NYC

They: excuse me, my name is xxx, I live here down the road

Me: Hi

They: I am going to that shop over there to buy some milk for my baby, I just need a few dollars, nobody wants to talk to me

Me: (What a hard life!) Not today man.

They: I just need another dollar, what am I going to do.

Me: OK I'll give you a dollar, here you go, take care.

Next day:
They: Excuse me, I'm going to buy a turkey-cheese sandwich in that shop over there.

Me: Sorry man.

They: I'm not asking for money man, I'm hungry and I just want a sandwich.

Me: You can have my (non-eaten) bagel here.

They: No thanks, I just want a turkey cheese sandwhich to take to the shelter.

Me: (What do I do?) Next time man.

Next day:
They: So where are you from?

Me: Belgium.

They: I like Belgium! They speak French, Flemish and German, right?

Me: Yes.

They: Yeah, I visited Belgium a few times, it's a great city.

Me: It's a country!

They: Yeah I know, but I always think of it as a city - it's really one big city isn't it?

# May 10, 2002