Aggressive Panhandling?

So, I had this idea.  It was motivated by a number of things.  First, I have heard many times that Winnipeg is a very generous city.  Second, I heard a lot during the recent civic election that people are finding those who engage in aggressive panhandling as a threat to their personal safety.  Thirdly, that local foot patrols are cracking down on panhandlers.  Fourth, that the stigma regarding mental health issues is going away and people are willing to talk about it. 

So, October 30, I was going to do a two-part experiment.  On October 30, I was going to sit on the corner of River and Osborne with a sign that said "Broke(n).  Please help."  On October 31, I was going to sit on Portage and Donald with a sign that said, "Lonely.  Please talk,"  I was going to dress down on October 30 and dress respectively on October 31. 

If you look closely, you can see me on the corner.  When I set out that day, I was so pleased that it was such a beautiful fall day.  I thought I maybe had put on one layer too many.  Until I took my post.  You don't realize how cold you actually are until you stop moving.  Sitting in one position, I was freezing and when I got up to move around so that my extremities wouldn't "freeze", I warmed up quickly.  I sat there for several hours.  I wasn't bored because there was a steady stream of people to watch. 

Two women with a stroller were shopping in the area.  They walked past me six different times.  They didn't make eye contact once.  Many crossed the street before they had to pass me.  The first person who approached me wanted to sell me drugs.  I wasn't interested.  I was grateful for the timing, had he been the last, I might have been tempted.  One gentleman was especially nice and gave me all the change in his pocket which was $1.70.  He also stayed an talked to me and told me about a Church that had a lunch program.  He advised that in addition to offering nourishment, there were really good people there and maybe someone could help me in other ways to set me on a better path.  He was the only man who spoke to me and it was wonderful.  That is what I missed the most sitting there.  Actual conversation.  I would have been happy if someone had said, "I'd like to help but I don't carry cash, or I'm sorry, I'm struggling myself."  Just conversation.  Just acknowledgement that I was a human being.  Other people did throw in a couple of coins but no conversation and they didn't even make eye contact.  People who stopped at the red light in their cars were interesting.  Some stared at me with pity in their eyes.  One young man rolled down his passenger window and yelled the C word at me, and it was preceded by an adjective (or verb) starting with F.  One senior woman looked at me with hate in her eyes.  Actual hate.  It made me shake.  I wonder what had happened in her life to make her hate me. 

After about 5 hours, I could understand the motivation to become aggressive.  It wasn't about money.  It was about acknowledging me as a human being.  I just wanted someone to talk to.  I knew that it was time to go.   After 5 hours, I had less than $8.  I topped it up to $25 and made a donation to a favorite charity that helps inner-city youth. 

I was anxious for my second part, "Lonely" and to see how people would react.  But, I realized it was Halloween so people would likely think it was some sort of prank or costume.  And, then, the weather turned.  I still plan to do "Lonely" some day next spring.