I’m sitting in the waiting area of a luxury car dealership. Half the seats are stained. The ice-cold air is thick with the smell of motor oil and coffee that should be spread rather than poured. The T.V. mounted in the corner is blurring "The Price is Right". I'm slightly amused by the two salesmen that trot back and forth sharing jokes. Strangely, I feel like I’m at a childcare center rather than a car dealership.
I’m distracted by a warm gush of air. I turn to see an olive skinned man walk into the waiting room. He was tall, thin, blond hair, and dark eyes. He smiled and came toward me. I barely had time to wonder what he wanted before he was handing me a worn 3x5 card…
... this card reads: Hello, I'm deaf. Please buy this card to help me support me. Thank you
Seriously?
A) I am here trying to buy a car so I have no money to give you.
B) I am here having my car repaired so I have no money to give you.
C) Is it not illegal to solicit inside a place of business?
2) If one is attempting to sale something and his/hers survival is dependent on the sale of that item, shouldn’t it be a little more creative? A postcard with a stick figure on it…
3) I understand that this person has a disability; he’s deaf. However, if this person is indeed hearing impaired, is he not receiving or eligible to receive government funds for that disability?
I have known people who are deaf and have jobs. In fact, they were hired specifically because they were deaf and/or mute. Obviously, this person’s legs and hands were not impaired. Why could he not walk into a business and hand someone an application rather than a dingy postcard? If being deaf renders one incapable of working or doing anything productive to earn a living, does that mean that I too am disabled? Am I to be expectant of others to finance my life? If so, does being Black and Female count as dual disabilities thus making me more entitled?
The fact is there will always be poor people. I understand that. I’m a single mother of two in college so I understand. What I cannot justify is a Young (under 40), White, Male, walking around panhandling. There is only one word to describe such behavior…
NIGGERISH
I just mentioned the top three qualifications of must corporations. In addition, if this person is indeed deaf, are my tax dollars not enough?
I know there are many people who are seriously in need presently and many more who are one paycheck away from homelessness. I am not insensitive to that.
But this …
is insulting. I would have felt better if this person had just walked up and said/signed, “Hey, you look stupid, I bet you’ll give me your money. How much are you willing to throw away today?”
