I don’t typically confront beggars, but when Tania hears one of them say the word “whore” after we walk in the store… I tried to think of a word that, when said by a beggar could sound like “whore”, but couldn’t think of anything. So, when we were leaving the store, I thought I’d ask…

Of course, what beggar in their right mind is going to admit to calling someone a whore? He denied it, slurring that he’d said she was sweet. Fucking drunk. I’d have been tempted to rid this drunken Maritime fisherman (Department of Redundancy Department) of some teeth if I’d have actually heard him say anything… Less so based on third hand information, even if it comes from my wife; though she figures I don’t trust her word, I’m sure.

From what I hear of Atlanta panhandlers, I figure I’m just ramping up for full on crazy from Maritime drunk. If I hear one bad word out of this fucker’s face in the future (and I don’t have to get to work…), I’m thinking it’s time to report an assault…

For the record, I don’t tend to give change, but I make eye contact and I say “No”; not “sorry” or “fuck you” or “get a job”. Many beggars in the areas we’ve lived in know my dog by name, and are happy to pat her on the head rather than ask for coins. Those that I did know, I’d occasionally help out in some small ways, but they didn’t ask for anything; the dynamic had changed somehow.