Unwanted Bart Buddy
It was my own damn fault, but I really gotta tell this one.
For the last 3 weeks the train I usually take in the morning has dropped from 10 cars to 9. This has basically made it so I'm standing 2 days out of the 4 I commute. This does not thrill me. Today I get on and I see a seat in the back row. There's a dude sitting there, but it isn't until my butt is halfway in to the chair that I smell the smell. Not real strong, but the distinct smell of someone who is about to beg me for money. However, I really wanted that seat today, so I decided to just stick it out. I'm thinking, it won't be the first time I sat next to a bum on the train.
The problem is, he's not sleeping like a good transient and decided he wants to have a conversation. A VERY LONG conversation. About sports, and the first black manager in sports, and how italians in New York fight with italians in Cleveland, and how it's only white folks who get on at Walnut Creek and how he doesn't get why the rich black sports players always have white girlfriends. I also made the mistake of giving him a buck for coffee to not have him antagonize me for the whole ride and I end up giving him another three bucks for breakfast. The second time I was smart and told him I'd give it to him at his stop, so he couldn't beg for any more.
I did manage to get him off sports talking about various places in Philadelphia and the Philly area, where apparently (thank god) he is moving back to with his sister next week. At least I had something to contribute to that 'conversation'. I really think even headphones would not have deterred this guy, and I didn't really want to be rude (though I really wished I could be).
That's it, I'm taking the Montgomery train from now on, and the headphones go on before I get on the train. It's worth risking the boss noticing me sliding in 5 minutes late.
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He didn't beg you for money
He didn't beg you for money to move back to Philly? :)
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Wow!!! Is that how they do
Wow!!! Is that how they do it. They just have a deep conversation about sports and out comes a wad of money? I'll have to try that. I want to know what he said to make you compelled to give additional funding to his cause.
Was it?
1. The smell... How do you smell someone is going to ask for money?
2. Pulled the ole' heart strings?
3. or... the smell?
A woman asked me for food one day and I told her when she see's me again to not ask me again. I had offered her an apple and she refused because half her teeth were missing from the left side of her mouth. I think if I were her I would have gummed the apple to death. Then when I saw her again, she was going to approach me as if she had never seen me before. I stopped her in her tracks to say, "didn't I tell you the last time you saw me.. to not see me?" I pointed at her to make it clear. I was sick and tired at that point. Then a third time I saw the same woman and she walks by me and says, "don't forget to call me for dinner!" I had to laugh, but I thought, "this B#$#ch! is crazy." She won't stop.
I say this to say, "we cannot be compelled with every story that someone lays on us at bart.. on the ride, entering or exiting."
JUST SAY NO.
Chrystal Flanders -"You're Saying it or You're Not! You're a Punk or You're Not!"
Actually, I have no problem
Actually, I have no problem giving an occasional dollar to someone who wants a bite to eat... I just prefer to do it by actually *buying* the food so I know they're not using it to buy smack. Oddly enough, I actually believed this guy just wanted some breakfast. I didn't care for his topics of conversation, but he wasn't insane, drunk, or high. His smell wasn't really THAT bad either, more like someone who picked their clothes off the floor just a time or two too many times, not the overwhelming smell of human waste most of them have.
I'm sure he gets of the train, gets into his shiny new Range Rover, and laughs all the way to the Starbucks.
But really, I gave him the money so I could have at least a halfway pleasant ride to work. It was worth 4 bucks to not be cursed at, annoyed, or forced to stand. I'm going to solve this issue by taking a different train from now on, I'm fed up with being forced to cram in on this new '9 car' situation. The Montgomery train is much more pleasant.
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There is no "U" in BART
The other day a guy outside
The other day a guy outside Embarcadero was asking for money to "help a guy get inebriated" I gave him a dollar just cause I thought he was funny. Normally, I dont give money to any homeless, especially if they talk. Unless its the bush man and I manage to get a nice scare out of a friend... I always toss him a few bucks...
The bush guy rocks, though
The bush guy rocks, though he was a little belligerent to people walking by who didn't give him any money.
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There is no "U" in BART
If you do get on the same
If you do get on the same train and see him, he may give you the $4 back. Now wouldn't that be a miracle? Hey I'm going to start asking the beggers for dollar. I wonder will they pull out their wad and give me a $20?
Chrystal Flanders -"You're Saying it or You're Not! You're a Punk or You're Not!"
I always keep a few slugs
I always keep a few slugs and fake dollar bills with me to give to homeless bums. You should see their eyes light up when I hand them a few fake bills and slugs from a construction site. I can only imagine the feeling when then are standing in line at the liquor store and realize that they are fake bills and slugs from a construction site.
Its mean I know but it brings a smile to my day. It also make me laugh :)
You're killing me here
You're killing me here 'Jerk'. ha ha ha ha ha ha :o) Where are you getting play/fake money? This sounds like a clear case of the movie Black Rain. We know you have plates to make your own money!! Come on .. admit it . ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha..
Chrystal Flanders -"You're Saying it or You're Not! You're a Punk or You're Not!"