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Just 'cause you're homeless doesn't mean you have to be rude
Published: 2/9/2012 7:30 AM
Last Modified: 2/8/2012 5:04 PM


A baby hippo -- or, as a particular homeless man might describe it, one of my childhood photos.

I am more than aware I'm not thin. I am, indeed, overweight. Quite, no less, as a doctor confirmed late last year.

So I really don't need people -- including members of our transient population -- pointing out the obvious.

Nevertheless, after I'd picked up my lunch (a grilled chicken salad with salsa, thank you) from Lou's Deli yesterday, I walked back toward the office, passing a familiar homeless guy to my left.

That morning, he asked, "You got change for some coffee or cigarettes?"

"No, I'm sorry," I told him.

Well, when I passed him at lunch, he said, "Better not be eatin' all that."

I laughed and said, "Yeah, you're probably right," and I kept walking.

Then he said, "Because you're starting to look like Hungry Hungry Hippo."

I kept walking, vacillating between amusement and the urge to say something really fourth-grade like, "At least I'm not hungry hungry homeless." But I realized that would be pointless and, above all, completely tacky.

Maybe he was ticked off because I didn't have any change earlier. Still, it's no cause to be rude. I mean, the homeless gentleman across the street on the corner by Arby's is always nice, even smiles and says "thank you" when given change.

Usually, I opt to cut transients some slack, like when they brazenly cross the street when the light's green, holding up traffic -- and you just KNOW it's on purpose. And why not -- they're angry! They're ticked off at their situation, tired of being on the street or having to beg for change or even food. I get it, and I totally have patience for the jaywalking thing.

But hungry hungry dang hippo? Yes, I need to get over it -- and I honestly have laughed at this. But I kinda wanna sidle up to Mr. Rude & Homeless and say, "Look, like my mama told me, you attract more flies with honey -- i.e., when you don't call people hippos, they might be more inclined to give you change when they have it."

But I doubt that would prove useful. In fact, he might knife me. Not to perpetuate a stereotype that transients are violent because, as I said earlier, others I know are pretty polite. I just try to function under the daily belief that anyone, no matter their sex, socioeconomic standing or age, could be packing a firearm or, at the very least, something sharp to end my life.

That said, I'm not sure what my point is, other than I may NEVER wear this green, thick hooded sweater again without Spanx for Men underneath. And, more importantly, if someone's rude to you -- homeless or not -- our first impulse might be to be rude back. But where does that get us? It only feels good for a second, and then you're killed with a knife. Totally not worth it.

Peace, love and hippos -- that, I've been told, really aren't that hungry hungry ... XOXO


Reader Comments 4 Total
HOGRIDER (last year)
I would rather give the guitar guy money. The mayor needs to clean up downtown and not allow these guys to sleep on the benches on Main.
DaniOklahoma (last year)
I am of the school of thought that the homeless should be especially nice considering that they are wanting the public to provide for them. You're a better person than I as I would have AT LEAST pointed out how RUDE that was of them.
I had to tell my fave homeless guy(outside of Arby's in the North Face coat usually mumbling to himself)that he needed to use manners - specifically Please and Thank You when asking for lunch, money, etc.
Maybe we could suggest Ettiquette Classes be taught at the Day Center and Salvation Army?
not normal (last year)
Jason, a few years back at the corner of I-44 and Peoria the regular homeless guy was standing there with his "will work for food" sign. As I had just bought some lunch I offered him half my sandwich, he got all jacked up and told me if I ate any more I was going to explode. I told him he should probably stand back out of harms way in case that actually did happen, I then rolled up my car window and drove off. When I came back by about an hour later the popo were putting him into a police car. Apparently someone else didn't appreciate the rudeness.
JArcher087 (last year)
Another reason to cut the homeless some slack--a lot of them are mentally ill and untreated, or worse, undiagnosed and/or in denial about it.
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Living Wright

While other kids were watching "The Smurfs," Scene Writer Jason Ashley Wright was tuned in to "Style with Elsa Klensch." By fourth grade, he knew he wanted to write, and spent almost three years publishing a weekly teen-oriented magazine, Teen-Zine -- circulation: 2. After earning a degree in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi, he became the medical reporter and teen board coordinator for the Hattiesburg (Miss.) American, a Gannett newspaper. Eight months later, with visions of Elsa dancing in his head, he applied for the fashion writer position at the Tulsa World, where he began working on Aug. 3, 1998. He is now a general assignment reporter for Scene.

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