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calveless wonder
New member
It's weird. A few weeks back when i was leaving a store and getting into my car, a black guy walked up to me with a bucket.
Before i could even say anything, as i assumed he was the typical beggar i'm used to.... he said "sir, i'm not here to ask you for a handout and i mean no trouble. I been cleaning cars to work for money because i lost my job. please let me clean your car, i'll do a good job and i could really use the money"
The way he said it and the tone he used was very sincere. I was a bit taken back because that's almost never the case. I was also impressed at his introduction, because most people are completely tactless when begging (which he wasn't). I could tell he wasn't the crackhead/alcoholic types you see a lot.
My car was dirty so i was tempted lol..but I was in a hurry, so i told him i don't have time, but i'd give him a few bucks anyways. After giving him the money, he said "please sir..at least let me do a quick job and at least wash your windows". It was like he didn't feel right just taking the money. so i let him do that
anyways, fast forward...and i've run into this guy a couple of more times since. the next time i saw him, i actually let him wash my car because it really needed it and i had time. I also bought him some food. surprisingly, he did an awesome job. i probably overpaid him (not by real car wash standards, but im sure for his) and i let him know it just in case he expected that next time, but he understood and was very grateful for everything.
The next couple of times ive ran into him i had random conversations and through that he told me his story. not in a boohoo feel sorry for me way, but just a matter of factly way. I gotta admit, i was inspired and touched. the guy is still positive and doesn't give up. never seen him drunk or high. always trying to work or find work. A lot of the businesses let him offer his services because they know he's not harrassing people.
so lately i've made it a point to bring him food once in awhile ...as well as pay him wash my car when it needs it...along with referring some friends to him. and it sucks, because it's almost like you want to do more to give that person a fighting chance and get back on their feet.
as i learned from my trip to Colombia, it's so easy to dismiss and minimize people less fortunate but when you actually get to know good people in that situation and the human side of it...you can't not be effected or just extremely grateful for what you have or want to help others. I really feel like a spoiled brat sometimes because i often don't internalize how fortunate i've been and am too busy engulfed in my own problems to have perspective.
Before i could even say anything, as i assumed he was the typical beggar i'm used to.... he said "sir, i'm not here to ask you for a handout and i mean no trouble. I been cleaning cars to work for money because i lost my job. please let me clean your car, i'll do a good job and i could really use the money"
The way he said it and the tone he used was very sincere. I was a bit taken back because that's almost never the case. I was also impressed at his introduction, because most people are completely tactless when begging (which he wasn't). I could tell he wasn't the crackhead/alcoholic types you see a lot.
My car was dirty so i was tempted lol..but I was in a hurry, so i told him i don't have time, but i'd give him a few bucks anyways. After giving him the money, he said "please sir..at least let me do a quick job and at least wash your windows". It was like he didn't feel right just taking the money. so i let him do that
anyways, fast forward...and i've run into this guy a couple of more times since. the next time i saw him, i actually let him wash my car because it really needed it and i had time. I also bought him some food. surprisingly, he did an awesome job. i probably overpaid him (not by real car wash standards, but im sure for his) and i let him know it just in case he expected that next time, but he understood and was very grateful for everything.
The next couple of times ive ran into him i had random conversations and through that he told me his story. not in a boohoo feel sorry for me way, but just a matter of factly way. I gotta admit, i was inspired and touched. the guy is still positive and doesn't give up. never seen him drunk or high. always trying to work or find work. A lot of the businesses let him offer his services because they know he's not harrassing people.
so lately i've made it a point to bring him food once in awhile ...as well as pay him wash my car when it needs it...along with referring some friends to him. and it sucks, because it's almost like you want to do more to give that person a fighting chance and get back on their feet.
as i learned from my trip to Colombia, it's so easy to dismiss and minimize people less fortunate but when you actually get to know good people in that situation and the human side of it...you can't not be effected or just extremely grateful for what you have or want to help others. I really feel like a spoiled brat sometimes because i often don't internalize how fortunate i've been and am too busy engulfed in my own problems to have perspective.
