c'mon, I'll give you my fish!''
ReplyDeleteI was like all, "Do I LOOK like I need a FISH??"
Anyway, the point is whether you looked like a pothead (or I looked like a fish needer) is in the eyes of the beholders.
A FISH?!? What the...?
DeleteWell, maybe he was an M.D., and you were looking a little low on the omega-3s and he didn't want you having a heart attack while driving him to wherever. Probably not though.
Dude. Now that you mention it, a tattooed, bike lady coming from a college campus might just give off that stoner look, right Dude? It may not be as bad as Guano's story but I've had a homeless guy climb in the back of my truck as I was stopped at a light looking for a ride (kinda freaked me out at the time).
ReplyDeleteThe "checks no longer accepted" sign is funny. Your credit must really suck if you get rejected by a street person.
Hmmm, now that you mention it...
DeleteI assume the homeless guy eventually got OUT of the back of the truck?? That would freak me out too, especially at night. A friend and I once gave a hitch hiker a ride as long as he was willing to ride in the bed of the truck. It was carrying a load of manure at the time, but the guy didn't seem to care.
You certainly don't look like the potheads that I run into. Then again, I've run into a few potheads who I never would have guessed were potheads. Maybe that's what he was counting on.
ReplyDeleteSince we're all speaking about the homeless, I had a homeless guy assume I was running into his open arms while I was out for an early morning run. It was quite funny actually.
Ha! I bet that was a sight.
DeleteSpeaking of which, I came upon a homeless guy a few early morning runs ago. He was hunched near a gutter with a blanket on his shoulders. Scared the crap outta me.
I once heard a woman call in to a radio show and admit that she and her husband (both gainfully employed) would take turns taking their kids out, one at a time, to stand on busy street corners or exit ramps and try to collect money from motorists. She said it created a healthy competition among the kids. She said they did it to collect enough money to take a three-week road trip in their motor home each summer. She said they were doing a good thing. They were helping donors feel good about sharing their money.
ReplyDeleteEver since, I can't look at those people on the street corners without a bit of skepticism. I saw one the last couple of days. Made me think that if I'm not going to toss him some cash while waiting for the light to turn green, maybe I should decide to donate to some legit charity each time I see someone like him.
As for you looking like a pothead? Nah!
That's exactly why I don't give to panhandlers - for many, it's their "profession", and there are plenty of legitimate charities around.
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