I'm going to go out on a limb here and speculate that most big cities have their fair share of, for lack of a better term, off-balance citizens. Regardless of that fact, it's little comfort when you're walking down the street and you see the approach of another in a long line of derelicts who will, inevitably, ask you, in a roundabout way, for money. I've reached such a boiling point in frustration with these encounters that I usually just cut them off before they even start into their schpiel with a, "I don't have anything." That seems to be the best medicine for avoiding a drawn out diatribe that always ends in the same pleading request for a handout. This type of thing irks me in more ways than one.

First off, I'm almost insulted by the fact that these people seem to behave as if they are smarter than the average joe on the street. How else to explain the long stories that are a desperate effort to separate you from your money? I also find it interesting that the stories never vary either. Where's the logic behind encountering the same person in two different locations who just happens to have a car that broke down and is in need of gas? That's a pretty unreliable vehicle, my friend. Then there are the people who need money for bus fare. How is it that you got here in the first place? My favorite might be the ones who ask for an uneven, odd amount of change. "Do you have thirty-nine cents?"

One, I don't believe any part of your story. Two, even if you don't remember me, I do remember you, so I can piece together the illogic of your story. Three, I'm smart enough to realize that you're just asking for an odd amount of money in an effort to receive what you're really asking for, more money.

The other thing that bothers me is that these people are given free reign to perch wherever they want. There is nowhere where they aren't allowed to set up shop. Pittsburgh has passed a new set of ordinances that are supposed to crack down on the panhandling and enforce restrictions as to where and how long one is allowed to go about this business. Whether or not it's enforced is another thing. The City Paper had an article about the effect the ordinances will have on panhandlers, especially those who aren't aware of them. In an effort to portray the real victims of these laws, the article profiled a woman who asks for money because her government subsidy isn't enough for rent and food. Granted, that's a true case of the system not taking care of those who need it most, but I'll freely admit that I'm prejudiced against all panhandlers because I honestly cannot ascertain if any of them are really in need of money for food and essentials. They mention this in the article, but when you encounter enough people who are obviously looking for a handout for illegitimate purposes, it's hard not to view them all with suspicion.