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A curious sight on 7th — Brooklynian

A curious sight on 7th

windowdressing
windowdressing
edited November -1 in Park Slope
When my pudgy dog and I turned the corner onto 7th ave, I heard a woman asking a young man for a quarter. She pocketed the quarter, turned, and accidentally kicked my dog. She apologized, and I tried to assure her that it was no problem. She strode ahead. She was 30-35 years old, white, blondish hair, gray dress slacks (is that what they are called?), a black jacket, and black purse. I went on walking behind her. Then I heard her asking another person for a quarter, then another, then another. She stopped every other person she saw and asked for a quarter. What amazed me was how many people stopped, opened their purse or searched their pockets, and gave her money. I have lived in this neighborhood for six years or so, seen many people asking for change, but never have I seen someone so successful in such an endeavor. It was remarkable.

My dog and I walked behind her from Union to 3rd st. The numbers were staggering--after a while I had to start counting. She spoke to at least 20 people that I saw--and only three people didn't give her change. Only one person breezed right by her.

Often, when she spoke to people, she mentioned something about a phone call, but when she walked past a second time she was grumbling and I heard the word "dinner." I also thought I saw something glisten beneath her eyes, though this might have been a trick of the light.

I thought it worth mentioning, though I'm not sure why.

Comments

  • raw
    raw
    At least she got some exercise while begging unlike some of the chubby guys that sit in front of stores god-blessing you.
  • the chipster
    the chipster
    I saw her too! She said she "was having a bad day." I think because she was an anomaly for Park Slope (white women panhandlers are more common in the East Village) people were sorta stunned. I wonder if we bumped into each other too---because I also followed her, after I refused to give her $.
  • raw
    raw
    Damn, do you guys follow every beggar off the trains too?
  • the chipster
    the chipster
    Darling, did I not tell you the daily habits of a social anthropologist?
  • raw
    raw
    Forget 25 cents. Out in California all types of "homeless" people -- women, men, old, young, whatever -- approached me and flat out asked, "can you buy me lunch?"
  • abs276
    abs276
    i gave her two quarters outside tarjian! she said it was for a pay phone. haha. i thought it was a weird interaction, but didn't really mind.
  • longtimesloper
    longtimesloper
    I find it very intriguing how many people on this board met or followed this woman yesterday. did you all see each other?
  • jetshark
    jetshark
    This is so weird.

    I was waiting for some friends outside Geido last night when this woman approached me. She seemed totally normal and sincere. She asked me for a quarter for a phone call and, even though I was thinking "she looks like she would have a cell", I felt bad and gave her a quarter.

    I then saw her walk ten feet and ask someone else. I almost chased her down to get my quarter back. Not for money's sake but because she clearly lied to me about why she needed it. If she was honest I still would have given her the money.

    That's one expensive phone call lady.
  • abs276
    abs276
    maybe she's doing some sort of experiment? she really didn't look like she would need to beg, but i could be wrong.
  • obamanut
    obamanut

    Subject: Re: A curious sight on 7th

    windowdressing wrote: I have lived in this neighborhood for six years or so, seen many people asking for change, but never have I seen someone so successful in such an endeavor. It was remarkable.
    The bums in this neighborhood make a killing. They probably make more than many working people once you factor in taxes. It's a joke. (I realize this woman wasn't a 'bum' in the conventional sense).

    The white liberal neighborhoods are like goldmines for these bums - here, UWS, etc.

    'Bag Man', on 7th Ave in front of the grocery b/w 1st and 2nd Streets takes car service everyday to and from his begging spot. The rest of them do at least as well, and they would also stab you in the back the first chance they got. I wouldn't be caught dead giving a dime to any of them, except for the tall lanky one w/ the baseball cap (I forget his name) on the corner of 7th and Lincoln I think it is, he is the only one I would trust farther than I could throw, and perhaps Bag Man (but only because he's insane).
  • filmlover44
    filmlover44

    Subject: Re: A curious sight on 7th

    Obamanut wrote: except for the tall lanky one w/ the baseball cap (I forget his name) on the corner of 7th and Lincoln I think it is, he is the only one I would trust farther than I could throw, and perhaps Bag Man (but only because he's insane).

    Vietnam Vet with PTSD? Takes a bike instead of a cab?
  • mpmav1
    mpmav1
    It has become another famous entry for the Park Slope Forum...

    http://curbed.com/archives/2008/03/19/park_slope_panhandlers_dress_for_success.php
  • obamanut
    obamanut

    Subject: Re: A curious sight on 7th

    filmlover44 wrote: [quote=Obamanut]except for the tall lanky one w/ the baseball cap (I forget his name) on the corner of 7th and Lincoln I think it is, he is the only one I would trust farther than I could throw, and perhaps Bag Man (but only because he's insane).

    Vietnam Vet with PTSD? Takes a bike instead of a cab?

    No, the one you're talking about who's always on the bike is Derrick, and I question his self-proclaimed 'Vietnam Vet' status.

    The guy I'm talking about who is OK is always wearing a baseball cap and in front of the small grocery on the corner of 7th and Lincoln I think it is, and is sometimes in front of the Key Food.
  • filmlover44
    filmlover44

    Subject: Re: A curious sight on 7th

    Obamanut wrote:

    No, the one you're talking about who's always on the bike is Derrick, and I question his self-proclaimed 'Vietnam Vet' status.
    Heh, well if he isn't a vet he has quite a vivid imagination.
    Don't know the guy in the baseball cap. We don't have many beggers in the South Slope yet.
  • caseopele
    caseopele

    Subject: Re: A curious sight on 7th

    Obamanut wrote: [quote=filmlover44][quote=Obamanut]except for the tall lanky one w/ the baseball cap (I forget his name) on the corner of 7th and Lincoln I think it is, he is the only one I would trust farther than I could throw, and perhaps Bag Man (but only because he's insane).

    Vietnam Vet with PTSD? Takes a bike instead of a cab?

    No, the one you're talking about who's always on the bike is Derrick, and I question his self-proclaimed 'Vietnam Vet' status.

    The guy I'm talking about who is OK is always wearing a baseball cap and in front of the small grocery on the corner of 7th and Lincoln I think it is, and is sometimes in front of the Key Food.

    That's Jake, he's a nice guy. He knows I'm broke so he doesn't ask me for money. But I give him food sometimes and clothes. He always asks how the kittens are doing.
  • khuntiennang
    khuntiennang
    i fell for this same trick when i visited DC couple of years ago. a women who dressed up nicely, like a business woman, suddenly came up to me on the street asking politely for money to take a cab home to get her car spare key because she was locked out. i gave her money because i thought she really needed help and kinda felt sorry for her. and as i was reaching the end of the street block, i looked back, and i saw her "attacking" another group of people (maybe tourists) for money again. sheesh. i was so stupid then.
  • hamilton
    hamilton
    LongTimeSloper wrote: I find it very intriguing how many people on this board met or followed this woman yesterday. did you all see each other?

    ***************************

    I saw her yesterday and she had 25 people following her, I thought they were her Verizon support team
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