Just a few thoughts re our general discomfort with the people in our midst. Thank you, Dan, for framing your thoughts into questions. I think they help us all wrestle with the tough things all around us. We can reply or not, without being told how to think. I find it hard to be in a situation like the one you described when homelessness or some form of poverty enters our comfort zone. For me, it's because I know I can't fix it, as much as I wish I could. I kinda like how the coffee shop lets their customers do the deciding when someone in question, (apparently non-violent) asks for help. Some people handle dis-ease better than others, and I too am disappointed in a society where a "have" chooses to denigrate a "have not." Sadly, I would guess that the one asking for help has probably been treated this way before. It doesn't make it right. What it does do is exemplify the society we're living in. And the scenario leaves out that anyone can fall from grace. Maybe more common than we think, even those with a pedigree of work and education can find themselves needing society's good will. It troubles me, and I also don't really know how I would have responded. His ask for money doesn't obligate us. It calms me a bit to recognize that.Still, I need to ask, what is decency? Is there something each of us can do to, one decent move at a time, to change the society that we see through this scenario? I'd like to say that I would just talk to the guy, smile, wish him a good day, hope that his charged phone allows him a better connection for living his day, maybe mention that this coffee shop seems like a good place for him. Would that change the reality that the poor are with us? No. I think it does accept it though. Would my response make a difference for one person's day, and maybe model good behavior to others? I'm not really sure. But that's just what I, on a good day, would do, I think. Kinda like making a silent donation for a cup of cocoa. Thanks!
Thank you for this very well considered comment and for adding a lot more to the discussion. Your ask about decency is interesting as I wonder if we'd get different definitions of what that even is. Or what it could be. Or heck, if it even mattered as you point out. Sigh...
I remember, I met a cop who had spent two years undercover as a homeless person to catch drug dealers. Could not see his family at all. And it’s true that Jesus had no home and lived in poverty? he is admired today. So…
I also have mixed feelings about the homeless situation., just as homelessness covers a mix of people. Some have met with misfortune, some, yes, choose it, and some panhandle and do not need it. I guess the answer is to try and help all so you do reach the unfortunate ones. I wonder about cell phones though. Do homeless get cell phones for emergencies?
Interestingly, you're not the first that wondered about that so I looked it up. Turns out, back in 84, Reagan started a FCC program called Lifeline that provided cell phones and service to poor or unhoused folks. It was considered necessary tech back then. Program is still in place. Paid for through taxes on cell phone companies, which, if I'm not mistaken pass that cost onto consumers!
Interesting. Thanks for the info. I did not know that cell phones existed in 84. My first "cell" was a large box you hooked up like a cb radio. That was in early 90's. Don't know what I was doing. LOL! They did com out public in 83 but were heavy.
This phone thing peaked my interest. I asked a friend. He said cell service in NH was not until the 90s and iffy at best. He got a flip phone in 95 with spotty service for $15 a month for 15 minutes of free talk time. The history of phones. Now how about those answering machines?
Yes, there are very nice comments. Mary Madeline was the marketing department for Jesus. She promoted Jesus and in return he was given the opportunity of food and drink by many people. Someone would give him money or a place to stay. This could be considered pan handling. Let’s not demise Jesus teachings. . Still. You never know how some got to be so unfortunate. Yes, panhandling can make good money, more than most. I believe this is where jealousy comes in. Trump is panhandling. Sorry to say. Many ways to see this.
Just a few thoughts re our general discomfort with the people in our midst. Thank you, Dan, for framing your thoughts into questions. I think they help us all wrestle with the tough things all around us. We can reply or not, without being told how to think. I find it hard to be in a situation like the one you described when homelessness or some form of poverty enters our comfort zone. For me, it's because I know I can't fix it, as much as I wish I could. I kinda like how the coffee shop lets their customers do the deciding when someone in question, (apparently non-violent) asks for help. Some people handle dis-ease better than others, and I too am disappointed in a society where a "have" chooses to denigrate a "have not." Sadly, I would guess that the one asking for help has probably been treated this way before. It doesn't make it right. What it does do is exemplify the society we're living in. And the scenario leaves out that anyone can fall from grace. Maybe more common than we think, even those with a pedigree of work and education can find themselves needing society's good will. It troubles me, and I also don't really know how I would have responded. His ask for money doesn't obligate us. It calms me a bit to recognize that.Still, I need to ask, what is decency? Is there something each of us can do to, one decent move at a time, to change the society that we see through this scenario? I'd like to say that I would just talk to the guy, smile, wish him a good day, hope that his charged phone allows him a better connection for living his day, maybe mention that this coffee shop seems like a good place for him. Would that change the reality that the poor are with us? No. I think it does accept it though. Would my response make a difference for one person's day, and maybe model good behavior to others? I'm not really sure. But that's just what I, on a good day, would do, I think. Kinda like making a silent donation for a cup of cocoa. Thanks!
Thank you for this very well considered comment and for adding a lot more to the discussion. Your ask about decency is interesting as I wonder if we'd get different definitions of what that even is. Or what it could be. Or heck, if it even mattered as you point out. Sigh...
Relative to the 'bro' and his attitude, buying that poor unhoused man a hot chocolate was a hero move.
I appreciate that.
I remember, I met a cop who had spent two years undercover as a homeless person to catch drug dealers. Could not see his family at all. And it’s true that Jesus had no home and lived in poverty? he is admired today. So…
Wow, I can't even imagine that!
Me neither. I was talking with his dad who happened to be retired cop. He said, my son went the full monte, had to to find drug dealers
Both were dedicated.dad, Retired and a consultant for the police and son out getting drug dealers.
I also have mixed feelings about the homeless situation., just as homelessness covers a mix of people. Some have met with misfortune, some, yes, choose it, and some panhandle and do not need it. I guess the answer is to try and help all so you do reach the unfortunate ones. I wonder about cell phones though. Do homeless get cell phones for emergencies?
Interestingly, you're not the first that wondered about that so I looked it up. Turns out, back in 84, Reagan started a FCC program called Lifeline that provided cell phones and service to poor or unhoused folks. It was considered necessary tech back then. Program is still in place. Paid for through taxes on cell phone companies, which, if I'm not mistaken pass that cost onto consumers!
Interesting. Thanks for the info. I did not know that cell phones existed in 84. My first "cell" was a large box you hooked up like a cb radio. That was in early 90's. Don't know what I was doing. LOL! They did com out public in 83 but were heavy.
My understanding was that it was for both hard line service in general and for the first wave of commercial phones that came out in 82-83.
This phone thing peaked my interest. I asked a friend. He said cell service in NH was not until the 90s and iffy at best. He got a flip phone in 95 with spotty service for $15 a month for 15 minutes of free talk time. The history of phones. Now how about those answering machines?
There's a lot to digest in your story. Gotta think about it and what I would have done......
Hard questions. Not easy answers...
Yes, there are very nice comments. Mary Madeline was the marketing department for Jesus. She promoted Jesus and in return he was given the opportunity of food and drink by many people. Someone would give him money or a place to stay. This could be considered pan handling. Let’s not demise Jesus teachings. . Still. You never know how some got to be so unfortunate. Yes, panhandling can make good money, more than most. I believe this is where jealousy comes in. Trump is panhandling. Sorry to say. Many ways to see this.