I'm not sure "homeless" is an appropriate term. I'll just use it hoping that it is.. I'm in Germany right now and was walking down the street and something strange/irritating happened. This homeless guy was holding out a cup for people to drop change, so as I was walking by I quickly reached into my pocket, grabbed the first coin and dropped it in there. The guy screams/signals for me to come back. I don't speak German but he asked me to hold out my hand while he said something angrily and gave me back the coin. Judging by the mixed reactions of the people around me (some laughter, some anger, some head-shaking) I figured he said one of two things: (1) what the hell am I going to do with 20 cents, or (2) I don't take money from immigrants. Any thoughts what else it could be? Either way, it was very irritating and I can't imagine why he would turn it down, though I felt bad that it was only 20 cents. Anyways I don't usually like to give charity to people on the street like that, I prefer to make sure the money is being put to efficient/good use. I guess I'm worried that they'll just buy drugs or booze with it rather than food. When possible, I ask if they want something and if, for example, it's food, I buy them food. If they specifically want the money I generally just say sorry and walk away. I think that's fair, right?
You should have told him he has a negative attitude. <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2QeCfcGvTic?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2QeCfcGvTic?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
The same thing happened to Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and inspired him to write Aqualung which became one of the greatest classic rock songs ever recorded.
there was one movie which name escapes me where the female lead puts a coin in a what appeared to be homeless man's cup, but it turns out he wasn't homeless and his cup was full of coffee. someone please name that movie!
Homeless people apparently need a good kick in the ass because they forgot the old saying: "Beggars can't be choosers." You'll take any damn thing given to you and, if you don't like it, then tough. You can throw it away or scowl or whatever...but don't call a person back and say take it back unless you want to be b****slapped like the bum that you are. You're the one sticking the damn dirty cup in peoples' faces. It shouldn't be what any one person gives you but, rather, what you end up with at the end of a defined period of time (e.g. a half day, a full day). You want to critique what each individual gives you...then you are being too picky CAUSE YOU ARE A BUM! You want us customers to critique everything wrong with you every time we happen upon you? You won't like what we say. I still like the New Orleans guy me and my family came across the one time walking around. He said "I'll bet you a dollar I can guess where you got those shoes!". My Dad was having fun with it and went "Okay...tell me where I got my shoes.". The homeless guy then goes "You got them shoes on Bourbon Street here in New Orleans! That is where you got those shoes!". We got a good chuckle and this guy got a dollar. He then walked away and it was hilarious watching him walk away because his front pants pockets were full of change that bounced up and down as he walked. Apparently, he was making a killing with his particular brand of begging. You want to be a successful bum...you should come up with something better than sticking a dirty cup out there. You'll make more money if you can apply some flavor to your begging that makes it interesting to your customers.
At 610 and memorial, there was a guy that was holding up a sign one time that said "I'm the original spider-man from the 5th ward." And he was holding up a fake spider. People were takking pictures with him. At least he had a good idea.
Since you're both in Germany, you and ATW should meet up, debate, record the live version, and post it here.
He had to have said "What am I going to do with 20 cents?", which explains why some of the onlookers might have laughed. I doubt any onlookers would have laughed if he said he doesn't accept money from immigrants.
Now see, if you were in Italy, you'd be giving HIM money back, but since you're in Germany, he's giving you YOUR money back.
