When did I see you?

Hello ladies and gentlemen. I'm just looking for something to eat. I know this isn't your problem. I know you didn't do anything to make this happen. Can you help me get something to eat. If you don't have food, can you give me a dollar, a quarter, a nickel, a penny? Once again, I know this isn't your problem. 

...

You guys have a blessed day.

**

I was on the subway in NYC this weekend - which for me was a thrilling adventure away from my day to day in the Ann Arbor area. Several people entered subway cars that I was on, with a similar pitch, stressing each time that they knew it wasn't the passengers-turned-audience's fault.

Of course everyone sat stony-faced, careful not to glance in the man's direction. Even I found myself echoing this behavior, afraid to look at the man. I had a dollar that I certainly could have given each of the men who asked. But instead I joined the crowd, forcing myself to avoid inspecting the beggar. 

I'm not sure what else to say. I sometimes get myself in dumb situations by being overly friendly, and then sometimes I don't treat people like people.

:ashamed: