How Much?
He caught my eye as I was leaving QuikTrip. I had a feeling he was going to…
“Excuse me…” he said. His words just hung in the air.
Damn it. Every time.
I turned and walked directly towards him without hesitation. I always do this. I have no idea why. Maybe because most people avoid people like him. Maybe it is a game. Maybe I am just a weirdo.
“What’s up?” I asked as I got closer knowing full well what was up. He was a heavyset man wearing a hoodie and worn-out sneakers.
“I am staying across the…” he started his story. It always starts with a story.
“You want money?” I quickly interrupted. I always interrupt. At this point, I was getting agitated. I always get agitated.
“Well I am trying to…” he started again.
“You want money?” I interrupted again. Now I was standing right in front of him.
It’s always about money. However, most people always go into some long-winded story and that wastes everyone’s time. I had already given some broad a buck earlier when I stopped at Kroger. She started with some story.
“Well, I am trying to….” he started again.
“How much?” I asked.
“Anything will...” he continued.
I went to my car, dug through the mess, pulled out a dollar, and walked back over to him with the cash. I handed him the dollar. He never got up and didn’t say thank you. Most people don’t. I take that back, a few I have met on the street corners with signs say thank you.
If he had asked for $2, I would have given him $2. Three? My lucky number.
I always ask “how much” when someone on the streets asks for money. Nobody says how much. I am waiting for someone to say $100 because if they do, I will give it. If someone asks for $1000 I will fake a seizure and leave.
I walked back to my car trying to figure out why I got so agitated. Was it because he was hesitant to ask for what he wants and I see that in myself? Ugh, damn it.
I think there are a few lessons here, unfortunately.
First, we should always give to those less fortunate than us. Always. It should be burned into our personal ethos.
Second, we should always ask for exactly what we want. Easier said than done, obviously.
Third, we should always say thank you. Again, I am working on this one too.
Maybe that dude was an Angel here to remind me of these lessons. Maybe he wasn’t.
Next time you are stopped by someone less fortunate begging for some change, ask them “how much” and see if they answer.
Trey
Speaking of giving, here are two ways you can support the less fortunate this holiday season:
1. Help me with a $5 donation to my team (or join my team if you are in Atlanta and want to have a beer with me Saturday) as I try to raise money for Bert’s Big Adventure: Trey's Team For Bert's Big Adventure Santa Run
2. Support a specific child this holiday season by helping GOBeyond Charity. We have 16 more kids to help this year: GOBeyond Charites