Panhandlers & Pigeonholes
Things have been so bland and almost predictable lately that I'm noticing that I'm pigeonholing people off of first impressions a lot more so than usual:
- SUV on 360? Trophy wife / soccer mom who's doing some combination of talking on the phone, drinking her 64oz Coke, and doing her makeup
- Guy who thinks people who play fantasy football are losers? Some dork who either doesn't fully appreciate sports or just flat out can't play any sport.
- Panhandler at major intersections with a sign? Just some homeless person who could very well be scamming people like the guy on 2222 and 360 who selectively shakes from his Alzheimer's. (My manager followed him one day. Apparently rich people feeling guilty have given him enough to get a brand new truck with a freezer in the back.)
On my way back from basketball tonight, I was sitting at a red light on IH-35 and Airport when I heard this panhandler standing on the median call out, "HEY!"
I looked over and shook my head -- I don't hand out money to people on the street. I went back to waiting for the light to turn green.
"HEY!" he called out again. He put his sign down and started tugging at the corners of his mouth.
I smiled back. Apparently that's all he wanted.
Almost.
"Pray that I'll get a job!"
That was a little refreshing.
