tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post6259717131755683583..comments2024-02-12T17:59:33.534-06:00Comments on RAZORED ZEN: I haven't eaten in three days.Charles Gramlichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-5794992351683165162009-02-11T18:10:00.000-06:002009-02-11T18:10:00.000-06:00Lisa, that's much the same way I think about it. ...Lisa, that's much the same way I think about it. I wouldn't give to someone I knew was scamming me, but I do like to give folks the benefit of the doubt. Thanks for visiting.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-89704296420319545502009-02-11T13:55:00.000-06:002009-02-11T13:55:00.000-06:00I usually give something to people who ask for it....I usually give something to people who ask for it... I've had friends tell me I'm getting duped, but the way I see it, so what? If I have a few extra bucks and can spare it, what if that person is telling the truth? Then I've helped. If they're lying, that's their problem, not mine. I can sleep at night. Their scam is their problem... they have to live with themselves.<BR/><BR/>Good for you. The world needs more kind souls with big hearts.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02285327851504685807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-65044984615668861642009-02-08T22:33:00.000-06:002009-02-08T22:33:00.000-06:00Barrie, sometimes it breaks your heart. Laughing...Barrie, sometimes it breaks your heart. <BR/><BR/>Laughingwolf, yes, I'm that way myself. I don't like to feel pressured, even by places where I've worked, where they sometimes put pressure on people to give.<BR/><BR/> <BR/>Michelle's Spell, my son's girlfriend recently lost her job. It's already touching those I care about.<BR/><BR/>Barbara martin, thank you. It's so unfortunate when those who we depend on to help actually help themselves first. I'm sure it happens far too often. Those who are pretend beggers aren't the only ones fleecing us.<BR/><BR/>Akelamalu, a million stories out there. Most of which we'll never know. Thanks for coming by.<BR/><BR/>SzélsőFa, yes. Thanks.<BR/><BR/>Merisi, there will always be those who fall through the cracks, no matter how hard we try. But we could do a lot better here in the US for sure.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-79949774384162709082009-02-07T14:00:00.000-06:002009-02-07T14:00:00.000-06:00Charles,social services are generous here, but the...Charles,<BR/>social services are generous here, but there are situations when they cannot reach the most vulnerable. Drug addicts and mentally ill people among them: they cannot be forced to submit themselves to proper care and treatment. The city seems to have a policy (unwritten, probably) that alcoholics and drug addicts will be allowed to gather at a certain underground metro station, Karlsplatz. They rarely beg, but if somebody asks me for money, I offer to buy them food (there's a food court). Looking at this young kids almost breaks my heart. Who knows how they came into such an unfortunate state, helpless addicted and literally left to vegetate until they either die or some miracle happens and they manage to commit themselves into rehab. I am always conscious of the fact that they are somebody's child, sister, brother and that but for the grace of God one's own children will manage to escape such a terrible fate.Merisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16781937797213521146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-11461982969362370122009-02-07T13:57:00.000-06:002009-02-07T13:57:00.000-06:00This is so very true Charles: It’s harder to be bl...This is so very true Charles: <I>It’s harder to be blind when you can put a face on suffering.<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>And your list is thought-provoking.<BR/>I never, ever give when I see/feel the signs of substance on the claimer - be it alcohol or drug or even cigarette !SzélsőFahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11600289147447182465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-39701659882735454972009-02-07T10:11:00.000-06:002009-02-07T10:11:00.000-06:00You have a kind heart m'dear.I too wonder what hap...You have a kind heart m'dear.<BR/><BR/>I too wonder what happened to people that brings them to begging. :(<BR/><BR/>I'm here via David's after reading your intereview. :)Akelamaluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234268568845148285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-57973268941624846872009-02-07T00:23:00.000-06:002009-02-07T00:23:00.000-06:00You are a good man, Charles, no doubt about it.I h...You are a good man, Charles, no doubt about it.<BR/><BR/>I have given charity to those less fortunate on the streets, ones that have that haunted overly lean look to their faces and hands. Once in London at the Charing Cross Railway Station I gave a poor guy a sandwich, an orange juice and some loose change in the bottom of a paper bag to ease his embarrassment, and ended up catching his pneumonia for which I was hospitalized (I'm very susceptible to pneumonia). What appalled me was, there was a doorman for the Charing Cross Hotel waiting for the passengers from the black cabs and he ignored this poor fellow, as did the London Bobbies who were present. This man was very grateful for me giving him what I did.<BR/><BR/>As for Bernard's comment about the Sally Ann organization, well...I know of several incidents in Montreal in 1984 at two locations: one for homeless women and one for teenage girls who were in a variety of bad circumstances. At Christmas the staff picked through the donated food and clothing before passing on the remainder. When Provigo donated turkeys for the poor, most of them went to the staff. Also, the Sally Ann gets paid from the federal government for each SIN number they provide of a person staying at their shelters. After encountering this I refuse to give the Salvation Army any donation. I give to the local food bank instead.Barbara Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00610140328527165017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-5902173576616389042009-02-06T16:55:00.000-06:002009-02-06T16:55:00.000-06:00Hey Charles,You are kind -- that's apparent in all...Hey Charles,<BR/><BR/>You are kind -- that's apparent in all your posts and generous comments! I also find it incredibly difficult to turn anyone down when they ask for help. I usually do it when I can and if they use the money for something other than what they say, well, I figure it's between them and God. I can only do what I do. I suspect that a lot more of this will happen as the economy continues to be rough. For the grace of God . . .Michelle's Spellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15769666862403600253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-54816657376893136772009-02-06T12:14:00.000-06:002009-02-06T12:14:00.000-06:00good stuff, charlesthe only time i refuse to help ...good stuff, charles<BR/><BR/>the only time i refuse to help is when they get in my face, yell, and say i MUST give them money....laughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-78497493061209306852009-02-06T00:22:00.000-06:002009-02-06T00:22:00.000-06:00I had an older woman approach the window of the ca...I had an older woman approach the window of the car while I was waiting my turn at a fast-food drive-thru. She wanted to sell me some very used kids' VCR tapes. It was so sad. I gave her money. It was just so sad. What people are forced to stoop to.Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04678698296265168217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-6686009091929316592009-02-05T22:25:00.000-06:002009-02-05T22:25:00.000-06:00Anndi, that's a great story. Glad he did indeed g...Anndi, that's a great story. Glad he did indeed get the food.<BR/><BR/>Josephine, I kinda like that hat myself. hides a lot of my face. lol. <BR/><BR/>Definitely a hard life for folks who live on the streets.<BR/><BR/>benjibopper, I agree. We don't know what struggles led them to that place in their lives, and cannot know how we would have coped differently.<BR/><BR/>L.A. Mitchell, I'm confident enough in myself that others making fun of me for getting scammed doesn't bother me. If it happens, so be it.<BR/><BR/>Jack, You're like me. I'm not good at recognizing the cues.<BR/><BR/>X. Dell, It's certainly a shame when people have given much for their country and the country can't be troubled to give a little back.<BR/> <BR/>Donnetta Lee, I saw that. And glad you won. I'll mail the book toot sweet.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-30047282718053475442009-02-05T22:04:00.000-06:002009-02-05T22:04:00.000-06:00Ironically, this kinda ties in with my little 55er...Ironically, this kinda ties in with my little 55er of last Friday! Just wanted to say thanks again for awarding me the book! I can't wait to get it. DDonnettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14831771508607746472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-60443956489304755232009-02-05T18:29:00.000-06:002009-02-05T18:29:00.000-06:00There are a lot of homeless people in this area. ...There are a lot of homeless people in this area. Working for the Commerce Department, I learned that there were an unusually high numbr of vets who were homeless (far above their percentage of the actual population), the bulk of them from the Vietnam era. There were a ton of kids too, either born into it, or forced into it. There were also a lot of people who had lost institutional funding, people who had lost their jobs because of long debilitating illnesses, massive layoff, or some other kind of economic upheaval. There were a few winos and druggies too, but in many such cases these weren't causal factors.X. Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17561609651507566271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-43636498492660606472009-02-05T16:25:00.000-06:002009-02-05T16:25:00.000-06:00I gave up trying to figure out if people needed th...I gave up trying to figure out if people needed the money or not. I usually give money. I now live in an area where there are more people asking for money, but it hasn't become too much, yet.<BR/><BR/>You make good points with your list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-13559267526571288162009-02-05T13:47:00.000-06:002009-02-05T13:47:00.000-06:00What a kind soul you have, Charles. I'm teased so...What a kind soul you have, Charles. I'm teased sometimes for giving when it's obvious to others how gullible I am. I don't think we can let the scams/bad habits of a few get in the way of our humanity.L.A. Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11729129827211991040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-41323720465524698012009-02-05T12:26:00.000-06:002009-02-05T12:26:00.000-06:00It's true, many homeless people suffer addiction a...It's true, many homeless people suffer addiction and/or mental illness, but that's no reason for lack of empathy and concern. It's good of you to try to help, regardless of where the money might have gone. Knowing the right thing to do is rarely so clear as black-and-white.Chris Benjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00402945887045545024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-78592105773662446622009-02-05T09:07:00.000-06:002009-02-05T09:07:00.000-06:00Hey Charles, long time see. Luv the new avatar. Th...Hey Charles, long time see. Luv the new avatar. That hat looks good on you.<BR/><BR/>Most of the death investigation cases I worked were homeless people - sadly the very means of shelter they sought was the thing that ultimately did them in.<BR/><BR/>They are not only older than their real age on the outside, but the road ages them to the bone - yes even their bones are that of a much older person. <BR/><BR/>Still, I always wonder if I gave someone $ are they spending it on booze or dope?Josephine Damianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952030380866201241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-52827591022728097262009-02-05T08:52:00.000-06:002009-02-05T08:52:00.000-06:00My Honey and I were walking in Atlanta when a man ...My Honey and I were walking in Atlanta when a man walked up to us. He talked about a landmark we were looking at. After a while he asked us for help, if we could spare some money so he could go buy some food for himself and his family. We gave him a couple dollars and wished him well. Later on, we saw him walking with a bag with a KFC box in it.<BR/><BR/>It doesn't always turn out like that but when it does, it makes me feel a bit better.Anndihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08703154815958841195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-27438700418675320402009-02-05T07:53:00.000-06:002009-02-05T07:53:00.000-06:00JR., I imagine you get more than your share.Erik, ...JR., I imagine you get more than your share.<BR/><BR/>Erik, Well, I hope some changes will be made, although I don't imagine there is a perfect solution.<BR/><BR/>Marmite Toasty, thank you. I appreciate your kind words.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-26282143618958201892009-02-05T04:06:00.000-06:002009-02-05T04:06:00.000-06:00Your compassion is a wonderful gift...... many hav...Your compassion is a wonderful gift...... many have lost that gift.... fank you for being you.....<BR/><BR/>xMarmiteToastyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536695634856882487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-36398837761350566042009-02-05T01:51:00.000-06:002009-02-05T01:51:00.000-06:00Absolutely right on.There are now more every week ...Absolutely right on.<BR/><BR/>There are now more every week in need, it seems. God help us all.Erik Donald Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332500850365598564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-25266502876206914912009-02-04T23:05:00.000-06:002009-02-04T23:05:00.000-06:00I've had my share of folks doing the hustle and I'...I've had my share of folks doing the hustle and I'm not talking about dancing.JR's Thumbprintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479324326541901987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-78408305880686842292009-02-04T22:11:00.000-06:002009-02-04T22:11:00.000-06:00Virginia lady, yes, research shows that men get he...Virginia lady, yes, research shows that men get helped less often than women. I suppose our ideas of the “fairer” sex still apply at some level. I’ve watched that show. It’s really quite interesting.<BR/><BR/>Heff, yes, I see a lot of folks had quite a bit to say on this topic. I’m sure I’ve been taken advantage of quite a few times. I guess it doesn’t bother me that much. If I was struggling more myself it probably would, but when I’m doing OK I don’t sweat it much.<BR/><BR/>Danette, I can see what that one would bother you. Obviously when you gave her help, instead of appreciating it, she saw you as an easy touch for more. Those kinds of folks really put one off of giving to beggars.<BR/><BR/>Lauren, I have given people leftovers from a restaurant before. I never thought about the snacks. I’d probably eat them myself. And yes, there are a lot of shelters that can provide some care. It does help to point folks in that direction. Many don’t seem to take advantage of what’s there, though.<BR/><BR/>Chris Eldin, I pass by plenty of times, I assure you.<BR/><BR/>Merisi, I suspect the social services there may be better than here. And you’re right, there is organized kind of begging that you’d be better off not to support. It’s very hard to know. I’m kind of naïve, I think. I usually take people at what they say. I know that means I get taken at times. That story about the guy at the hotdog stand really touches me, though. You’d like to know that what you did was appreciated like that. I think we’d all give much more if we knew it was being put to good use.<BR/><BR/>Shauna, you make a good point. I gave a guy a ride once and we talked on a rather long journey together about his life on the roads. And he said much the same thing. He sometimes did take advantage of services, but mostly he preferred to be independent, and if he went hungry, well he’d been hungry before. I also know that some shelters do put something of a hard sell on their services. They’re not quite free in a psychological way. Good point about their inherit worth. I feel the same way.<BR/> <BR/>Georgie B, I’ve definitely been in a few uncomfortable situations where I felt like the request for money wasn’t quite just a request. It scared me, and angered me. Like any other group, beggars are varied. Some are assholes, others genuinely in need. <BR/><BR/>Ivan, wow, 640 bucks a day. That’s pretty good wages. I know of a few other cases where individuals have basically used begging to make a decent living. It still wouldn’t be worth it to me. That’s a lot of dough though.<BR/><BR/>Pattinase, once in Texas, when I was pretty much broke, I was in a restaurant. I ordered a pretty simple meal and had enough to pay for it, but a perfect stranger picked up the check for me because he overheard me say to someone that I didn’t have much money. He just did it. That has always stayed with me and is probably part of the reason I helped that woman with some dollars.<BR/><BR/>Jennifer, yes, you definitely have to be careful. You can get yourself in something serious. Years ago I picked up a hitchhiker who threatened me if I didn’t take him further than where I was going. At that time I was young and probably stupid and just said, no. He didn’t do anything but he had me scared for a while. You must take care of yourself, and especially when you have family depending on you.<BR/><BR/>Travis, I see from the comments here that almost everyone has memories of such faces.<BR/><BR/>Sarah Hina, I think pretty much the same way. The money I gave her won’t really be missed in my pocket, but maybe in hers it might make a diference.<BR/><BR/>Chumplet – Sandra, I heard about a guy in Austin who made begging his day job and drove a very nice car. Such folks really make me angry. They are definitely parasites on society when they’re doing those kinds of things.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-71474757211229899442009-02-04T21:43:00.000-06:002009-02-04T21:43:00.000-06:00We had a well-known woman in Toronto dubbed 'shaky...We had a well-known woman in Toronto dubbed 'shaky lady.' She wobbled and shook while sitting on her pile of rags over a ventilation grate on the sidewalk, and people gave her money.<BR/><BR/>Later, someone followed her. He discovered she lived in a condo in the downtown area, and owned a big screen television.<BR/><BR/>She was busted in our daily newspaper. I don't know what happened to her after that.<BR/><BR/>In our medium sized town north of T.O., a young fellow asked me for money to buy some food. I said I didn't carry cash, but offered to bring him a sandwich when I was finished my grocery shopping.<BR/><BR/>He was still there when I came out with my shopping cart, talking to a friend. I gave him the sandwich and his friend received a candy bar. When I pushed my cart across the parking lot, I noticed him answer his cell phone.<BR/><BR/>Yeah, outta luck.<BR/><BR/>Still, there are people who really need help. It's hard to tell which ones, but random kindness doesn't hurt, even if it's unnecessary.Sandra Cormierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231342310371529022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-87310163397228345222009-02-04T21:33:00.000-06:002009-02-04T21:33:00.000-06:00This might be my favorite post of yours, Charles. ...This might be my favorite post of yours, Charles. The idea that she's a part of you now touched me. It's true. A connection, no matter how slight, was forged. Whether she's "at fault" in some way for her condition is less important than whether we're still willing to help. I think I'd rather take the chance on helping, even if she was gaming me in some way. It's only a couple bucks to us, but it could be the day's meal for her.Sarah Hinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13888406261817690010noreply@blogger.com