Good experiences you've have had with homeless people?

Question

Today I passed a homeless man playing an irish whistle for money. I said I was sorry for having no money and he, to my great surprise, said: 'it doesnt matter, you look lovely anyway. Have a merry christmas'

To me, it was a genuine, lovely thing to say. I'm gonna buy him a hot chocolate tomorrow, since I know what street he's usually begging on.

I've also had the great experience of giving a homeless man a tenner and seeing his incredibly shocked face!

x

Answer 1

Without disclosing where i live, let me say that the Homeless problem in my area is an epidemic one. So much so, that it's simply become part of the culture. (and no, i'm not in the US)

i'm an avid bicycle rider and it seems that the most popular way for homeless to get around is by riding bikes that are usually pieced together from scraps of other bikes. I have a homeless man who 'lives' on the outskirts of my neighborhood who knows me from seeing me pass on a daily basis - either in the car or on my bike.

One day, i was riding and i had a tire blow out right near him, so he naturally struck up conversation with me as i patched it. Eyeing my bike over, he asked me if he could try it out once i got the patch. I was a bit freaked out since it's relatively new and a bit more expensive than i can actually afford, but i decided to say yes. (It was an awkward position, though). After he spun up and down the street a bit, he asked me for my toolkit, turned my bicycle over and made a few adjustments to my derailleur - (it's a pain-in-the-*** thing that is very touchy and difficult to fix - i can't do it for the life of me). I kind of sat dumbfounded as he did all this. And not only did he do it, he did it expertly and faster than i've ever seen the guy at the bike shop do it when i go for an adjustment.....and the gears shifted sooooo much better as a result. It was a completely different ride after that. I felt bad b/c i didn't have any money on me to give him, but he didn't even seem to care. I just thanked him repeatedly and left; coming back the next day with 2 new rims, tires and tubes for his bike - the good ones, too! (He was using a mountain bike back wheel with a bmx bike front!) He was so appreciative, he cried. It was a.....well...rewarding/difficult to see/amazing thing for me.

Now, i regularly have him adjust my bike and i repay him in bike parts or food. (I won't give him money, since he IS - apparently - a crack user....terrible shame)

well, that's my story. Hope it was good.

Answer 2

My car got a flat a while back and along came "Daniel". He was dirty, smelled of alcohol and saw me trying to change my own tire. He came up and said "Excuse me maam, but no woman should have to change her own tire. I would be honored to help you." I was shocked, a little afraid of him and wary, but I told him thank you (because I really needed his help.)

We talked the whole time he changed my tire and when he was done, I looked in my wallet to give him some mone for his help. I didn't have a dime. I asked Daniel if he would come with me to get him some money. He climbed into my car and off we went t the bank. He told me about his life, how he became homeless and how he was really alone in the world. I just listened to him and realized he's just a down and out person. I felt really sorry for him. I gave him $60 for helping with my tire.

I went back to find Daniel again on Thanksgiving. He happily agreed to join our family for a meal. He took a shower, got some clean clothes and I took him back to "his place" after the meal.

I count Daniel as a friend. He's opened my eyes to the homeless plight in our country.

Answer 3

Sitting with them and giving them warm meal and talking with them. Learning them and their life and hearing their storys of how they got to where they are.