This doesn't fill me with much goodwill. I know, I know, we're supposed to ignore people like this guy in New York, or yes, everywhere else. But does it take much to ask his name? And say hello again to him tomorrow? He is a person, even if he's loud. He's a person. Perhaps tomorrow his name is, what did someone say on here, "Carl" ...? "Hey Carl! How's it goin?" "Having a bad day today for me, Carl, I can't talk today. Wish me luck, I'm going on a job interview." "Hey Carl, I have this extra 'Get a Free Coffee Card' if you want it." "Hey Carl, they closed this whole line - now what do I do to get to 7th ave?" "Merry Christmas Carl." Humanity starts between me and you and me and Carl. In my horribly conservative, uptight, town, we have James. James and his dog Callie. James is a part of our community and even if the Powers that Be in our town walk by him as if he is nothing -James is a person too. "Merry Christmas James. Merry Christmas Callie."
2
More proof, if any were needed, that New Yorkers are, at bottom, truly decent people.
13
Some one once said that sometimes looking into dark places you find the brightest treasures. It perspective and thanks for sharing your experience.
15
In my experience the E goes to 8th Ave...and then 6th.
Your experience then would seem to be very limited. The stations of the E train after it enters Manhattan from Queens are Lexington Ave, Fifth Avenue, Seventh Avenue (all along 53rd St) and then 50th Street, 42nd St, etc. (all down Eighth Avenue). So the E does indeed go TO Seventh Avenue (not up or down 7th Ave).
8
Yet another helpful New Yorker!
17
I think I've seen this fellow if this is the E-M Downtown side train stop at 53rd St. and Fifth Ave. If so, he's been a mainstay there for at least 15 years. Unfortunately, he was stabbed on the platform there many years ago though luckily survived. I believe his name is Carl. I call him "Mr. Philosopher." He pontificates rather loudly in his deep colorful voice on many topics and is quite funny, though also misognystic at times. I figure he's had a few bad life experiences with women. I like him a great deal for his boldness, intelligence and wit. In my opinion, NYC needs more fellows like him, as shown by his good samaritan behavior in this short story and his entertaining, and often quite enlightening, lecturing of workaday passengers at this particular subway stop. He means well and is usually very good-natured. God bless Carl!
53
By the way, Carl has never asked me for money, and I've never seen him ask anyone for anything. He is a pure philosopher and "public square" speaker. I have, however, given him money on occasion as I believe he deserves it and such speakers should be supported.
29
I think it's rude to ignore people who address you. If they ask for money, politely decline or give money, as you will. But ignoring people based on assumptions is rude.
29
I wonder whether Paul has actually engaged with all those who ask for a handout, even "politely yes, or no"?
Then what's next when you decide to move on? Inevitably there is the person's next request, and sooner or later you will have to break it off by ignoring something said...and yes it does feel rude which is what the asker is depending on.
Then what's next when you decide to move on? Inevitably there is the person's next request, and sooner or later you will have to break it off by ignoring something said...and yes it does feel rude which is what the asker is depending on.
3
I wonder whether billyen1 has actually ever been subject to real poverty in his own life, to the degradation of living visibly among people who regard you as less than human for whatever circumstances, unknown to them, have brought you to such a low point.
At least the man who is the subject of this essay is living out loud, not letting them get to him, and performing a public service in the process. Who's to say he's not making a contribution to society in his own way, maybe his only way?
At least the man who is the subject of this essay is living out loud, not letting them get to him, and performing a public service in the process. Who's to say he's not making a contribution to society in his own way, maybe his only way?
25
I wonder if you'd change your tune if you were a woman. Not everyone who engages is a predator, sure, but unfortunately predators often take advantage of people's inclination to answer questions. Answer one, here comes another, and it escalates from there. A stranger doesn't know whether someone is a predator or innocently engaging.
30
This anecdote illustrates that we are so wrong to see people as "bad" or "good." Human beings are complex creatures. There are lots of homeless people in my neighborhood in San Francisco. I have found, time and time again, that even when someone looks or acts "crazy," he/she will usually respond gratefully when I even give a simple smile and "hello, have a nice day." In big cities, especially, people are feeling so alienated and unloved, the result often being "crazy" behavior.
57
Nice story.
26
Hilarious! Loved this.
18
En route from 5th Ave and 53rd Street, the downtown E train stops at 7th Ave and 54th Street, then to 8th ave and 50th, then 42nd and 8th, 34th and 8th, 23 and 8th, 14th and 8th, etc. Lived there for 50 years...took that train very frequently for 40 years...have been away for too long, but that is what it used to do...hoping it still does.