The Pro's and Con's of Encomium for Panhandlers
"Can I have a quarter for gas' My car broke down." I've heard the story athousand times before, literally: twice a day for several years. I rarelygive money to panhandlers because in general I despise the web of lies theyweave to swindle people out of money. "Just come right out and ask formoney, don't give me a stupid story," I say to myself, occasionally outloud. I see the same panhandlers each day because I walk by the same spots.I've grown inured to panhandlers, rarely smiling at them, offering simpleeye contact or even saying "No, sorry," in response to their pleas forpayments. It's not that I feel panhandling is wrong; many panhandlers arehomeless or otherwise unable to earn money by conventional means andbegging is their only way to eat. Basically, like many other people, I trynot to be rude while at the same time remaining on guard. Bob stood outside the supermarket I frequent, a noticeably new face onthe block already ridden with beggars and vagabonds of all sorts. Iimmediately noticed the fresh face because I've determined that panhandlersare unforgivably territorial. It's almost as if they rented space from thecity from which to conduct their official business, like a hot dog vendor
Moreover, his reaction to the haggard oldwoman impressed me, inspiring me compassion and encomium for what normallywould be classified as a lesser class of human beings. "Can you spare some change for an old man'" I hesitated, looked right at him, and smiled. Many may think that Bob does not make an honest living,but I feel that begging for his keep is preferable to performing some ofthe nefarious business activities that many CEOs do. I've yet to act on any of these whims, instead choosing to keepBob on the small pedestal I have placed him on, admiring him from afar andthanking him for being a beacon of light. Sowhen she raised her voice to the new guy named Bob, I turned my head to seewhat would ensue. In my mind, he was the firstpanhandler who had ever been genuinely polite, who had smiled and said,"Thanks anyway!" and meant it. I glanced at both of them one more time beforeentering the grocery store, and found myself thinking about the incidentwhile I did my shopping. He patiently waits for handouts, and sometimes says, "Canyou spare some change'" If Bob had said that his car had broken down andhis mother was dying of thirst inside of it and that he needed money forboth a tow truck and water, I might not feel so kindly toward him. Breaking a tradition of never giving money to panhandlers, I kept myloose change from shopping in hand so that I could give it to Bob just thesecond time I saw him. Some of the tales are so complicated andinvolved I can't believe anyone would fall for them, and yet people fallfor them all the time. "Get outa here! Who was here first, huh'" the woman growled. However, I've noticed that she casts mean glancesover at him periodically and unfortunately Bob's cheer hasn't rubbed off onher, even a tad. Bob deserves praise because his attitude toward life is better thanthat of many wealthy people I know. The man has nothing to speak of:obviously either homeless or close to it, Bob has remained in the same spoteach day since that first time he set up camp near the haggard old woman.
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Acceptance Essays
