About two weeks ago I was hanging out with a buddy of mine in Vancouver (just so you know, I am not the brown guy in the photo. Feraz is).
We were walking to the pub when this homeless guy started following us and asking us for cash. Since I was hardened by my experiences with the poor in China, I flatly refused and kept moving.
Then the homeless guy switched tactics and asked for food. Without a second thought, I refused again and we kept moving.
Some time later after Feraz and I had our BBQ platter and were getting stoned on our 20 oz beer refills, Feraz broke the ice:
"Dennis, I feel really bad about that homeless guy."
"Why?" I asked without turning from the game on the TV.
"He was asking for food, and now here we are full of smoked ribs and getting drunk on beer. There's something really wrong about that."
"There's a lot of scams out there dude," I replied.
Then we went back and forth where I listed a report of the bad experiences I've had in the past with grifters. I then went on to describe how the level of poverty I saw overseas was beyond North American comprehension and that by comparison things were great here.
"Yeah? So? He was only asking for food," repeated Feraz.
"Ok. So why didn't you give him some food?" I countered.
"I dunno... I guess I was just following your lead."
Feraz fidgeted in his chair and flicked a peanut off the table. "I should go back and find that guy."
He was right.
May be I am a selfish bastard who is too pampered by the good fortunes in his life. We only have most of what we do by an accident of birth. Or may be I am getting too cynical in my old age. I didn't like the idea of becoming something more ugly than what soap and hair gel can fix.
"Ok," I said. "The next three times a homeless person asks either of us for food, we have to buy them a meal. Then we will check with each other and compare notes on what we learn."
The deal was struck; pinky fingers were crossed and a solemn pact was made.
To date I have been asked for money countless times on the streets of Toronto, but no one has asked for food yet. In fact when I walk past people on the street I slow down a bit hoping to hear a request for food.
So Feraz? How goes the deal on your end?
ps: The answer is "No. Cheap friends looking for a free lunch do not count".
