Over the past two days, I have struck up conversations with everyone I can reach.
It's relatives, friends, cashiers, fellow travelers, bus drivers, people next to me at a coffee shop, artists who are showing their exhibitions, etc. Desperation? Searching for acceptance or normality? A genuine human interest? A grasping for an anchor in the abnormal normality of everyday life? Searching for support? Well, it's just how it went.
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A beggar approached me a couple of hours ago and pleaded that he needed a contribution to his cash flow. "I've been walking here for three hours and no one wants to help me. Give me twenty. A pizza costs 13." I offered ten and wondered if I looked rich, or just stupid?
"The minimum withdrawal is 20. Can't you do that?" I looked down at the ground and thought that I was helping someone, and that my reward was that I was doing it for "content". So I went with him. We headed to the nearest ATM and I got to listen to a story about how he had a suitcase locked at the train station and that he needed to get home.
I took out twenty for him, "Can't you give me twenty more so I can get closer to my goal home? I need 75. Can you give me that?" No, I think 20 is good enough. He shows no gratitude at all. Is inflation that high these days? If I gave 2 to someone who was begging a year ago, they would have been grateful. This joker doesn't even react. I don't even feel like I've done a good deed and helped someone in need. His story is probably made up.
I'm too experienced to be fooled. You just read my winnings...