No, I Will NOT Buy You a Snack!

One of the most wonderful things about working in downtown Portland is I occasionally get to see and meet the local wildlife. Wildlife of course meaning the people that live downtown in dwellings made out of cardboard, sleeping bags, or newspaper. They are generally a little unkempt, and of course, they also smell. They are often missing teeth, and can be found rummaging through trash cans looking for aluminum cans, or food. These beasts often come in two forms.

The first form is often found sitting or standing in high traffic areas. They sometimes will speak to you as you walk past them, but normally they seem to have a sign made out of cardboard. The term "God Bless" seems to be a favorite of theirs. They are usually holding a styrofoam cup that you are supposed to drop change in. Normally, they are very grateful when you do give them something.

The other kind are more annoying than pidgeons. They are the ones that will approach you and ask you for money or cigarettes. The people asking for cigarettes are normally more polite to me, since I just tell them I do not smoke, which is the truth. The ones asking for money can be a little different. I generally don't even look them in the eye and just give them a simple no for an answer. Occasionally, they do persist, or say the "F-word(fuck)" as I walk past them, especially if I am walking out of a store. I will say that most of them seem like they are not right in the head.

Now, I am sympathetic, and will, on occasion, give them some change if I can, as long as they are polite.

So today, at lunch, I am walking up to one of the many Asian-run local convenience stores to grab a 1 liter bottle of Mountain Dew. As I am about to walk into the store, a voice stops me in my tracks and I turn to look at the person. A woman, obviously as high as a fucking kite.

Her: "Excuse me, but could you give me a few dollars?"

Me: "No"

Her: "How about a snack?"

Me(Annoyed): "NO"

Her: "How about a cup of coffee?"

Me(turning and going into the store): "NO!"

She was gone when I came back out. Luckily the building was just around the corner and I did not have to run into her again.

How many times do I have to fucking say NO??!!?? If I could afford to be charitable, which I can't right now, I would be sending money to tsunami victims, not crackwhores. ARGH!!