Spare a cigarette?

What is up with that guy that hangs around the lower end of Union Street between 6th and 7th (closer to 6th / Union Market) asking smoker and non-smoker alike for a cigarette. Middle-aged guy with really thick glasses. What is up with him?

His brain is fried.
he used to drop acid, and now he's a medical basket case.

Ah that would definitely fit the profile
He is annoying

How could he determine who is a smoker or non-smoker?

I suppose he can't really determine the smokers from the non-smokers other than to target the people that are actually smoking. He's just really desperate for cigarettes whenever I see him. I don't really feel like engaging him in a conversation about it but it seems as though he is not homeless and broke and it would spare everyone alot of annoyance if he just went and bought them himself. Back when cigarettes were not as expensive as a down payment on a car it was ok to ask strangers for a cigarette, now it's just another form of begging but it's not done by the homeless or needy, it's done by people who are perfectly capable of getting their own but choose not to. I smoke but I don't ask strangers for cigarettes. Should I ask strangers for some of their coffee or a bite of their hot dog? It's absurd. If you aren't broke and homeless get your own damn cigarettes. Don't offer me a quarter either, I'm not a bodega or a Duane Reade.

He lives up the block and from unsubstantiated rumors owns the building he lives in. I would estimate the number if times he has asked me for a cigarette at about 800.

I very rarely hand out smokes to people who ask on the street. Sometimes I'm feelin' in a good mood and will do so, just to remember moments later how much that damn pack was. If they REALLY need smokes get a bag of rollies. It's like $5 and will last you two weeks.

He is fried, obviously. And he used to spend all his s.s. checks on hookers.

Then why doesn't he ask random people on the street to bum a hooker?

arock75 wrote: Then why doesn't he ask random people on the street to bum a hooker?

that reminds me of a guy i used to see in front of Roseland who had a sign that said "Need money for beer, drugs and hookers. Hey, atleast I'm not bullshitting you". I respected this honesty then and I respect it now.

Doesn't sound like you made a contribution though

did i say i didn't?

no you didn't say. did you?

rtraindweller wrote: [quote=arock75]Then why doesn't he ask random people on the street to bum a hooker?

that reminds me of a guy i used to see in front of Roseland who had a sign that said "Need money for beer, drugs and hookers. Hey, atleast I'm not bullshitting you". I respected this honesty then and I respect it now.
I'd give Mr. Honesty money before I'd give to one of those bums saying "God Bless you" repeatedly.

arock75 wrote: I suppose he can't really determine the smokers from the non-smokers other than to target the people that are actually smoking. He's just really desperate for cigarettes whenever I see him. I don't really feel like engaging him in a conversation about it but it seems as though he is not homeless and broke and it would spare everyone alot of annoyance if he just went and bought them himself. Back when cigarettes were not as expensive as a down payment on a car it was ok to ask strangers for a cigarette, now it's just another form of begging but it's not done by the homeless or needy, it's done by people who are perfectly capable of getting their own but choose not to. I smoke but I don't ask strangers for cigarettes. Should I ask strangers for some of their coffee or a bite of their hot dog? It's absurd. If you aren't broke and homeless get your own damn cigarettes. Don't offer me a quarter either, I'm not a bodega or a Duane Reade.

Word. I never give. Unless I'm drunk and they're cute.

arock75 wrote: no you didn't say. did you?

Nope, sure didn't say I didn't! Cause I did indeed. My 14 year old ass decided "now this guy is cool" and gave him $3. Coulda bought myself some 311 stickers with that, damn...

raw wrote: [quote=rtraindweller][quote=arock75]Then why doesn't he ask random people on the street to bum a hooker?

that reminds me of a guy i used to see in front of Roseland who had a sign that said "Need money for beer, drugs and hookers. Hey, atleast I'm not bullshitting you". I respected this honesty then and I respect it now.
I'd give Mr. Honesty money before I'd give to one of those bums saying "God Bless you" repeatedly.
word x10