Have a Nice Day
At lunch time I did the somewhat usual, meaning I was heading to Tim’s to pick up a coffee. Since my boss hadn’t eaten, she also asked me to pick up a bagel and cream cheese for her.
Well I got there and there were the usual array of beggars, rubbies, homeless, amphetamine deprived, hanging out begging for money. I ignored them like I usually do.
But there was the skinny old black guy just sitting there not asking for anything, so when I went inside, I decided I’d buy him a donut.
I came out and passed him the bag with the donut. He took it and started getting it out to eat. He said:
Me: Here.
SOBG: No coffee? I wanted a coffee.
Me: (In shock that he was now making demands and that my favour wasn’t good enough) Did you want a donut?
SOBG: (Already eating the donut) Ya.
Me: You’re welcome.
Unfrickingbelievable.
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Comments
What a donut with no coffee? Unthinkable! That was nice of you to buy him a donut, and rude of him not to say thank you. It would be interesting to hear his story. Has he been so beaten down, that he can only sit & wish for things, and express disappointment that only part of his wish came true? Has he been homeless a long time, and gotten spoiled by people who buy him coffee & a donut, so that he expected both? Is he one of the mentally ill homeless? Or was he under the influence of something, in a stupor, unaware, forgetting common courtesy & manners? Or just rude & ignornant.
Hi Mary, nice to meet you. I’m thinking that it’s a matter of him being spoiled – people providing whatever he wanted. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had expected me to run back in to get him his coffee and to apologize for not bringing it right away.
Perhaps I should just get to know what all the homeless people drink (double double, black with 1 sugar) so I could be prepared for when I’m feeling generous.
It’s funny where you find generosity. I was in a coffee shop (not Tim’s) the other day and the guy ahead of me was ordering this apple crumble stuff which looked good. I asked him if it was good and he said it was, and I said maybe one day when I hadn’t already had lunch, I’d try it. He then offered me a bite of his (to which I declined, but it was a very generous offer).
I can’t help but say thank you to people for everything. So much is offered and so much is given that it makes me appreciate just how generous people are.
This is the same situation. No one has to buy a donut for anyone (or a coffee). A thanks wasn’t even expected – until the demand for coffee came about. That put a whole new spin on things. Then I wanted a thank you.
Isn’t it weird the role that external events cause upon the psyche.
When people are desperate they can be careless with words, and I for one can’t imagine what it would be like to be homeless.
It was a kind act to buy the doughnut, but why are there homeless people like that on your streets? Who does provide the care for the vulnerable?
*jaw hits desk*
Next he’ll probably try to sue you for breaking the Human Rights Donut Clause: “All donuts to be accompanied by coffee”.
Some people just expect handouts when they’ve been receiving them for so long.
idiotonastick
Minna
Dave Barker
I used Moneris for over two years. I recently terminated due to a merchant compliance requiremen t – Moneris began...
Maria
just another
Female, taken, fire, Sagittarius, Monkey, Toronto, two kids, one grandson, IT.
55
is the new 30. I want the world to close their mouths when they’re eating or chewing gum. If they don’t, I want to elbow them in the face.
I guess whoever said “Beggers can’t be chosers” never met anyone like him