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Wasted Charity and a Need to Vent

April 8, 2008 28 comments

So, I had an interesting encounter this evening whilst strolling through the doors of chapters today. However, this needs a little background to be told first.

A few years back, somewhere on the Southside (I don’t remember precisely where, but I seem to remember coming out of a Timmy’s, or maybe going in to one), I encountered this guy who looked like he’d seen better days to put it mildly. Anyway, he told his tale of woe, that him and his wife and their kids had been traveling from Saskatchewan to somewhere (he did actually say where, but the sands of time have obscured a lot of the details in my memory), and the truck broke down, and they were stuck, and would I loan him some money. Now, I kind of have a policy…I don’t give people money. But, the guy genuinely looked pretty messed up, so I bought him some food, and I drove him back to his truck (or what I THOUGHT was his truck, anyway, but I’m jumping ahead, as I am wont to do). Having seen his actual vehicle (or what he told me was his actual vehicle), I then did actually give him a 20, and went on my merry way.

Fast forward about a year, and I’m in Leduc, coming out of the bank, and who should appear, but the same guy, with the same fucking tale of woe. Well, he caught me off guard, so I just brushed him off and went on my merry way. Within the next couple years, I have encountered this asshole 3 other times that I can remember, the 3rd being tonight, when he strolled on up and started up the same tired old story again. Now, the 3rd time I saw this guy, I told him to fuck himself and left. the 4th time I saw this guy, I absolutely let him have it. You would think he MAYBE would remember that, but apparently it was an unmemorable rant, because here he is again. After I told him off, I entered the store. Maybe 5 minutes later, I see this same guy hitting up a couple just inside the front entrance. As soon as I see the guy reach for his wallet, I headed over, and told him he really shouldn’t. Being decent human beings, they gave me a look like I was worse than Hitler for making the suggestion…until I told them this exact same story. Amazing what the truth will do, as this guy, and everyone else around (a bit of a crowd had gathered by this time) all proceeded to harangue this idiot, followed by him being punted.

Anyway, if you should happen to see this human being, do me a favor, and repeat my mantra that he can fuck himself. I can’t stand this guy. Sure, he’s a lying ingrate who has obviously been riding on this for a LOOOOOONG time, but if I’m completely honest, that isn’t the real reason this asswipe pisses me off to the extent that he does. He pisses me off because I’m a typical, arrogant human being, and typical, arrogant human beings like to think they can size someone up. Well, obviously, I rolled a mental snakeyes when it came to sizing this guy up. As a typical human being, I don’t like being proven completely flat wrong, which is exactly what happened here. and every damn time I see this shit, it gets rubbed in my face all over again.

I kind of find myself wondering…how many people are in the same boat that I am towards this one, solitary person? How many others have felt for the bastard, given him some help, and then had it hurled back in their face when he’s walked up to them 6 or 12 or 18 months later, and told them the exact same story that worked the first time? I mean, he’s tried it on me 5 times, and the last 3, I’ve given him an absolute rant…I doubt I’m the only repeat customer. (It does also bother me that this guy and his act have probably rendered more than a few of these people completely unwilling to ever help anyone who might actually really need it in the future.)

I mean, sure, I’m probably supposed to feel bad for this guy, who obviously has some problems, but I simply cannot bring myself to. All that I feel for this jackass is scorn. I find myself repeating insanely right win mantras about how these people should ‘just get a job’, which I would normally never really think about, but seeing as this dick has pretty made THIS his job, yeah, he probably has had a few fucking opportunities to get back on his feet. He’s obviously doing alright. He’s probably had his chances, but the motherfucker decided to just keep conning people instead. Fuck him.

Posted in The Rage! It Burns!
  • legion

    Yah, I’ve seen that guy too. Or at least a guy with the same story.

    I’m glad to hear you givin’ it to him.

  • legion

    Yah, I’ve seen that guy too. Or at least a guy with the same story.I’m glad to hear you givin’ it to him.

  • Chad

    Yeah, charity can be difficult to wrap your head around at times. Most people want to be helpful, but when they run into leeches like that it can really turn people off.

    I donate a bit of my paycheque to the United Way and honestly I don’t know if it’s much better than giving $20 to a “homeless” guy on the street. I didn’t do any real research into exactly where my money goes, all I do know is that I can claim it on my taxes. I wouldn’t be surprised if most people who donate to charity do it strictly for that reason. Don’t get me wrong. Some people, like Tammy for example, make sure to select specific charities (like donating to the SPCA), but even then how do you know exactly how much of that money actually makes it to supporting your cause and doesn’t get eaten up by “administration”.

    It’s a tough call.

  • Chad

    Yeah, charity can be difficult to wrap your head around at times. Most people want to be helpful, but when they run into leeches like that it can really turn people off.I donate a bit of my paycheque to the United Way and honestly I don’t know if it’s much better than giving $20 to a “homeless” guy on the street. I didn’t do any real research into exactly where my money goes, all I do know is that I can claim it on my taxes. I wouldn’t be surprised if most people who donate to charity do it strictly for that reason. Don’t get me wrong. Some people, like Tammy for example, make sure to select specific charities (like donating to the SPCA), but even then how do you know exactly how much of that money actually makes it to supporting your cause and doesn’t get eaten up by “administration”.It’s a tough call.

  • Liam J.

    That’s rough. I guess he wouldn’t be much of a con-man, though, if he couldn’t con people.

  • Liam J.

    That’s rough. I guess he wouldn’t be much of a con-man, though, if he couldn’t con people.

  • Shaun Guthrie

    I’ve also had this same story given to me a few years back in Londonderry Mall. Could be the same guy. Shame.

  • Shaun Guthrie

    I’ve also had this same story given to me a few years back in Londonderry Mall. Could be the same guy. Shame.

  • Kelly

    I remember seeing that waste of skin outside of the south common Walmart a year or so back. At the time i didn’t have any money to give. Thankfully.

    Good on you for chewing the prick out.

    Kinda reminds me of a story i saw on TV about a baglady in Toronto. She goes out onto the streets everyday and begs/collects bottles etc. She lives in a fancy apartment and makes over 100,000 a year all tax free of course.

  • Kelly

    I remember seeing that waste of skin outside of the south common Walmart a year or so back. At the time i didn’t have any money to give. Thankfully.Good on you for chewing the prick out.Kinda reminds me of a story i saw on TV about a baglady in Toronto. She goes out onto the streets everyday and begs/collects bottles etc. She lives in a fancy apartment and makes over 100,000 a year all tax free of course.

  • El Cliff

    It really wouldn’t surprise me if it was the same dude in every case. Like I said, he’s obviously been up to this for awhile.

    chad : Yeah, sometimes ya do wonder how much of it gets to the actual people. I donate $30 a month to the Stollery, but in their case, I think most of it actually goes towards equipment purchases and patient care.

  • El Cliff

    It really wouldn’t surprise me if it was the same dude in every case. Like I said, he’s obviously been up to this for awhile.chad : Yeah, sometimes ya do wonder how much of it gets to the actual people. I donate $30 a month to the Stollery, but in their case, I think most of it actually goes towards equipment purchases and patient care.

  • Kyle

    Atti and I ran into the same guy, or maybe a “pre-alpha” release of his model something like 12 years ago. We were coming out of the McDonald’s by Casino ABS and he came up and told his sad story about a broken down vehicle and he came out here for a job and he had to help his family and blah blah blah. Well Atti and I decided to give him a ride and as I motioned Atti to ride in the middle position of the ol’ truck I also slipped the knife from my awesome jean jacket and gave Atti a look to say,”If he tries anything, use this.” Well, we drove the guy out to the Canadian Tire gas station in Sherwood Park all the while he was ranting and raving and pounding his fist into the dashboard. We let him off and he went to wherever his imaginary vehicle might be. We didn’t give him any money, so he was probably mad that we drove him around for nothing.

    Ahh… nearly stabbing a hobo in my truck, what memories…

  • Kyle

    Atti and I ran into the same guy, or maybe a “pre-alpha” release of his model something like 12 years ago. We were coming out of the McDonald’s by Casino ABS and he came up and told his sad story about a broken down vehicle and he came out here for a job and he had to help his family and blah blah blah. Well Atti and I decided to give him a ride and as I motioned Atti to ride in the middle position of the ol’ truck I also slipped the knife from my awesome jean jacket and gave Atti a look to say,”If he tries anything, use this.” Well, we drove the guy out to the Canadian Tire gas station in Sherwood Park all the while he was ranting and raving and pounding his fist into the dashboard. We let him off and he went to wherever his imaginary vehicle might be. We didn’t give him any money, so he was probably mad that we drove him around for nothing. Ahh… nearly stabbing a hobo in my truck, what memories…

  • El Cliff

    That is fantastic stuff. The first question this brings up, of course…would Atti have done it? I vote yes, simply because he was trapped in the middle…unless he’s going through the windshield, he has no avenue of escape from the situation.

    Anyway, my guy really didn’t do any ranting and dash pounding, or I would have booted his ass out the car. I do recall him extolling the virtues of some particular brand of gum, though. And not some brief mention…we’re talking a good 5 minutes of detailed gum review.

  • El Cliff

    That is fantastic stuff. The first question this brings up, of course…would Atti have done it? I vote yes, simply because he was trapped in the middle…unless he’s going through the windshield, he has no avenue of escape from the situation.Anyway, my guy really didn’t do any ranting and dash pounding, or I would have booted his ass out the car. I do recall him extolling the virtues of some particular brand of gum, though. And not some brief mention…we’re talking a good 5 minutes of detailed gum review.

  • Liam J.

    I’m given a flash recollection from a couple of weeks ago. I was at the liquor store and as I came out, there was a homeless person outside the store.

    “Do you have any spare change? For groceries.”

    My question, if I hadn’t just walked away, would have been “Why are you asking for food money outside the liquor store?” Of course, I should have known: People who buy liquor are much more generous than those who buy groceries. So she couldn’t just wait outside the Sobey’s or whatever.

  • Liam J.

    I’m given a flash recollection from a couple of weeks ago. I was at the liquor store and as I came out, there was a homeless person outside the store. “Do you have any spare change? For groceries.”My question, if I hadn’t just walked away, would have been “Why are you asking for food money outside the liquor store?” Of course, I should have known: People who buy liquor are much more generous than those who buy groceries. So she couldn’t just wait outside the Sobey’s or whatever.

  • El Cliff

    Actually, Liam, I have a whole different question…what in he Hell were you doing at a liquor store to begin with???

  • El Cliff

    Actually, Liam, I have a whole different question…what in he Hell were you doing at a liquor store to begin with???

  • Chad

    Buying groceries?

  • Chad

    Buying groceries?

  • Liam J.

    As you know, I do not partake of the fire-water, so I will let you stretch your thinkers and dreamers and let you tell me what you think I was doing at the liquor store.

  • Liam J.

    As you know, I do not partake of the fire-water, so I will let you stretch your thinkers and dreamers and let you tell me what you think I was doing at the liquor store.

  • Chad

    Oh! Oh!

    They had a really sweet sale on ice!

  • Chad

    Oh! Oh!They had a really sweet sale on ice!

  • El Cliff

    A man can NEVER have enough ice!

    Uhhh…you don’t drink beer, but you have a weird fixation on beer branded drinking glasses?

    You hate purchasing soft drinks at convenience stores?

    Deep, meaningful discussions about life with the gayass pirate on the Captain Morgan labels?

    Actually, I’m going to guess that your wife was in desperate need of a scotch on the rocks.

  • El Cliff

    A man can NEVER have enough ice!Uhhh…you don’t drink beer, but you have a weird fixation on beer branded drinking glasses?You hate purchasing soft drinks at convenience stores?Deep, meaningful discussions about life with the gayass pirate on the Captain Morgan labels?Actually, I’m going to guess that your wife was in desperate need of a scotch on the rocks.