The stories keep pouring in, and I’m sort of like an addict — I have said “No more.” But I renege. I’m going to publish four more little notes, and then swear off. Really! And I thank you all.

1.

I was walking out of the public-transit station here in Atlanta, and a panhandler approached me to ask for 60 cents. He said he needed train fare. I smiled, reached out, and handed him a shiny new token, at the time worth a little over 75 cents. He looked at me with withering contempt and said, “What the [heck] am I supposed to do with this?”

2.

My wife and daughter were in San Francisco, and they ate at TGI Friday’s — the one at Fisherman’s Wharf. They walked out to see a guy, in the entryway of the restaurant, sitting in a wheelchair and wearing dark glasses. He had a sign that said “Blind and paralyzed” and a begging bowl. As they stood there, a couple of teenagers came out of the restaurant, and one of them reached into the bowl and took some money. Then they walked away. The beggar ripped off his dark glasses, jumped out of the chair, and went after them.
I know it sounds like a joke, but my wife and daughter swear they saw it.

3.

I’m walking down a street in downtown Detroit with a first date on my arm. I’m approached by a young man who claims to work in the church across the street. He has finished work, the church is locked, and he needs to get home. Could I give him some bus money? Don’t want my date to think poorly of me, so, sure, here’s 5 dollars. Many thank you’s and God bless you’s.
Two weeks later, same street, different companion. Same young man, same story. I say, “That’s the same story you gave me two weeks ago!” He replies, “Has it been that long already?”

4.

One night as I was going to my car, a very ripe homeless man came up and, clearly drunk, asked me for some money. I told him I didn’t have any and he persisted, so I pulled out my wallet and opened it, to show him it was empty. At that point he said, “Aw, man, you really don’t have any money,” and he took pity on me, pulling out his sizable roll of cash and offering me several bills of varying denominations.

I’ve never met that particular panhandler! Look, there are truly desperate and needy people on the street, no doubt. In a sense, the scammers spoil things for them.