“Got any spare change?” is a question I am asked numerous times per week as I stroll the downtown streets of the small city near where I live now. It’s a nice city with a decent downtown filled with restaurants, banks, a couple of performing arts theaters, coffee shops, second hand bookstores, mom and pop businesses, but, unfortunately, far too many panhandlers.
I have nothing against those who have fallen upon tough times and understand that it can happen to anyone – all it takes is a series of misfortunes in quick succession and you may be on the street or a homeless shelter. However, what I don’t understand is those who are on the street asking for “spare change.” Similar to my “extra cigarette” comment in a previous post, what is “spare change”? Is it money I don’t intend to spend, money earmarked for the panhandlers, money in the opposite pocket of where I usually carry it? I’m tired of the expression and, frankly, tired of being approached by people on the street who, it appears, refuse to help themselves and are digging a deeper hole by wasting (or should I say “wasted”) their day.
John Berkovich Talks 