Why Flying A Sign Isn't Cool

[Townes]

[quote:8aeda1df3e="sturedman"]This a really interesting thread. I have worked the last 27 years. I have never asked anyone for anything but a job. I lived in Cincinnati for most of that. In town, on the way to ball games, shows, and dinners, etc. there is always a line of people asking for money. That seems to be the only skill they have. They reek of alcohol, they are dirty, and take no pride in themselves. I do not condon that, nor do I give them money. If I pick up a hitchhiker (only with a pack and I know they are traveling). I will go out my way for them, I will feed them, and I will give them some cash if I have it, if they show respect for what I have to do to get it. I hitchiked a lot in the 70's and always appreciated it. The difference is, I was always able to do something for the person if they gave me money. I always worked. I have done some ugly jobs and sold plasma, but I never stuck my hand out and said "give me". Nobody gave it to them, they shouldn't have to give it away. Show me you are on your way to something, or that you have value in your life. Don't tell me "I hate jobs". I don't know many that don't hate thier job, but it's a responsibility we have to accept. My children are raised, my marriage is about history, and I am heading back out on the road. I will find odd jobs, I will work, and I will not ask for free. I will stay at shelters, I will eat at the soup kitchens and the food pantries. Over the years I have donated a lot, and volunteered alot for them, so I feel I have earned it. But I will also ask if there is something I can do that day to help them out. Even if serving for the day, before I leave. I know a lot has changed in 30 yrs, but I don't think human nature did. I was never refused a meal, if I asked if I could wash dishes, clean the parking lots, clean the toilets...what ever. But I was never refused, and a majority of the time, they gave me money as well. I don't think you are born with the right to be taken care of by others who have to do what you won't.

Hopefully I won't get booted from the site for this rant, but I had to add my little piece.[/quote:8aeda1df3e]

[kabuki_mono]

I agree, flying a sign isn't cool - which is why I don't. I just sit down, stick my hat out and pick at my thoughts for however long is necessary or I deem so.
All from a very humble and poor perspective of course. I only do this when I have nothing I wouldn't feel fine with myself doing so if I had some sort of change in my pocket I could use to get by.

K.m

[Karp]

I'm still pretty new...I guess I'd say flying a sign would be a last resort? I did it once. I made a few bucks but felt like it just wasn't me. I think there are many ways to be much more creative? I may end up flying a sign again, but I do know it draws the police to you. I have always been a pretty shy person. Then when I got out there on the road, I chose (was forced) to open up more. I started talking to people. I did odd jobs to earn money. I made new friends through doing this. Having a positive attitude is the most important thing in the world. If i were sorta down and depressed, I couldn't find a way to make money. When I smiled and struck up a conversation with someone, if they could, they always helped me in some way, shape or form.

Glad to find this thread. The only thing I guess I would say after all of these comments...people (not talking about anyone here so much) should just be greatful. When I was on the streets, I saw people in shelters, churches, etc...who were eating free food, getting free stuff, who were just totally ungreatful and expected these things. Just say thank you and think about how amazing it is to be able to do what we do. We totally rely on the kindness of strangers. That's the whole point of what we do. We are free to do what we want, when we want, and how we want. That's freedom.

I think that everyones situation is different. Some people are still finding their way. If flying a sign is all you know for now...I say go for it. Peace.

[kabuki_mono]

I saw people in shelters, churches, etc...who were eating free food, getting free stuff, who were just totally ungreatful and expected these things. Just say thank you and think about how amazing it is to be able to do what we do. We totally rely on the kindness of strangers. That's the whole point of what we do. We are free to do what we want, when we want, and how we want. That's freedom.
.

Word!!!

K.m

[RangerChris]

Ive never had to fly a sign I think its better to network and find temporary work. A guy today was flyin "Travelin, broke as a joke, anything helps" So I grab him a muffin with my lunch, ate and went to talk to him. As Im tellin him where to find some work he pulls out a pack of smokes instead of a pouch/ rollies and I thought to myself you know what Im eatin this muffin. If your smokin pre-rolled smokes you aint broke enuf...

[Karp]

As Im tellin him where to find some work he pulls out a pack of smokes instead of a pouch/ rollies and I thought to myself you know what Im eatin this muffin. If your smokin pre-rolled smokes you aint broke enuf...

Not saying that this was the situation with the guy you were talking to, RangerChris...but this made me think of something that I experienced on the road.

On one occasion, I was walking through a park near San Pedro, CA at 1 am or so...I saw a group of teenagers sitting over at a picnic table smoking cigarettes. When I asked them if I could bum a smoke, this one kid gave me his entire pack of cigarettes. He told me that he didn't smoke very often anyway...so, I didn't have a dime at the time, but had almost a full pack of pre-rolled smokes on me, thanks to the kindness of strangers.

On another occasion, I was in Costa Mesa, CA sitting at a bus stop. This time I had a pouch of Bugler rollies. As I was rolling a smoke, I heard someone beep their horn. When I looked up, I saw a guy in a construction truck trying to get my attention. The light turned green and he had to move...but he threw a pack of cigarettes out of his window to me. This pack wasn't full, but I was just amazed at how many smokers out there felt my pain, so to speak lol....

Just thought I'd share that little tid-bit

Peace

[RangerChris]

Seen the same dude flyin the same sign last week, asked him if he found some temp jobs and he had and been paid that day but still was flyin "broke as a joke"...

[Karp]

lame

[beatfeet]

I had just came back from the reservation one day with a carton of marlboro reds when I saw some guy on a beat up bicycle "snipe hunting" outside a walmart in the break area. Being in that guys position not even a month before, I threw him a deck of smokes and he about fell over "for me, I can just have em?" He said with the most shocked look on his face... For me that was wellworth helping the guy out just the look on his face. Mind you he wasn't bugging any one or flying a sign, I just performed a random act of kindness. I think I got more from it than he did...

[kevbo610]

a week ago i was on the ramp hitching east, from brazil, indiana. had a sign saying " ohio". a local guy pulled over and handed me a $50 bill! we shot the shit for a moment: he said that his business had done such great business lately that he wanted to spread the wealth. i had eaten nothing but p-butter for the last week. i almost cried. there are some great people on this big marble.