Is Pittsburgh making me soft?
Pittsburgh, like every other city, has its share of homeless people who beg for money. There does not seem to be too many around, but I see one from time to time. Every so often I will be walking on the same sidewalk that someone has planted themselves on in the hopes of making contact with a generous or naive person. Sometimes I give a bit of money, usually a dollar or two, and sometimes I just keep looking forward and walk right on by. I don't know what makes me decide when to give and when to not. Some weeks money is tighter than others or maybe it is my mood at that particular time. Or maybe I have some physic power that weeds out the truly needy and those that I would just be adding to their cigarette or booze fund.
I was pondering all this because tonight just a little while ago as I came out of the grocery store someone who looked like the typical down on their luck person politely asked me if I could possibly spare bus fare so he could get to a shelter downtown on Sheffield St. I pretended I did not hear him and kept walking but then something made me stop. Maybe it was my physic power telling me he was ok, maybe it was because I knew that there is a homeless shelter downtown somewhere. Or maybe it was guilt. With most of my money going to pay down debt, I don't have a surplus to throw around, the occasional dinner out, movie, or trip to the coffee shop are my big spending sprees right now. Maybe it was because I figured if I am able to go to the store just to spend five bucks on some ice cream I suddenly got a huge craving for (Edy's carmel delight -- try it) , then I can help out my fellow man with $1.75 for a bus ride. Either way I went back into the store because I was carrying only plastic, and proceeded to purchase a pack of gum and get some cash back so I could give the guy two bucks. Would he use it booze or drugs or would he have a much needed meal and good night's sleep at the shelter? I guess I hope for the best and that the latter happens. Looking back I did see him standing at the bus stop so hopefully a little thing like $2.00 did some good. If so it would be worth skipping the coffee shop one day and drinking the slop in the office coffee maker.