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Down on the Corner
Things to Look for in a Panhandler
As I’ve mentioned before, I lived in Oklahoma City for a number of years. One thing that struck me about the area was the large number of panhandlers. I saw a number of different techniques employed. Some impressed me more than others.
By the way, not all panhandlers aren't the same. Do I think all panhandlers are scan artists? No. Though no doubt some are. Have some people fallen through the cracks in society? Yes. With that disclaimer, we’ll consider some observations about panhandling and give the appropriate awards.
The award for the worst performance by a panhandler goes to…
The woman who approached me outside of a McDonald’s. As I pulled up and got out of the vehicle, I could see her putting on her game face. The woman appeared to be pregnant. I say that because some panhandlers have been known to fake a pregnancy.
Anyway, I saw I was in her sights and felt running wasn’t a viable option, so I braced myself for verbal impact. Her story was simple. She was pregnant and said her boyfriend was abusive.
I’ve got to say I wasn’t impressed by the story or performance. This lady needed a better scriptwriter. Personally, her story indicated she needed more help than a couple of bucks for a Big Mac. Asking…
