Having spent much of my time in New York and in French cities, I think I can make a fair assessment of the homeless people of both cultures. Living in Lyon, bums were so prevalent in my neighborhood that we had affectionate nicknames for them, like Naked Bum and Wretched Bum (who sometimes walked with a cane slumped over, and other times was walking just fine). These characters never really aggressively asked for anything, and if you didn't want to give them anything, they didn't care. Most of you have had your sketchy experience with NYC bums, but most are gracious and say "God Bless You," or offer different payment options, like one creative guy in Washington Square Park who accepts Visa, Amex, and NYU Campus Cash.
Well, last night my friends experienced the ultimate worst encounter with a homeless person. While eating outside, a bum approached their table and asked for money and or food. They refused, as grad students are more possessive of food that they've paid for than most. As "revenge," he did something unreal, yet also believable. The man dropped trow in the middle of the sidewalk and POOPED right in front of them. In broad daylight.
Hearing this story reminded me of walking to class yesterday, when a man clearly on his way to work, whipped it out and started peeing on a car right in front of us, ignoring the free public toilets half a block away. Now, I don't know if there's something here about exhibitionism that just doesn't exist in the US, but I've never seen a Wall Street broker pee on a car during the morning rush. Funny that the words "etiquette" and "hygiene" are both of French origin.
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that is disgusting, even for me. makes you wonder if all that poop on french sidewalks is actually from dogs. if that ever happens to you, just dump water on his ass as he poos and tell him it's a bidet.
ReplyDeleteThe sidewalk bums in England would have dogs with them. I would give them money and ask them to buy dog food. I worried more about the dogs than the bums.
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