Brother can you spare a dime?

I just got back from a shortened walk during my lunch. It’s gorgeous outside – really sunny and warm so I thought I would get away from my desk and go for a walk. I’m used to people asking me for money. It happens on every corner downtown and sometimes I hand over a loonie and sometimes I say “no, sorry.” I am SO TIRED of being accosted for one thing or another. Either I’m being asked for change or some crazy person is calling me names or someone is handing out flyers or papers. I just want to walk down the sidewalk – to my destination without constantly being bombarded with requests. Today took the cake though and I wanted to write it while my blood is still boiling! Oh my GOD! There is some demonstration going on at the Art Gallery grounds. People are raising money (of course) and awareness about homelessness. No less than 4 times in one block, there was an attempt to hand me a flyer / ask for a donation. I said “No, thank you.” This GIRL said to me “You’re an awful person!! You don’t give a damn!” Holy shit. Horns of rage horns of rage. If they stopped rattling their can at me every 10 seconds I might have taken their god damn flyer. I come downtown to MAKE money, not to give it away and if I gave everyone a dollar who asked me for one I would be out there rattling my own can! I’m so upset that this 17 year old called me awful and heartless. I give money to charity. I give a fair chunk of money to charities every year. I do give money to homeless people now and then. Who the hell is she to judge me!?!? Who is she to tell me I don’t care about people less fortunate than me! Does that mean I have to give away everything I own and go live with the destitute in Bangladesh like Mother Theresa? I’m not that selfless but I care about people. She doesn’t know anything about me. Ok – rage has turned to grief now. I’m sad. Soon I will have acceptance and will be able to carry on with my day. Thanks for reading my rant. There are probably a lot of spelling mistakes (John – I know you’ll want to point them out) but I am typing like a madwoman because I’m upset and because my lunch is over in 8 minutes.