My colleague and I were in Paris, getting a bite to eat before our morning meeting. We sat at one of those tiny tables at an outdoor café. From the corner of my eye I saw someone approach us. Before I knew what was happening, a disheveled homeless woman reached out to my plate and she grabbed my omelette with her bare hands. The runny egg-and-cheese mass oozed out of her fingers and squished down her wrist. She slurped the entire thing down in one swallow. We began protesting, but were a little hesitant, because she was brandishing a glass bottle in her other hand. The café owner ran out, shooed her away and apologized, but by then we had both lost our appetites
-- Carole H., Austin
I've never had this happen in a 1st world nation but I have while living in the 3rd world. It left me with feelings of both anger & shame -- initial anger that my meal had been interrupted rudely & shame that I was eating without second thought in the presence of those who could not afford the basic necessities in life. It made me realize that I was probably the rude one. By the way, I didn't see Carole's story as being judgmental in any way. All the same, I wouldn't want to reinforce such behavior on the part a most likely mentally ill person that grabbing food off of other's plates is a great way to get a free meal. Instead I would suggest that we all find a way to give a healthy donation to a reputable charity which aids the homeless in all the ways that they need assistance.
I don't agree with Sheri. If this would have happened to me, I would have been disgusted. However, if the woman would have asked for a meal, I would have gladly obliged. Theft is still theft.
WHAT HAS THIS WORLD COME TO?? WHAT IF EVERY ONE OF US FELT THAT KIND OF HUNGER, JUST ONCE!!MAYBE WE'D BE MORE COMPELLED TO OFFER HER SEAT AND A MEAL...LET'S NOT JUDGE TOO HARSHLY...THAT COULD BE US ONE DAY...NO ONE'S ABOVE IT...THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS A TEST...WE HAVE TO GIVE TO GIVE TO RECEIVE!!!!
Carole-I would have felt the same way. You work hard for your money, therefore you can afford to eat. Others who dont...dont eat.
Sorry
Adrienne-Houston,TX
Wow, Sheri, that's really judgmental of you.
Maybe they would have been more charitable if she didn't just run up and steal their food. Why, the homeless woman could have- gasp- asked someone for help if she was so deperate. This is reality, not Hugo's Paris, and that was a threatening, unstable woman committing a crime. Don't turn her into Jean Valjean.
Too bad you didn't think to offer to buy her a much needed meal instead of being repulsed.
--Sheri A., Ohio
Post new comment