"Two dollars to kiss your butt." That's what I heard a woman say to me as I walked through my neighborhood Saturday evening. Or at least what I thought I heard. I asked her to repeat herself, and then I heard her question accurately: "Two dollars to catch the bus."
I denied her request. I have found that in a vast majority of cases that people who approach me to ask for money are usually lying. So I don't give them money. Except when I do.
Several months ago I was walking downtown to go to Gurley's to pick up a prescription. A man approached me and started to tell me a story. If I recall correctly, he claimed to be distantly related to one of the Staples Singers or another act. He continued on with his story, and I listened intently, being entertained. Against my usual "don't give money" rule, I went ahead and gave this man a few dollars. He was very friendly, and he entertained me. I did so in the hope that he would spend it wisely on some food to nourish his body, or some coffee to keep him warm. There is a certain point where, when you act out of kindness, that you need to "let go" and trust that the person you give a gift to will use it in the way that it is intended.
Getting back to the "kiss your butt" story, the woman who approached me reminded me a lot of another woman I had experienced in the neighborhood about a year and a half ago. She was affectionally referred on our neighborhood mailing list as "The Booty Wagging Lady"! And that described exactly what she did; she stood on the corner and waved her big 'ol booty at passing motorists. She also would approach stopped cars soliciting for sex. There was also a time when she feigned the need for a ride and then told the driver to give her $20 or she would scream rape. Such a lovely woman. She was eventually arrested on weapons charges!
So I find myself wondering. Is the Booty Wagging Woman back? Time will tell.
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