These days when my car rolls up at the traffic crossing, the beggar turns and walks to the row of vehicles on my left. If after the detour the lights still haven't changed, he approaches me, looking quizzical. Just to say hello and tip his hat at me. He doesn't ask for money anymore. If I take out a coin from my wallet, that's fine, else he walks on to the car behind mine.
Ever since I'd started a chatty conversation with him more than a month back, he avoids me. And I avoid him, keeping my eyes fixed on the book in my lap till he is actually near my window. As though we know something shameful about each other.
6 comments:
What was the chatty conversation about?
about shame perhaps...?
Two wit too woo
Hello Monica,
I had a similar experience with someone in Hobart. I haven't seen this chap for ages now, over a year, but he used to walk the streets with his two dogs, approaching and usually asking for a small amount of money, thirty or forty cents, not enough to buy anything much with at all, not even enough to buy a newspaper. Sometimes I'd give him a few coins, though I'm probably more broke than he is - but if you have to ask....
the beggar meets bagger.
- jes another writer
Ralph, Mohit: hello & thanks for sharing your experiences. I pass by 2 or 3 traffic signals on my way to work, and there are "regulars" at each who've become friendly faces. I'm trying to work out where these acquaintances are located in my life.
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