My job requires me to visit some exceptionally sketchy parts of Downtown Dallas and I am always thankful to be alive when I leave. I'm really not kidding. I think a raise is in order because I do risk my life for the job ;). Last year, Justin gave me a mini bottle of mace (in a pink camouflage case, I might add) to carry on my key chain and though I initially laughed...that pepper in a can goes with me everywhere and you better believe my finger is on the trigger. (So, if you run into me in D-town, you probably want to approach me very slowly, with caution).
So far, I have not had to utilize my pink mace...and I really hope that I will not ever be in a situation where I will have to. However, at the rate at which I am getting panhandled on the job, it might be just around the corner. Case in point:
This past week, I was in one of the aforementioned sketchy areas of Dallas and as I approached my car leaving the hospital I saw a man crossing the street headed my way. He had the panhandling 'look' in his eye so I quickly jumped into my car and locked the doors. Apparently, I was not fast enough because before I could pull away he was knocking on my drivers side window. EEEEEK. I did not roll it down, so he began yelling to me through the glass. He proceeded to tell me how he was NOT a bum, was just released from the hospital and pulled out his discharge papers and medicine bottles to show me. He was talking 100mph and told me that he was living in an apartment down the street, just spent all of his money on his medication and needed $4.00 to pay his rent or else he was going to be evicted and had nowhere to go. He said it was urgent. I thought this was all very deja-vu as I had been panhandled about three weeks prior with the SAME exact story. He kept on and on and on about how he was totally not a bum and just needed $4.00 when it HIT me that this was the SAME dude that gave me the SAME spill three weeks prior. Hmm.
I am usually very sensitive to those in need and like to help out where I can - especially around the Holidays. We're talkin...I can't pass the Salvation Army bell-ringer on the way out of the store without giving money even if I gave it on the way in. But this guy....unfortunately, overused his rehearsed story and I just could not find it in me to give him the $4.
*Panhandling tip #1: If you're going to ask for money and use an emotional, time-sensitive story...switch it up from time to time. You never know when you are going to ask the same girl for money twice.
My stories similar to this could go on but I wanted to highlight this particular, similar situation before I depart from blogging for a couple of days. I really feel this is necessary to share for both the innocent bystander to hear as well as those panhandlers reading my blog who could use a tip or two.
I was working in another slim shady area and had pulled over to a Walgreens to pick up a prescription. As I was getting out of my car, a woman approached me with a piece of paper with a handwritten note on it. I almost cried as I read her scribbled writing stating that she was from India, could not speak English and her baby had cancer. In broken English, the note was asking if I could help her with some money for diapers or formula for her baby as all of her money had gone towards cancer treatments. She paired this note with the most pitiful eyes and little moan you had ever heard in your life. So, what am I going to do, tell her no?? Since I did not have any cash, I motioned for her to follow me inside of Walgreens and we headed to the baby aisle.
Needing to pick up my medicine, I told her to pick out some diapers and I would be back in a minute. This is where the story simply blows my mind. I was gone for a mere five minutes and when I returned to the baby aisle, this woman had found herself a cart and had it filled to the BRIM with diapers, formula, bottles, wipes and toys. I kid you not...my jaw just dropped and I could not believe she was still pulling things off the shelves. The items she had chosen were completely random and had no consistency with her story....i.e. diapers for newborn premies and diapers for toddlers. What was the woman trying to do? Obviously wipe out my paycheck for the week. Diapers are $$!
Slightly frustrated at her extreme perception of my generosity, I told her that I could not purchase all of the items in her cart but would buy her one package of diapers. THIS, my friends, did not go over well. She looked at me with utter disdain and shock and began huffing and puffing as she pulled her note out to show me again. I again told her, no, and that I would only purchase one package. She was ticked and began putting things back on the shelves.
Luckily, as a Walgreens associate discretely told me that it was a scam and several women had been pulling this stunt all week. As much as I still hated to say no, I told her I could not help her today and she was one unhappy lady.
A few weeks later, I had another woman pull the exact same baby/cancer scam on me in a different location. Unbelievable! Trying to appeal to my emotions using an extremely sad situation such as a baby having cancer is just totally wrong. I hate that this has happened but these people are really making me extremely skeptical about giving money to anyone on the street, ever!
Panhandling tip #2: If someone offers to buy you diapers or baby items in a store, you better just take what you can get and not put everything necessary for your "child's" entire growth development from 0-10yrs in the basket....let's don't get too greedy, here.
So, the moral of the story: keep on generously giving to the red buckets by entrances, food banks, your Church, donation centers, angel trees and other established organizations/individuals that have true needs. Steer clear of unoriginal, rehearsed, repeat stories and compulsive pharmacy shoppers that are just trying to earn an easy chunk of change or basket full of baby supplies. :)
Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope you have a blessed time with family and friends and truly celebrate Jesus and his goodness to us. Because of that small baby in a manger, we have a Savior and that is a thing to celebrate this weekend...and everyday. Much love!
Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
