Thanks… For Just Being You?
Coffee Shop: Irvine Cha @ University Center
So I was at getting some half coffee / half milk tea (a very good combo, btw) at around 11pm one evening at Cha, only to be confronted by an older homeless woman as I left. She asked for some money to which I responded, “Oh, I don’t have any. I just spent it.”
That was a lie. I had more money. This is what got to me. I don’t have a huge problem with not always giving to the homeless, but it was really bothering me that I told her I didn’t have any. So I am sitting at a table, enjoyiing my drink as she is starting to leave. I get up and pull out a dollar. She is already rolling her shopping cart away. I am already starting to feel awkward. I say “excuse me.” She doesn’t turn. I could have just sat back down, but I’ve passed the threshold at this point. This woman is taking this dollar whether she wants it or not. “Exuse me” I say louder. She turns. I hand her the dollar and say, “Here you go. Thanks.”
Thanks!? Why the hell did I say thanks? I wasn’t paying for goods or services rendered (oh gosh, I hope people didn’t think that). I’m giving her a dollar! Even she realized how awkward this was and laughed at me as she took the buck. She then returned an awkward “thanks” and rolled away.
I sit back down, deafeted again by a social situation. This time by a homeless person.
Comment...
Leave a Comment
Hopefully something coffee related...