In the summer, a Big Issue seller appeared outside our local Waitrose. She was there in all weathers and when I saw here while shopping, I would buy her a coffee if it was cold outside or a cold drink if it was hot. Sometimes a huge muffin. She was always polite and perfectly pleasant until one day, when I asked her if she would like a drink, she shook her head and said quite abruptly: 'No drinks, Nappies.' I was a little taken aback but I agreed. 'I have two babies...so two sets of nappies.'
I went into Waitrose and bought the two sets of nappies. I haven't bought them for a long time - but I was amazed how expensive they were.
When I got home, my OH - who is generally quite soft - was quite angry that I had been 'taken advantage of...'. We are not wealthy but comfortable enough.....
Then when I saw the girl again, she looked as if she was going to ask me again. I ducked into Waitrose and I have been avoiding her ever since. But it makes me feel as if I am a terrible person. I don't know what situation she is in - but I understood that selling the Big Issue was intended to help people avoid begging. Was this begging - asking a stranger for nappies? But I simply cannot afford to support her in this way....
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to want to avoid someone because they made me buy them something...
48 replies
Punkatheart · 16/12/2010 20:21
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