Almost a Bum

For obvious reasons, being homeless is looked down and frowned upon. What people don't realize is that the average homeless person you see on the streets is actually looking down on you, and is literally relying, expecting, and anticipating your pity, in order for them to live their chosen way of life. The serious homeless people go to shelters and locations where food is provided as well as assistance with a job to help them become a patron of society once again. The not so serious ones are seen everyday on the streets, panhandling and looking pitiful, so they could bank on your pity for them. I know this because for years I hung out with them, saw the glory and benefits of being homeless, and was on the verge of becoming one myself.

The average person is oblivious to what it means to be homeless. Simply put, it means freedom in its purest form. Go out when and where you want. Sleep as long as you want. Go where you want. No one to tell you what to do and how you should do it. If panhandling is illegal, then why do you see the same homeless people at the same locations, for years? Easy. Because they don't get arrested, because they WANT to get arrested. If they go to jail, perfect! Jail means nice showers for the 1st time in months, 3 square meals guaranteed every day, and clean/fresh clothes! Why not want to go to jail? Once in, they will milk it for all it's worth for as long as they can. The police are aware of this, and will arrest the homeless only if it's absolutely necessary. This is also why the police are more inclined to stop you from giving them money than trying to stop them from trying to take your money.

Have you ever tried to give a homeless person food instead of money? If you truly want to help them out, and not their habits, try it sometime. The humble ones will take it appreciatively, but don't be surprised if they look at you like you're crazy, or even curse you out! On a slow day, the average homeless panhandler makes about 40-50 bucks. On a good day about 70-80 bucks. During the holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving? Whew! they can make up to 200 dollars a day easy! This is why you see way more "homeless" panhandlers during the holiday seasons. Extra druggies are trying to bank in on the "pity me" cash cow. And their is also a type of hierarchy among themselves as well. The bum with connections to the drugs is a necessary asset. The homeless person that is a dog owner is praised and admired, mainly because animal owners get the most "pity" from civilians and cash out with the most money at the end of the day. Same goes for homeless people with kids, but they are very cautious and careful because of the risk of getting their kids taken from them.

I say druggies because that is exactly what the average homeless person is: a drunk or a heavy drug user. It is this part of their lifestyle that turns it into a hustle and makes it dishonest. Let's say their day ended with a cash out of $65. They use maybe $20 on a nice meal from them and a friend or something, and the rest goes to the drugs. From their they get high, go to sleep, wake up, and do it all over again. The civilians feel good about thinking they helped someone down and out, the homeless person gets to sanction their drug habits, everybody wins.

I planned on taking a more honorable approach about being homeless myself. Living in the creeks and on the side of the roads and freeways seemed tacky and too raunchy for me. I began looking at abandoned churches and old run-down buildings to break into and start living in. To avoid running into anyone I knew or grew upped with, my panhandling was going to be miles from my house, in predominantly Asian communities. I was going to buy a top-notch squeegee, and start cleaning windows at gas stations. In this way I was kind of earning the money I would receive, rather than just an extended hand and a sign. After cleaning the windows, I was going to just smile and walk away. In this way I felt I wouldn't be "asking" for money, they would just feel bad for my circumstances, and having done it without asking for anything, they would feel guilty and give me money. In this way, I also wouldn't be harassing people for money, so the people working at the gas station shouldn't have too much of a problem with my occasional presence.

Yep. Had it all figured out. I was on the verge of moving out of my mom's house and becoming homeless. Having true freedom and making my own tax-free money and forever being able to do what I wanted, how I wanted, when I wanted! I saw no flaw in my next final venture, but God had other plans for me, a story for another time.

Just remember the next time you feel like doing your civic duty to society, and are deciding on giving a homeless person some cash, think twice. Do they need your cash, or need their drugs? Are you really helping them, or indulging and encouraging their addictions? Do they need your help, or know where they can get real help, but refuse? Not all homeless people are cunning and conniving. Some really are in bad situations, and don't have a clue what to do with their lives. Maybe your 3 dollar gift can change it all around for them. I am not being sarcastic, I really do not know. All I know is that if I am to offer a homeless person something, it's food, nothing else. And I always pray for every homeless person I see. It could have been me, it almost WAS me. One of the reasons why I thank God for my everyday, every day.