The Art of Begging
Sitting on the N train, heading towards Penn station, I was surprised as a beggar came my way. What caught me off guard was the grace and sincerity in his voice. He began by saying that he’d accept anything that anyone could give him. But his next line brought a smile to my face. He said that if you couldn’t give him anything, he’d instead accept a smile as he walked by. Hearing that, I didn’t care if he really was a Vietnam veteran or if his house got burned or if his family got robbed at the motel they were staying in. Just because he brought that smile on my face, I was ready to give him whatever I could afford. This made me think he was probably one of the most successful beggars out there. I began to look at begging as an art, since it required the manipulation of words and emotions. I now see begging as a competition, a competition to win my money.
November 19th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Beggars do use art- the art of persuasion that is, through sincerity, flattery, entertainment….and other stuff that I am probably missing.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:06 am
I just wonder how much $$$ you gave the poor and sincere guy. I no longer fall for the beggars’ smile or anything, I mean there are just so many out there that you don’t know who to pity for. So, now and then, I just give it to anyone who I truly believe can’t get a job.